Northern Monk brewery is hosting the UK's first hop-led beer festival this weekend.
Taking place at its Sydenham Road brewery site for the first time ever, it will bring over 100 different beers down this weekend over the course of two days - kicking things off on Friday 6 August.
Local breweries confirmed to attend include Kirkstall, Northern Monk (of course), and Bundobust with a huge amount of UK breweries turning up across the weekend.
UK brews appearing over the duration of the festival will come from the likes of Bonzoko, Newtown Park, Future State, Neon Raptor, Deya, Mash Gang, Alpha Delta, Floc, North, Pipeline, Vicington, Polly's, Wylam, Beak, Track, Buxton, Zafato, Overtone, Pomona Island, Verdant, Boxcar, Mikkeller and Amity.
Beer lovers are completely spoilt for choice - and that's not all, as there's going to be some great street food and music going down here too.
Parmogeddon will be rocking up to Hop City this weekend / Image: Parmogeddon
There'll be four different food caterers rocking up over the weekend, including the legendary Parmogeddon and Manchester's Kong's Chicken Shop with their must-try fried chicken sandwiches - which incorporate an extra layer of chicken skin 'crackling' for extra texture and flavour.
Kong's are also known for their tater tots and fried chicken wings, which can be ordered either wet or dry depending how you like them.
And on the music front, across two days we'll see the likes of DJ Food, DJ Format, DJ Cheeba and FIngathing take to the decks as well as enjoying some live music from Leeds' exciting forward-thinking jazz-punk band Vipertime on Friday.
Vipertime will be making an appearance on Friday, 6 August / Image: Viper Time
Manchester's Jermain Peterson, meanwhile, will be bringing the soothing soul sounds on Saturday afternoon, followed by a closing DJ set from Dave Stone of Wylam Brewery fame.
It looks set to be a mega weekend, with free-flowing beer, an eclectic music line-up and some mouthwatering food traders all lined up for the weekend.
Further breweries set to attend include Other Half, Aslin, Tripping Animals, The Answer, Vitamin Sea, Great Notion, Equilibrium, Suds and Soda, Sierra Navada.
For the full list, head to Hop City's Instagram page here.
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Independent Leeds bookshop raises money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to ‘deface’ Harry Potter books
A bookshop in Leeds is inviting its customers to vandalise Harry Potter books for charity.
Well, this is definitely one we haven't seen before.
The Bookish Type on Great George Street in Leeds is a fabulous independently-owned queer bookshop that prides itself on being a safe space for all.
They're raising money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to vandalise Harry Potter novels for just 25p per go.
A bargain if you ask us, and all for a good cause. And don't worry, all the books are second hand and have been donated.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not understanding the immediate connection between the two, then allow us to fill you in.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the famous Harry Potter novels, has over recent years expressed transphobic comments and anti-trans political beliefs on social media.
Yesterday, Wednesday 25 March, the trailer for the new HBO Max Harry Potter series was released which has encouraged many people to speak out against Rowling and claim she should no longer be supported.
So, The Bookish Type are showing support for the trans community and asking those who feel frustrated to have a doodle and whilst they're at it, donate to a good cause.
If you're not able to make it into the shop, The Bookish Type have said "You will soon be able to donate online and we will personally deface a page with your message/doodle/scribble."
We're absolutely obsessed.
Find out more about The Bookish Type and if you can, pop in for a browse and a doodle whilst you're at it.
Featured image - The Bookish Type Leeds (Supplied)
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Leeds to be transformed into a giant board game as Trivial Pursuit takes over the city
Clementine Hall
Leeds is set to become a giant board game this summer as Trivial Pursiot arrives in the city centre to celebrate a landmark moment in its history.
To mark 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter, LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) is transforming the city into a live interactive version of Hasbro’s iconic Trivial Pursuit board game, inviting residents and visitors to test their knowledge of all things Leeds.
It follows the huge success of the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover back in summer 2024 and this year, LeedsBID is once again working with leading game, IP and toy company Hasbro to bring another of its iconic games to life.
This time, the focus is on the stories, achievements and surprising facts that have shaped Leeds over four centuries.
Running from 25 July to 30 August 2026, the free experience will see participants journey across the city centre answering questions and collecting wedges, just like the classic trivia game.
Key locations will represent the six traditional Trivial Pursuit categories: Entertainment, Geography, Sports & Leisure, Science and Nature, History, and Art & Literature.
Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro said: “After the incredible response to the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover in 2024, we’re proud to collaborate with LeedsBID once again to reimagine another iconic brand in a bold new way.
"This is exactly how we think about Global Experiences at Hasbro - taking our brands beyond the table and creating experiences that are social, shareable and deeply connected to the communities they celebrate."
Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “TRIVIAL PURSUIT Leeds is about celebrating everything about this great city, from those headline facts and figures people know to the lesser-known surprising details and discoveries.
“LeedsBID’s raison d’etre is to put Leeds on the map and tell the stories and successes of the city. Trivial Pursuit Leeds is doing just that, providing a free, fun and entertaining activity for all ages while sharing new and interesting achievements of this amazing place.”
Georgina Pellant -
6th August 2021 
