Drop Project… worth a detour to get there

BY BILL LACY

Why did I decide to trudge around an industrial estate in a forgotten part of south London?

I wondered this, as I got lost in the sea of non-descript trading units, the only slightly interesting sight a sign of the Michelin man changed to the Mitcham man.

But my patience paid out as I reached on my destination, the brilliant Drop Project brewery.

No stumbling across this place – you have to know it is here.

The circuit of brewery taprooms has led to many a strange wander, but this one was particularly off-grid.

The inside was in keeping with the trading unit surroundings – the vast ceiling and exposed breeze-blocks was exactly as I imagined.

This is a working brewery after all – with the bar in the same single space as the brewing kit, an impressive sight proudly showed off by the passionate owners.

I loved the tour and the beer chat with the passionate owners, steeped in the trade and bursting with passion and expertise.

Sometimes when I think I know about beer I think of these guys, and change my mind.

The canning line was fascinating, made even more so by the fact that I don’t know how the hell it works. And their green credentials are immaculate – for every 100 beers sold at the taproom, they plant a tree.

But the beer is the real draw here. The freshest samples of what must be one of the most interesting breweries in this part of the city.

Everything is good – Glassy, a moreish, slightly sweet Pilsner; the cherry heaven sour, Tree Love; the coconut and vanilla imperial stout Voyage, rated by everyone who has tried it; and Crush, the New England you got back to again and again.

Where there’s beer, there must be food. In this case, it’s top notch barbecue from The Dragon Flame.

The menu is small but punchy, delivering on the flavour front – dry-aged beef pastrami bun, pork rotisserie with burnished pineapple salsa, smoky porky bun, half rotisserie chicken, dry-age beef sausage, and smoked aubergine and pepper salad. And if that’s not enough, chow down on beef fat potatoes.

You can’t just pop in when you want – Drop Project is only open for the first weekend every month. During my visit, a big screen was set up for the rugby and there was a great atmosphere about the place – the scarcity of its opening no doubt adding to the buzz.

As the Michelin (or Mitcham) guide says, worth a detour to get here.

In February, Drop Project opens again for a second time on 24th, for the whole weekend.

Go to www.drop-project.co.uk for more information.

Drop Project, Unit 8 Willow Business Centre, 17 Willow Lane, Mitcham, CR4 4NX.

 

Pictures: Bill Lacy – Drop Project