And no, Brewdog are not collaborating with Ronald McDonald this Christmas.
If you're not feeling festive this year, or would simply rather forego the hassle of cooking an entire turkey dinner- Brewdog have come up with the ultimate solution for Christmas dinner.
Embrace your inner child and opt for a very grown up 'Hoppy Meal' box to enjoy over the Christmas period.
Similar to a McDonald's Happy Meal, the takeaway meal is served from a cardboard box and complete with fries, a burger and a toy.
Image: Brewdog
To make it a festive box, the brewery giants haven't just popped a bauble on the box, but they're serving their special Blitzen Burger: a monster meal in a burger that features all your Christmas favourites, and all the trimmings.
No reindeers included.
Instead, think buttermilk fried turkey, roast gammon, sausage, stuffing, brussel sprout slaw, turkey gravy dipping sauce, garnished with a pig in blanket.
Image: Brewdog
Or for vegans, a plant-based alternative is available that's just as tasty. Derived from a Beyond Meat patty and served with vegan chipotle slaw, vegan gouda cheese, roasted red peppers, baby gem and pickles, all encased between two slices of vegan beetroot brioche buns.
To complete the Hoppy Meal, guests will also receive either sweet potato fries or regular fries and an eco-friendly cracker.
To wash it all down with and to differentiate your meal deal from a Children's portion, the Hoppy Meal also comes with a festive-flavoured drink to wash it all down with: the Hoppy Xmas beer.
Image: Brewdog
Of course, to purchase the entire Hoppy Meal, you must be over 18 and within distance of one of the Brewdog stores to collect from participating stores.
Here in Leeds we have two Brewdogs, one on North Street in the city centre, and the other in Headingley on Otley Road and although neither store have actively promoted the Christmas Hoppy Meal, the stores both stock the non-festive version, so it's fairly likely the staff will accommodate your Hoppy Meal over the Christmas period.
Feature Image- Brewdog
Leeds
Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
20th December 2021 
