February 23, 2012

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The Otley Run in Leeds

January 6, 2012 By Corey Lyons

Headingley is a home away from home for students studying in Leeds. It can be difficult moving away from the place where you grew up, but Headingley welcomes you with open arms.

It is a mecca for students from around the country. There is so much to do – it is sometimes difficult to remember why you are in the city in the first place. Most of the activities include alcohol, naturally.

You are not a student in Leeds until you have taken on the Otley Run. For those who don’t know, the Otley Run is a pub crawl which consists of around 18 bars and pubs along Otley Road and towards Leeds city centre. The challenge is to drink a pint of lager in each place, or alternatively a half pint or single unit.

Few finish the run. It is not uncommon to see Batman or Darth Vader slumped across a bench in the heart of Headingley during the week. Most fall around the eighth or ninth hurdle, cut their losses and stay in The Skyrack or The Original Oak.

The Otley Run isn’t limited to students – it is just as popular with locals, of all ages. Birthdays, stag dos, hen dos, St Partick’s Day – any excuse to raid fancy dress stores and head out on the trail.

It can be difficult choosing a drink when you are out on the Otley Run. Beer goes down a treat at first, a bottle of Foster’s Gold hits the spot nicely, but slows you down eventually. Try to move on to spirits and mixers later in the evening and, of course, make sure you eat.

There is a lot more to Leeds and Headingley than the Otley Run, but it is a great place to start.

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Choose beer this Christmas

December 19, 2011 By Corey Lyons

Millions and millions of pints of beer will be consumed over the Christmas period. Pubs and bars are bursting at the seams as people up and down the country get into the festive spirit. It is a good time to be a pub landlord!
There is so much choice out there these days – it is easy to get carried away and make a fool out of yourself. Whilst that can be entertaining for those around you, there is a lot to be said for slowing down and enjoying your drinks. For a start, it will make for a cheaper night!
Beer has become so versatile – you should no longer worry about being labelled a beer drinker if you are caught with a beer in your hand. Light and refreshing fruity beers are becoming increasingly popular and offer an attractive alternative for women who don’t want to lose their femininity while they are out on the town.
Beer has fast become one of the most attractive options available in bars. Bottles are so well packaged nowadays that they almost scream at you from the fridge, whilst the ice cold taps draw you in while you are stuck in seemingly endless queues. Premium lager still remains the drink of choice for many.
One of the most popular premium lagers on the market at the moment is Fosters Gold Beer. The clean, crisp taste – coupled with the cool image built through the recent ads starring singer and actress Holly Valance – has made the lager increasingly popular with men in their early 20s.
So why drink beer over the Christmas period? It is cheaper than the alternatives, not as strong, which will go some way to keeping your reputation intact, and tastes even better than ever.
Right – time for a beer!

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Why go for beer?

November 18, 2011 By Corey Lyons

Just like millions of other men around the planet, one of my favourite pastimes is drinking beer. There’s a lot to be said for the simple pleasure to be gained from a refreshing beer or lager at the end of a hard day’s work.

Of course, I no longer drink to the excesses that I was guilty of from time to time in my younger days. These days, I enjoy drinking in moderation, and find that I enjoy the actual taste of my beer and lager a lot more as a result.

One of the things that I most enjoy about beer and lager drinking is the sheer choice that there is out there these days, in pubs, in bars and from supermarkets and off-licences. As well as the usual lagers and beers, there are real ales, fruit beers and bottled premium lagers galore to choose from; we’re spoilt for choice!

I find that the real ales are ideal if you’re looking for something really flavoursome and tasty, and are perfect for enjoying with a hearty meal. The premium bottled lagers on the other hand are crisp, cool and refreshing, and so are perfect for a sunny summer’s day or if you just really need something to quench your thirst. And then there are the fruit beers, which are ideal if you have a sweet tooth or just fancy something with a bit of a fruity kick.

And the great thing about all this choice is that you can find a lager or beer perfect for any occasion; beer drinking no longer has to be left for evenings in the pub. Lighter beers can make a great party drink and I often have a beer with a meal rather than wine.

Right, I’m off to put up my feet and crack open a refreshing beer. Cheers!

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