Wimbledon area - Bottle shops

Discussion in 'United Kingdom & Ireland' started by rob133, Apr 10, 2013.

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  1. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California

    We are flying into Heathrow next month and before driving up to sort out some family matters in Liverpool my wife and I plan to stop over at The Cannizaro house in Wimbledon for a night (or maybe two). I've stayed there a few times in the past, but the last time was maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Just looking for any suggestions on the best pub around those parts. I know there are a couple around the corner (Crooked Billet, Hand in Hand) and a load on the high street. As I am likely only there one night (and jet lagged) anyone got any preferences? Foodwise and/or just a solid selection on tap?

    Also as I am heading up to Liverpool (and fairly confident on not really finding a decent bottle shop due to time constraints) I was wondering if there were any local bottle shops to the Wimbledon area? I see Nelson wines on Merton Way is not far, so I should check that out, and reviews indicate a decent lambic selection which is ideal. any other local suggestions, baring in mind I have limited tie to drive around before getting on the road out of town?

    It's a long shot, but chances of somewhere like Nelson Wines carrying Cantillon? If there is room in my suitcase for anything it will be for bottles to bring back to California.
     
    #1 rob133, Apr 10, 2013
  2. shyhenry

    shyhenry Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Minnesota

    Nelson Wines is actually pretty decent. Good prices and friendly service. They sometimes have Cantillon.

    Wimbledon is pretty out of the way, so I'm not down there often. The Trafalgar and Hand in Hand are supposedly OK. I've never been to either. Bearing with the jet lag and traveling out of the neighborhood may be a decent option. If you're willing to hop on the District Line, you could make the 15 minute trip to the White Horse on Parsons Green. It's a pretty posh pub, but they do offer good food and 20ish taps. Their cask offerings are sort of conservative but there's usually some crazier stuff on keg. I had Plead the 5th on tap there last month. The large bottle list includes sours.

    The Hope in Carshalton isn't too far either, but you'd probably have to get a cab or drive down there. Everyone I know who's been has raved about it.
     
    #2 shyhenry, Apr 14, 2013
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  3. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California

    Thanks - trip has been moved up to later this week, likely it will just be in the direct vicinity -but will see if the wife can be persuaded by decent food at the White Horse.

    I'll do a bit more research on your suggestions and take it from there- thanks again
     
    #3 rob133, Apr 15, 2013
  4. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California

    P.S. Nelson wines - still has odd opening hours? i.e 6pm during the week. any updates on that? i mailed him, but no reply yet. Thanks
     
    #4 rob133, Apr 15, 2013
  5. Aye

    Aye Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 England

    Drink of Fulham on Fulham Palace Rd isn't far from Parsons Green
    http://drinkoffulham.com/

    It has a couple of Cantillion varietals in according to the website.
     
    #5 Aye, Apr 15, 2013
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  6. shyhenry

    shyhenry Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Minnesota

    Yeah, think it's only open in the evening.

    As Aye mentioned, Drink Of Fulham's a possibility too. They usually only carry the most common loons (geuze, kriek) in 375ml bottles. Prices are a bit excessive in my opinion.
     
    #6 shyhenry, Apr 15, 2013
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  7. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California


    Define excessive? I'm coming from California, where when bottles land they don't stay on the shelves (or often reach the shelves) and prices are not exactly cheap. The recent surge in popularity has not only hit availability over here but given some ability to price hike.
     
    #7 rob133, Apr 15, 2013
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  8. shyhenry

    shyhenry Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Minnesota

    Sure. In the UK I'd expect to pay maybe £4-5 for a 375ml of Cantillon geuze from a good bottle shop. As far as I can remember, Drink were charging something like £7-8 on my last visit in August. Pretty much in line with what a bar would charge. As we have decent access to sours here, Drink's price point is something I'd balk at. As you don't have great access to those beers in CA, Drink's prices might still be intriguing.
     
    #8 shyhenry, Apr 15, 2013
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  9. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California

    Managed to get a few pints in the Hand and Hand, which were pretty good. Went to Nelson Wines on the Saturday afternoon after seeing on the website it was open at 1:30 - hung around until close to 2, phoned the number a few times, but the local shop owners seemed to think it was only open in the evenings.....never got a chance to go back.

    Ended up rushing up to Liverpool a little earlier than anticipated, and due to the nature of the visit spend a lot more time drinking bottles than pints (other than John Smiths). Still managed to sample the line up of Marks and Spencer beers, and a large number of local beers (in bottles) thanks to the sister operation of the Ship and Mitre in Liverpool. A nice little bottle shop http://www.theshipinabottle.co.uk/ . Great selection of beer, including a few nice Belgium ones that I was happy to pick up.
     
    #9 rob133, May 6, 2013
  10. CwrwAmByth

    CwrwAmByth Grand Pooh-Bah (3,113) Jan 24, 2011 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Bank holiday. Should've just hopped on the tube and visited the Kernel!
     
    #10 CwrwAmByth, May 6, 2013
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  11. rob133

    rob133 Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2009 California


    I guess it was 3 Saturday's ago I was there, family things in Liverpool prevented a longer stay around Wimbeldon
     
    #11 rob133, May 6, 2013
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