Beer is never more than a metre away in this carbon negative hotel in Manchester.
Brewdog is known as one of the latest brands to be taking the beverage business by storm, and naturally the next step after opening up bars and restaurants across the country was for them to open a hotel.
The unique concept is one that's had everyone in Manchester talking for quite some time, so we can't believe we've only just cottoned on to the fact that we can just hop on the train and make it to the North's first craft beer hotel.
Image: Brewdog
Located in the city centre, just five minutes from the Northern Quarter, beer fans can look forward to catching some sleep (or staying up all night) into one of 18 rooms of bespoke BrewDog touches at The Doghouse Hotel. Some of the in-room features include in-shower beer fridges, draught beer taps and fully-loaded mini-bar, plus an epic taproom with 30 taps of craft beer and a rooftop bar perfect for stargazing.
From the moment you walk in, expect there to be plenty of booze. Guests will be greeted with a free beer upon arrival and then following check-in, head up to your chosen room and pour yourself a pint from the built-in draught tap, or open a can from the fully-loaded mini-bar.
Even when showering, beer is only an arm's reach away. The in-shower beer fridges is one of the first of its kind.
To make the most of your mancunian surroundings, guests will be able to enjoy an in-room bluetooth-compatible music system, with guitar and record player, plus a vinyl selection from Piccadilly Records celebrating local Manchester artists.
If that wasn't enough, each epic beer-themed rooms comes with access to a rooftop bar complete with a taco hut and ten taps of top quality beer and for guests who prefer to dine in the comfort of their rooms, there’s a room service menu available 7am-10pm, and for the hotel’s night owls, 24h hotdogs are available.
Image: Brewdog
As a sustainable brand, with booze on their mind, Brewdog is encouraging all customers to minimise their environmental impact upon their stay- it is a carbon negative hotel after all. All guests have the option to be rewarded with free beer for reusing room towels and have access to free Brompton bike hire too.
You don't even have to leave your dog at home when you head over to The Doghouse Manchester. Dog-friendly access includes dog beds, bowls and treats, for overnight guests with four legs and comes as standard in all rooms of the hotel upon request.
Image: Brewdog
Speaking about the Brewdog hotel, co-founder James Watt commented:
“DogHouse Manchester marks a new era for the craft beer revolution. In the last ten years we’ve turned the craft beer scene on its head and are once again demonstrating the power of beer. As always, our army of Punks fuels every mission and the DogHouse is just a small part of the epic journey we’re making together.
“From welcome pints of Punk, to in-shower beer fridges; The DogHouse is our gift to the passionate and dedicated army of beer fans that have supported us every step of the way. We are nothing without our community and this hotel celebrates that... and where better to do it than in one of the UK’s greatest cities?
“With our DogHouse hotels, we want to inspire a new kind of hospitality experience, combining our biggest passions: travel and incredible beer - with sustainability at its core.”
Image: Brewdog
It's even the perfect place to grab a beer if you're doing Dry January- in fact, that's the best-value way to spend your time at Brewdog as their bars are offering unlimited alcohol-free pints.
Essentially, you can get free refills of all your favourite pints for the price of one- what’s not to love about that? Bestsellers like the original Punk IPA are available in the offer, just transformed to remove the alcoholic part- forming Punk AF, soon to be your new favourite Dry Jan alternative.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
Sophie Smith -
12th January 2022 
