Morrisons are selling cans of Northern Monk beer made with real Jam Roly Polys, and we are just a little bit obsessed.
The UK supermarket first teamed up with Aunt Bessie’s and local Leeds brewery Northern Monk to sell the iconic brews in 2022, and it is sure to hit the nostalgia meters of roly-poly lovers up and down the country.
The one-of-a-kind Northern Monk beer left some fans skeptical at first, leading the team to put out a statement reassuring drinkers it wasn’t an April Fool last year.
Sharing the news on social media, Aunt Bessie’s wrote at the time: “NEW. This was no April fool, we have once again reunited with our favourite brewery.
“@NMBCo to bring you the UK’s only Jam & Custard Pale Ale, back by popular demand and based on our Aunt Bessie’s fan favourite: Jam Roly Poly
✨NEW✨ This was no April fool, we have once again reunited with our favourite brewery @NMBCo to bring you the UK’s only Jam & Custard Pale Ale, back by popular demand and based on our Aunt Bessie’s fan favourite: Jam Roly Poly 🍓
Priced at just £3 for a 330ml can, it’s also proving quite the steal amongst Northern Roly Poly lovers and comes as part of a pack of four.
Also included in the 4.5% ABV four pack is a Roast Dinner Brown Ale, Apple Crumble and Custard Pale Ale, and a Sticky Toffee Pudding Porter.
Shoppers can also pick up a single 440ml of the Apple Crumble and Custard Pale Ale. The four pack is £5.50 and the single can £2.50 in Morrisons.
Aunt Bessie’s is well known for its freezer tea classics, which span its famous Yorkshire Puddings as well as lesser-known items like chips and fries, meat joints, roasted potatoes, dumplings, and stuffing.
The company has previously collaborated with Northern Monk in the past to deliver a Yorkshire Pudding beer, too, although there is sadly no suggestion of it making a reappearance any time soon.
However, another Yorkshire brewery in Malton does sell a cracking Yorkshire Pudding beer if you find yourself hankering for a taste this weekend.
Made with real Yorkshires, these are soaked in Malton Brewery’s secret selection of Malts in the Mash Tun to imbue the beer with the ultimate Yorkshire flavour.
Once that has happened the team then adds in a blend of special hops to form the second part of the Yorkshire Pudding Beer, with every single bottle containing half a Yorkshire pudding.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Georgina Pellant -
15th August 2023 
