London’s first Vegetarian Society-approved brewery is opening this week. Clarkshaws also uses only British ingredients, including traditional floor malt, and has full farm-to-beer traceability.

clarkshaws0913The brewery’s launch beers are Gorgon’s Alive, a golden beer made with Challenger and Progress hops and matured for longer than usual, and Phoenix Rising, an easy-drinking session ale with hints of spice and chocolate made from Phoenix hops.

Next on the roster are Hellhound, a sophisticated IPA full of hops, and Strange Brew, which is being kept firmly under wraps.

Clarkshaws grew out of directors Ian Clark and Lucy Grimshaw’s (pictured) enthusiasm for home brewing and wine making. Ian went to Brewlab to learn more about commercial brewing, after which the couple decided to make the idea of a brewery a reality.

Ian said: “It’s been really exciting to grow a brewery starting with nothing but an empty industrial unit in south-east London, and generous amounts of good intention. We’re thrilled to have made such progress in four months and look forwards to supplying the local area with our vegetarian friendly cask ale.”

Basedd in East Dulwich, London, Clarkshaws will supply to pubs across south and central London. CAMRA pub of the year 2010-11, the Harp, is an early stockist, along with local pubs The Cherry Tree and Herne Tavern in East Dulwich. The beers will also be at beer festivals including Nottingham and Egham.