Football and beer go hand-in-hand. The best place to watch a game can be on the couch, although you could be missing out on the delights tasty ales that specific regions have to offer, while offering the perfect chance for a getaway.

We’ll now break down two of the best cities in the United Kingdom to watch the footie and then sample some quality real ales.

Leeds

The city is home to the football club Leeds United and their stadium Elland Road. It provides a unique atmosphere and their matches are always entertaining. Even their manager Marcelo Bielsa makes life very interesting to say the least. There’s never a dull moment, especially considering the Peacocks are battling to return to the Premier League and can be backed in the Championship betting odds at 1/3 to win promotion. After watching one of their frenetic home games, you can return to the city centre for the night out.

Let’s give a three cheers to Mosaic Mike ( @mikestaproom ) seen here doing a guided beer sampling in our pub! Whitelock’s is proud to be part of Mike’s heritage beer tour as a integral part of Leeds beer history. Chin chin! 🍺 pic.twitter.com/nndXToWO32

A good place to start could be Leeds’ oldest pub – Whitelock’s Ale House. It features numerous real ales for all tastes along with serving delicious food to soak it all up. Whitelock’s has been included on CAMRA’s good beer guide 34 times out of 40 years of reviews.

North Bar and The Ship Inn also offer the full taste of Yorkshire, offering regional flavours. Yorkies always know their beer and the fact the two pubs are highly rated on Google’s reviews speaks volumes about their quality. Most of the pubs are within walking distance of each other, making it very handy and affordable for manoeuvring around on the night.
Manchester

There is more than a healthy rivalry between Leeds and Manchester – dating back all the way to the War of the Roses in the battles between the house of York and Lancaster. The Manchester football teams have been a lot more successful that the Whites.

United dominated the Premier League in the 1990s and early 2000s, and although they’ve struggled of late, it’s still worth a visit to Old Trafford – one of the most famous football grounds in the world. Manchester City are playing outstanding football and are one of the best teams in the world. It’s a joy to watch them at the peak of their powers at the Etihad Stadium. Try to get to both, but if you’re picking one City are the team to watch.

Today’s keg line-up

Featuring:@cloudwaterbrew @BlackIrisBrewer @RunawayBrewery @LittleEarthBeer @jesterkingbeer @kernelbrewery @prairieales @trackbrewco @BundobustMCR @MagicRockBrewCo

#PSBHdraft pic.twitter.com/TaTpcC3RxF

After the game you can head into town for a night out. Port Street Beer House has a stellar reputation offering hundreds of real ales in their basement pub. The Marble Arch also offers some of the best craft ale in Lancashire, while the food menu is also very enticing for lovers of steak.

On the west side of the city, The Knott claims to be the ultimate spot for craft beer, while The Briton’s Protection is also a short walk away and you can put the two bars to the test for the best ale on offers in the Deansgate region. There’s no shortage on quality pubs in Manchester and it’s certainly one of the liveliest places in the United Kingdom to visit.

You might not expect it, but Miami is one of the hotbeds of German culture in America. The 62nd Oktoberfest Miami is held every year during the second and third weekends of October. It’s one of the longest-running celebrations of German culture put on by the German American Social Club. It’s also the longest continuously-running Oktoberfest in the United States. The annual celebration will take place in Miami’s horse country at Miller Drive. This year’s Oktoberfest Miami will take place on Oct. 11–13 and 18–20.

The Event

The Miami chapter of the German American Social Club was founded in 1949. The Club first celebrated Oktoberfest nine years later in 1958. The Miami version of the event is the longest-running Oktoberfest in Florida. The event also owns the distinctions of being South Florida’s largest German cultural. Over the decades of putting it on, the organizers have refined the offerings while keeping the things that multiple generations of German Americans (and non-German Americans alike!) have come to expect and love.

Oktoberfest Miami is a celebration of German culture that includes live performances of German music and German folk dancing. It’s the real deal. There is also food and beer at the event that is popular in German culture. Magicians, bounce houses, and a large open field will be available for the enjoyment of children.

Miami Area Accommodations

The city of Miami is a year-round tourist attraction that is a destination of visitors from around the world. Individuals interested in Miami Hotels should take a close look at Hyatt Regency Miami. The hotel is located in the trendy Brickell neighborhood and offers guests upscale design comforts. The Mandarin Oriental, Miami is another hot choice. Situated on Brickell Key and surrounded by crystal blue water, it’s one of the city’s best luxury hotels.

Things to Do in Miami

Individuals in town for Oktoberfest who will be in search of other entertainment while visiting Miami will possess no shortage of options from which to choose.

Frost Science Museum

The Frost Museum of Science allows visitors to explore a variety of science topics that include the human body and the solar system. The education visitors will receive pertaining to nature and society has become a priceless part of the vacation of many travelers.

Wynwood

This prominent entertainment district is known for the vibrant and colorful walls it possesses. Visitors to the district will enjoy some of the best shopping, eating, and dancing experiences available in the city of Miami.

History of Miami Museum

The Historical Museum of South Florida is located not far from the Hyatt Regency Miami and features exhibits that tell the story of the southern portion of the state, as well as, the Caribbean Islands. There is also a research center and gift store present in the museum.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Visitors to Miami that appreciate the performing arts will enjoy an evening at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Dance productions, Broadway shows, and concerts are all on the schedule at the center.

Homestead Speedway

This motor racing track is located a little bit away from the city of Miami in Homestead, Florida. There are several configurations available at the track and it has played host to major races like NASCAR, the Championship Cup Series, and the Rolex Sports Car Series.

Hard Rock Stadium

The Oktoberfest Miami takes place in the heart of the football season for both college and professional football teams in the area. Football fans can catch a game played by the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes, or another guest team at the Hard Rock Stadium while in town for Oktoberfest Miami.

The primary reason of successful restaurants isn’t simply to serve some of the best tasting food that possesses power of making you feel at peace, that bursts your taste buds and has you craving for more. Instead, it also includes that the eateries offer immensely customer-friendly environments, with their employees being very considerate of their preferences.

Burwood, the peaceful suburb of Melbourne, is the place where one can find a number of delicious restaurants serving various cuisines at all price levels. Even vegetarians would have no issues in having vegan meals due to increase in vegan and vegan-friendly eateries opening up in the suburb. Hence, be it the authentic Italian food, delectable Mediterranean cuisine or wholesome Asian dishes, Burwood serves it all.

Below are just a few of the best restaurants in Burwood to head to:

CAFES

The Picnic Burwood:

Specializing in serving aromatic coffee and teas, Picnic Burwood is the ideal spot to have light and fresh café food. Not only are its concoctions immensely rich, but the interior is very picturesque too. in addition to this, the staff is quite helpful and recommends dishes to customers’ adequate tastes and wishes.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE

Sahara by the Park:

The eatery has been around for more than 2 decades and serves scrumptious and authentic Tutkish cuisine. By following secret family recipes, the restaurant uses special spice blends to deliver supreme tastes and textures. From salads, to tender roasted meat and freshly baked pides, Sahara by the Park is a must visit place in Burwood.

Buddha Raksa Thai:

Buddha Raksa is the ‘go to’ place that serves highly flavorful Thai dishes at reasonable prices. Their home deliveries are quick and for the people wishing to dine in, they need not make any reservations either. Some of their main dishes to order include pad thai, flavorsome crab fried rice and creamy, rich duck curry.

Geppetto’s Italian Burwood:

Interiorly designed to give off artistic warehouse vibes, the eatery is decorated being inspired by Geppetto, the maker of Pinocchio. The restaurant offers traditional, home-style cooked Italian recipes. Geppetto’s serves a wide variety of concoctions, ranging from salads and fresh pastas to wholesome main courses including their special Nonna’s Meatballs and finger-licking authentic pizzas.

SWEETS AND DESSERTS

Aunt Lil’s:

Open each day of the week, Aunt Lil’s caters to the cravings of all vegetarians and is one of the best vegetarian friendly eateries in the suburb. They serve super soft and fresh pretzels with toppings if requested by the customers. Their dairy-free milk and exquisite vegan desserts make you feel revitalized and immensely at home; sinfully amazing.

Conclusion:

Burwood, even though a suburb, gives the locals and travelers both such memorable experiences. The concept of good eateries- in terms of prices and quality both- is certainly not foreign for Burwood. The scenic bliss of the area in addition to the abundance of remarkable restaurants makes Burwood one of the best spots to visit in the Land of Kangaroos.

As a lady who is in love, it is only natural to want to impress your better-half. A well-organized picnic is one of the simplest ways of expressing your undying love.

Picnic ideas could range from naughty treats to sweet and simple. It all depends on what both of you are into.

Without further ado, let’s look at how to plan the perfect picnic for your picnic and your significant other.

Places to go

Before you go out looking for those romantic world recipes, a lot of thought has to be put into the location. Think of whether you would prefer to go to a private or public area. Once you have made up your mind, look for unique areas in your locality.

Some of the places you could consider include:

• Gardens
• Parks
• Building rooftops
• Along water sceneries like rivers and valleys
• On a boat
• On the hillside where you have a scenic view of the valley.

These are just a few of the places you could go to. Feel free to go to other places of your choosing. As simple as it may look, get the spot and make it a special place for both of you.

What to prepare

Below are some of the things you should prepare beforehand

• Get an old-fashioned picnic basket. This will help bring a romantic mood to it. Also, avoid using paper plates. Instead, bring real cutlery.
• Take the time to prepare a romantic menu. There are millions of romantic recipes on the Internet that you could make use of. Desserts like ice cream, chocolates, and strawberries are a must-have for any romantic rendezvous.
• Buy champagne. Do not forget to pack champagne glasses and be careful how you carry them because they tend to be fragile.
• Get a luxurious and comfortable picnic blanket. Make sure it is made from a good fabric that will not itch
• Dress up. Your boyfriend will love it.
• Update your phone’s playlist. Download the latest romantic songs for you to dance to.
• Have activities you love lined up. These could include games like hide-and-seek and bocce
• You could also surprise your boyfriend by carrying candles and flowers.

Other picnic ideas

• Indoor picnic ideas

In case it is during winter, you could opt for an indoor picnic. An indoor picnic is a perfect way to spice up a marriage. You could get the kids to bed early or have them taken away for the weekend.

You could set up the fireplace, place a blanket on the floor, have your hubby bring a bottle of wine. You could prepare some fish, vegetables, and have a bowl of olives nearby.

• Midnight picnic

Nothing says romantic like a picnic out at midnight watching the starts. Prepare a romantic dinner, pack it in containers, move outside and eat your dinner as you watch the stars. Also, carry a bowl packed with pudding.

• Italian picnic

Bring Italian dinner to your home by preparing Italian foods such as lasagna and spaghetti. If you are not a fan of cooking or do not know how to prepare Italian dishes, you could order take out and enjoy it at the comfort of your own home with the one you love.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Food and Beer category.

Burwood is said to be the home to delicious and amazing food. Whether you are looking for continental flavors or want to taste the delightful traditional food, Burwood is a city where you will get it all. Tourists from all parts of countries have appreciated the tastes and flavors of different food restaurants in Burwood. Irrespective of their local flavorings and taste, they have been overwhelmed by the extravagant essence of Burwood food. Some of the amazing restaurants in Burwood include;

1. Legend Hotpot Buffet: As the name suggests, the Legend Hotspot Buffet is arguably the most amazing restaurants in Burwood. It is best known for the wide-ranging buffet with delicious dishes like Sichuan chicken and fruit pudding. The best part about this: the food will be cooked at your very own table in front of you. Locals and tourists adore its unique flavors of Asian delicacies that you may not find elsewhere. Choosing from a diverse menu, people generally start off with soup that ranges a wide variety including the special Pickled Vegetable Broth. The main course is filled with seafood like prawns and fishes. The environment is very appealing with bright and shining lights and comfortable seats around.
2. Base and Bowl: Whosoever wishes to taste the delightful soul touching essence of Burwood should head to Base and Bowl immediately. Situated amidst the busy roads of Burwood, surrounded by bright red walls, the restaurant is best suited for a casual dining outing. The diverse options of the restaurant includes freshly made Italian cuisines that taste heavenly. The garlic prawns are the most admired dish by the locals specially when mixed with the delightful napolitana sauce.
3. Cafe D’or Lebanese & Mediterranean: Cafe D’or Lebanese & Mediterranean is mainly known for its wide ranging Lebanon tastes in cuisines that delight the customers like never before. No matter which dish you try, every dish is assured to be freshly made from the scratch. Customers love the environment there with light music, dance, and ambience. Tourists are suggested to taste the samki h’ara, a grilled fillet that has been filled with tasty chilly garlic sauce topped off with almonds and nuts.
4. The Rusty Rabbit: Whether you are going for a casual outing with you friends or have to attend an office meeting with your colleagues, The Rusty Rabbit is an ideal place for you. Situated in the heart of Burwood, locals love to have the best brunching experience. If one is extremely hungry, they should go for a double stacked cronut that has been dipped in the chocolate topped up with fresh fruits.
5. Sidnees Cafe: Destroyed by fire, the Sidnees Café has been reopened lately with the same flavors and aroma. Offering a shisha bar and dining area, the Sidnees Café is an ideal place for two. People can sit there for hours smoking their favorite flavored shisha pipe. People prefer starting off with a grilled lamb or a grilled octopus that has been garnished with herbs and lemon and herbs. Dive into the main course with delightful African chicken, fresh prawns, and smoked salmons. End your amazing dinner with the heavenly dessert of marshmallow sandwich that are presented with raspberry coulis.

I am passionate about three things in this world: photography, travel and beer. Fortunately for me, these three things go together like peanut butter and jelly on bread.

Brewery tours can be one of the most interesting places to photograph – providing a unique range of subjects from the large, industrial equipment down to the smallest of fascinating details in the brewing process- and always offering you a great opportunity to sample the wares at the end.

Think big

When you think of travel and beer, thoughts naturally go to the famous big breweries around the world: Heineken in Amsterdam; Coors Brewery in Boulder, Colorado; or Carlsburg Beer in Denmark to name a few. And while each of these tours offers a look into the history of the company, and an overview of the brewing process, they are limited in their access to the true manufacturing environment – and may not be the most camera friendly places either.

Look for local

A better option for photography is to look for the local gems in your area. I am fortunate enough to live near the oldest American owned brewery – the D.G. Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, Pa. Their tour not only offers access to the original brewery, down to the tunnels that had to be sealed during Prohibition times, but it also gives an up close tour of the current brewing line – and a sampling of some pretty tasty ales. All making for some great images.

Go for the Crafts

But it is really the rise in popularity in craft beers, which gave rise to the launch of microbreweries around the world, that provides us with the best opportunities to tour, sample and photograph all that is fascinating about beer.

In the US alone, craft brewers grew from only 8 in 1980 to over 6,000 in 2018 according to the Brewers Association. Which means you don’t need to look far to find a unique place to sip and photograph truly unique craft beer.

Find the craft brewery tours

Craft beer microbreweries are becoming so pervasive we tend not to think of them as tour destinations anymore, but merely as a place to meet our friends for a pint after work. Oh sure, you may have a favorite one in your own backyard that you occasionally will remember to take a camera to, but do you ever think to make it a destination? Most microbreweries will offer behind the scenes tours just like the big guys do – but these usually give you a more personal interaction with the brewing process.

Add a quick search as part of your vacation planning to see if you can find breweries that are worth a short drive or weekend get away the next time you travel. Whether it is around your state or around the world, chances are good you can find a craft brewery worthwhile including in your next trip itinerary.

Unique places worth a trip

Some breweries are worthy a trip just for their own sake. Did you know that Svalbard Bryggeri is the northern most location where beer is brewed located 650 miles south of the North Pole? Or that Trappist Monks have been brewing beer in their Sint-Sixtusabdji Monestary in Belgium for centuries? Or try the Weihenstaphan Brewery just outside of Munich, Germany to see the oldest brewery in the world. And look no further than the Church Brew Works in Pittsburg, PA to enjoy a cold one in a truly heavenly setting. The point is, there are as many interesting places to visit breweries, as there are interesting beers to try.

Take the shot

Once you find a great brewery to visit – take advantage of the entire range of photography subjects available to you. And while it is always interesting to focus on the eye catching objects when touring a brewery large or small – the process, the equipment, the finished products rolling off the manufacturing line – try to train your eye to see the small details as well. Look for textures in raw ingredients, or the play of light off small control valves. All are rich in photographic potential and unique to the venue you are in.

And don’t forget the food

I really should add a fourth category in my passions bucket list – and that would be food. Beer and food are kindred souls – which is why so many brewery tours end in tasting rooms that also offer a wide selection of beer themed, beer based, or beer compatible nibbles to eat and photograph while sipping a lager and thumbing through the great images you just took.

So the next time you are planning a trip around the corner or around the world, don’t forget to seek out and visit some of the fascinating craft breweries in the area. You are sure to see some great sights – and try some great beers! And don’t forget your camera – great shots are also there for the taking.

All images copyright Karen Foley via Dreamstime Stock Photography.

Karen Foley is a freelance photographer with a passion for her craft – and for craft beers! See more of her work at karenfoleyphotography.com.

To read more on topics like this, check out the food & beer category.

Everyone knows how obsessed millennials are with eating. We get offended if we are given sub-par food at a restaurant and go berserk slamming the restaurant with bad reviews all around the internet. Rightly so, why should anyone be ripped off for food that does not even taste good. But it is not just food, it is much more than just the taste of food that makes a restaurant a good one. Here are some factors that you should consider to pick the best restaurant to dine in.

The Ambience

Not many people think about the ambience of a restaurant when the food tastes great. However, they should. The ambience forms one of the most important part for customers as it does for the owners, especially when it comes to fine dining. Ambience takes into consideration not just the interior atmosphere of the restaurant but also the location. If a restaurant is located on a food street, it will definitely have a better ambience than a restaurant located in a remote location.

Hygiene

Hygiene, of course is the top priority of any customer at a restaurant. However, where it is a complex feature on how to decide which restaurant is actually clean, the fact of the matter is that nobody would want to dine in a restaurant that is known for having the worst food hygiene rating. This rating will form the basis for what you regard a hygienic restaurant and give you insight into the hygiene practices of a restaurant.

Affordability

Everybody wants great food when they go to dine in, that is a given. However, nobody wants great food at exorbitantly high prices that are not even justified in the quantity of the food. Which is why people might look for the most affordable restaurants in any place. This means that these very restaurants are the most popular ones in an area. For instance, an affordable restaurant in Dockland will have a much better profile according to customers rather than a high-end expensive one.

Customer Service

The customer service is absolutely the make or break for any restaurant anywhere in the world. It is actually not the food in a restaurant that retains the customer. It is the customer service that does. This is why restaurants pay so much attention to their delivery times. The waiters are strictly taught to give the customer waiting times as little as possible and serve the customers as fast as possible. But customer service is not all about just how fast your food gets delivered but also about how professional your staff is. Therefore, conflict management and talking etiquettes are instilled in the staff of any restaurant.

Reviews

The only reason that people go out and give bad reviews for a restaurant over the internet is because these people understand how much reviews mean for the business of a restaurant. When somebody is about to try a restaurant for the first time ever, they look up reviews of that restaurant. If the reviews are not good, the customers will decide to go to a different restaurant – there really is no lack of competition for so many restaurants – and the business goes to that restaurant.

If they like that one restaurant, they will go to the web and give it exceptional review and might even mention how they did not visit the first priority of their restaurant because it had bad reviews. Hence, contributing to an even worse reputation for the first restaurant. It is therefore essential for any restaurant to make sure that their reviews are not bad.

Join the discussion on this topic with Beekman Beer Garden by visiting our contact page.

One of the best parts about traveling is going to restaurants you can’t find anywhere else, although sometimes you just want a good burger. Why not spring for both? When you’re in Waco, Texas, the burger is absolute royalty, and the following four restaurants will have your inner hungry cowboy whistling a happy tune all while washing down the meal with a good craft beer.

Twisted Root Burger Co.

Image via Flickr by sandrafdzh

This restaurant is the king of all Texas burger joints. Created by Jason Boso and Quincy Hart, the first location opened in Dallas in 2009. It was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with Guy Fieri and has since grown to 19 locations across Texas, including Waco. It features build-your-own burgers with exotic meats and toppings and house favorites such as The Spicy Goat, The Kevin Bacon, Vegabond, and In the Buff.

George’s Restaurant and Bar

A long-standing tradition in Waco, George’s started out as Harry B’s in 1930 and has changed hands many times since. But the one item that has remained the same is the quality and the variety of the foods served at this establishment. The menu is vast, spanning much more than American food. However, as far as burgers go, The Crybaby, The Black and Bleu, and The George seem to be house favorites. Go ahead and pair one with a Pride of the House cocktail for a fancy finish.

Cricket’s Draft House and Grill

Cricket’s holds the top spot for its unusual burgers and toned-down atmosphere. Unlike the places with fancier locations, this joint feels like a place you can really relax, watch a game with your friends, and play a round of pool in, even if you want a little something extra to your food — which is where the burgers begin.

The Brisket Burger, The Habanero Burger, and the Peanut Butter and Bacon Burger are the favorites on the menu, although others do seem to be added here and there, such as the Pimento Burger, which has been featured on the company’s Instagram account.

Bubba’s 33

This burger joint is the classic, all-American place on this list. Bubba’s 33 is a restaurant where all members of the family can dine or a group of friends can hang out in the bar and watch the game.

Created by the founder of Texas Roadhouse, Kent Taylor, this place bursts with American pride, going so far as to include the year Prohibition ended in the name of the restaurant. The menu has much more than sandwich-style fare, but the burgers take pride of place here. Bubba’s Bacon Burger, Aloha Burger, and Sunshine Burger are a few of the mouth-watering offerings available.

Bringing on the Bacon

Whether it’s a classic American-style burger you’re craving, or a fancy burger you’ll take a picture of and post to your Instagram account to show your friends, Waco has enough places for you to fill up before you mosey on back to your hotel for a well-earned snooze.