Proper Shorts & Southpaw Sips: Soho Shade at The Clachan (Beer #4968)
Quick Summary
- JT logs Beer #4968, Southpaw Amber Ale, at The Clachan in Soho, London, a classic English pub, capturing both nostalgia and ambiance.
- The pub features classic design elements, attentive bartenders, and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Southpaw Amber Ale offers a smooth, balanced taste, reminding JT of his rock, his mom.
- A humorous encounter with a well-dressed gentleman leads to shared stories and laughter, embodying the joy of travel.
- JT rates Southpaw Amber a 3.5, praising its taste and the sentimental moments it fostered.
From the Desk of JT, the Beer Logger (B-Logger)
Mission: 50 Beers to 5000 – Having a blast, with beer!
Beer #4968
Location: The Clachan, Soho, London
Beer: Southpaw Amber Ale – Gipsy Hill Brewing Co. (London, UK)
Vibe: Classic English pub meets sun-soaked tourist daydream
Mood: Nostalgic, amused, and quietly grateful for friendly shade
🍺 Soho Sessions: Day Two, Round Who-Knows
Soho could keep a beer lover busy for days — winding lanes, old taverns, modern gastros, and that rare London energy where history and happy hour blur together. On this particular sunny afternoon, I wandered into The Clachan, a Nicholson’s Freehouse tucked near the edges of Oxford Circus.
It’s one of those spots that checks every “proper pub” box:
- Stained glass, dark wood, ornate ceilings
- Bartenders who call you “mate” whether you deserve it or not
- Locals who know exactly where to stand (and where not to)
I ordered up a Southpaw Amber Ale from Gipsy Hill Brewing, a local London favorite. The name alone caught me — Southpaw, the lefty. My mom was a proud lefty, and my rock. This one’s for her.
🛢️ A Toast to the Left-Handed Legends
The Southpaw poured a glowing copper-orange, with that slightly caramel nose that amber fans crave. But the real story was personal — every sip felt like a little tribute.
It’s not often you find a beer that fits both your day and your memories, but this one did. Smooth, balanced, and quietly confident. Just like Mom.
- Vibe Check: English pub perfection
- Drinkability Level: “I could have two, easy.”
- Accent Jealousy Factor: 8/10 (and that’s just from the bartender)
- Crowd Energy: Chatty but polite — a working-lunch kind of crowd
- Surprise Factor: Emotional pint + comedic side plot incoming
🎩 Shade Served with Style
Now, onto that side story — a moment that could only happen in an English pub.
As I was wrapping up my video review outside (shorts, t-shirt, sun blazing, happy tourist energy at 100%), a well-dressed gentleman at the bar was having none of it. He looked over, raised an eyebrow, and muttered to the bartender:
“I wouldn’t serve him again.”
Ouch? Maybe. But also? Hilarious.
I finished filming, laughed it off, and decided to go back inside for another look — and another pint. The gentleman and his wife were still there, so I strolled up and said something like:
“Sir, I think you were right — these shorts are terribly offensive.”
He laughed. She laughed. And before long, we were chatting like old mates, sharing stories and a few jokes about fashion, heat, and British etiquette.
🌞 Pint-Sized Diplomacy
That moment summed up everything I love about travel — strangers tossing shade, then sharing smiles. A beer later, we were joking about the weather and the absurdity of London hitting 80°F (27°C).
He was the kind of person I’d have enjoyed meeting again — someone with personality, pride, and a bit of cheek. But like many good travel stories, that was our one scene together. No encore. Just a memory, sealed in foam and laughter.
🍻 The B-Logger’s Takeaway
A sunny day, a classic pub, a sentimental beer, and a classy heckler turned mate — that’s a full chapter in the London logbook.
Southpaw Amber earns a 3.5, not just for taste but for timing.
To Mom, to good-natured shade, and to always wearing what you want — especially when the weather demands it.
