Pre-Punk in London

I have been a huge fan of punk music for a long time, but I kow little about what came before that genre. I wanted to learn more about the genres of music that could be considered pre-punk music, and, a particular beer provided me with an opportunity to dive headfirst into that proverbial pit. 

The name of that beer is Pre-Punk in London, which was produced by the brewers at Dogfish Head's brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. According to those brewers, this beer "harkens back to the off-centered feel of pre-punk London, when things were calm but with an underlying sense of something coming." Reading this description got me to thinking: so what exactly was pre-punk London?

The answer takes us to Ladbroke Grove, a name for a street and a neighborhood in western London. The area served as a focal point for the counterculture in the 1960s. Mick Farren, an English musician and author, decribed Ladbroke Grove and its residents as "an enclave freaks, immigrants and bohemians...." Some of the people who walked the streets at the time included, besides Farren, the likes of Joe Strummer, Lemmy Kilmister, and Stuart Goddard (who would become better known as Adam Ant). The "feel" of those in Ladbroke Grove at the time was anti-war and anti-establishment. 

It is from this area that the genre of proto-punk, along with bands like The Deviants (which Mick Ferran was a part of) and The Clash, emerged. Proto-punk is usually described as "stripped down" or "minimalist," but aggressive and high-energy. It gave us songs like White Riot (The Clash) and  Slumlord (Deviants). Or, in the United States, it was songs like Kick Out the Jams (MC5) or Trash (New York Dolls). These songs and bands, along with many others, set the stage for what followed, most notably, punk music itself.

I tried two versions of the Pre-Punk in London, first the cask version (which would perhaps come closest to how this beer should be served in the first place) and then the regular version. At first sight, the beer falls nearly into an Ordinary Bitter style, sporting amber or copper hues. A slight, off-white foam graced the top of the liquid, but that receded relatively quickly. 

The brewers describe the beer as having an "aroma of subtle fruit and citrus notes with a malty backbone." I could identify that "malty backbone," as well as a hint of citrus on the aroma. As for the taste, the brewers write of notes like "sweet bready malt, brown sugar and balanced citrus." The bready malt and even a sweetness (perhaps brown sugar) were present for me. The citrus was present, reminding me that this is a bitter ale. 

If I could find this beer on a store shelf, I would buy the Pre-Punk in London. A low ABV, English Ordinary Bitter just seems punk to me and perfect for relaxing while The Stooges play in the background and I delve even further into the roots, reaching into garage rock and even skiffle. Meanwhile, if you find yourself in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, head over to Dogfish Head Alehouse and have a Pre-Punk in London. It is definitely worth it. 

PEACE.