Tag: spirits

Gilded Balloon announce foodie pop-ups at brand new bar

PLUS LOCAL BREWERY NEWBARNS LAUNCH GILDED BALLOON’S VERY OWN PINKTASTIC PINTS

A brand new bar is set to open in the heart of Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August, as some of the city’s best food vendors pop up for daytime dining at Gilded Balloon’s brand-new bar Lucky Penny including Alby’s, Spitaki, Wing Theory and more.

The hidden gem will serve up everything from frozen cocktails, Kegronis and Gilded Balloon’s very own beer. 

Located at 19-20 Teviot Place, in the former Saboteur venue, Lucky Penny will welcome Fringe fans, acts and industry to the bar, which will be run in partnership with local brewery Newbarns, serving up fresh pints and cocktails as well as the very best Edinburgh food and drink pop-ups.

Gilded Balloon is a family run business, operated by mother-daughter duo Katy and Karen Koren, with Lucky Penny named after the newest member of the family, Katy’s daughter Penny. 

Lucky Penny opens from 12pm on 31st July until 26th August meaning foodie fans have almost four weeks to pop in and try some of the incredible Edinburgh vendors taking over the bespoke bar from 1-6pm for daytime dining like no other.

Locals and tourists alike can take a break from Fringe fun to feast on the capital’s very best food offerings in Lucky Penny before heading off to experience over 3000 shows on offer at the Festival. 

Plus, renowned Leith brewers Newbarns have introduced a special Gilded Balloon themed IPA ‘Hiya Pals’ with pinktastic pints set to be poured in the Leith Newbarns taproom, at Lucky Penny and across all Gilded Balloon venue bars at Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland.

Gilded Balloon work with Scottish brands Tennent’s Lager, Newbarns and Leith Spirits to provide spirits, beer,cider and more across all of their Fringe bars. 

Open 7 days a week from 12pm – late, Lucky Penny will welcome a relishing roster of seven different foodie pop-ups throughout the month of August including: 

Alby’s take on a classic hot dog with Big Hot Bangers, deep fried specialists Big Dip, authentic Greek food from Spitaki, fried chicken connoisseurs Wing Theory, Lebanese street food from Lazeez, Vietnamese cuisine from Banh Mi Brothers, as well as frozen cocktails and mimosas from Pulp Friction. Plus, award winning pies from Jarvis Pickle will be available all day and night throughout the Festival for tasty bites in between shows! See below for full line-up and dates. 

As one of the Fringe’s original, and pinkest, venues, Gilded Balloon’s brand new Lucky Penny is in addition to bars at two venues Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland. The pop up bar will be operated in partnership with Edinburgh’s Newbarns Brewery, pouring their own easy-drinking pale ales and lagers, Aperol Spritzes and Gin Fizzes, as well as Kegronis from other local favourite Electric Spirit, meaning Negronis on tap all summer long! 

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said: “It’s so exciting to reveal our incredible line-up of vendors who will be popping up at Lucky Penny and bringing some of Edinburgh’s very best food to Fringe.

“From fresh hot sandwiches from Alby’s to authentic Greek food from Spitaki, Pulp Friction’s frozen cocktails and even Negronis on tap, Lucky Penny will be the spot to chill out and grab a bite of some of the city’s most delicious food before taking in lots of Fringe shows!

“We’re looking forward to throwing open the doors to Lucky Penny and welcoming Fringe fans, performers and the Fringe community and industry to the brand new space for some ‘Hiya Pals’ pints in the sun, fresh out of the tap from our pals at Newbarns.”

Emma McIntosh, Director of Newbarns Brewery said: “As a local Leith brewery, working with a renowned local Edinburgh Fringe venue such as Gilded Balloon made perfect sense.

“We’ve created our bespoke ‘Hiya Pals’ IPA in collaboration with Gilded Balloon, available exclusively throughout the Festival in our brand new perfectly pink cans. We hope Newbarns fans will pop along to the Lucky Penny to sip on some freshly brewed pints this August!” 

LUCKY PENNY – AUGUST TAKEOVERS

Spitaki, 1-6pm 

Thursday 1st

Sunday 4th

Thursday 15th

Lazeez, 1-6pm

Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd 

Pulp Friction, 7-10pm

Saturday 3rd 

Wednesday 14th

Thursday 22nd

Saturday 24th 

Wing Theory, 1-6pm

Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August

Big Dip, 1-6pm

Saturday 17th August – Sunday 18th August

Banh Mi Brothers, 1-6pm 

Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th August 

Alby’s, 1-6pm

Sunday 25th August

Jarvis Pickle Pies

Daily 

Walk-ins only, no bookings. Open to the general public from 12pm – 6pm,  artist and VIP bar only from 7pm. 

Gilded Balloon’s ‘Pals in Pink’ will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland into fabulously pink hubs of creativity with acts from every genre descending during the month of August.

Big name stars from Michelle Brasier and Jack Docherty will take to the stage alongside comedy’s very best newcomers from Joshua Bethania to Kathleen Hughes, as well as an expertly-curated programme of theatre such as Chemo Savvy, a tribute to the late Andy Gray, The Steamie, Pop Off, Michelangelo and much more. 

CHEERS! Tax cut for 38,000 British pubs

  • Tax paid on pints and other drinks on tap in over 38,000 UK pubs is now up to 11p cheaper than their supermarket equivalents
  • The new Brexit Pubs Guarantee will keep it this way for good
  • Alcohol duty now simplified so drinks are taxed by strength, lowering duty on supermarket shelves for many UK favourites including bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, and prosecco

Over 38,000 UK pubs and bars have seen a tax cut on the pints they pull from today as the government’s alcohol duty changes take effect.

The duty paid on drinks on tap in pubs will be up to 11p lower than at the supermarket. The changes are designed to help pubs compete on a level playing field with supermarkets, so they can continue to thrive at the heart of communities across the UK. The Brexit Pubs Guarantee announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget secures the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty than supermarkets going forwards.

It comes as other landmark changes to the alcohol duty system also come into effect today, which see drinks taxed by strength for the first time and a new relief – named Small Producer Relief – to help small businesses and start-ups create new drinks, innovate and grow.

Today’s changes have automatically lowered the duty in shops and supermarkets on many of the UK’s favourites including certain bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, hard seltzer, Irish cream, coffee liquor and English sparkling wine, amongst others.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I want to support the drinks and hospitality industries that are helping to grow the economy, and the consumers who enjoy the end result.

“Not only will today’s changes mean that that the price of your pint in the pub is protected, but it will also benefit thousands of businesses across the country.

“We have taken advantage of Brexit to simplify the duty system, to reduce the price of a pint, and to back British pubs.”

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “British pubs are the beating heart of our communities and as they face rising costs, we’re doing all we can to help them out. Through our Brexit Pubs Guarantee, we’re protecting the price of a pint.

“The changes we’re making to the way we tax alcohol catapults us into the 21st century, reflecting the popularity of low alcohol drinks and boosting growth in the sector by supporting small producers financially.”

The three alcohol duty changes that have taken effect today are only possible thanks to the UK’s departure from the EU and the guarantees set out in the Windsor Framework.

The previous duty system was complex and unfair but now that the UK is free to set excise policy to suit its needs, the government has brought about common-sense reforms in order to support wider UK tax and public health objectives.

Brexit Pubs Guarantee

Over 38,000 UK pubs will benefit from lower alcohol tax on the drinks they pour from tap from today. This is because the government has expanded Draught Relief, which effectively freezes or cuts the alcohol duty on the vast majority of these drinks. This is to protect pubs, who are often undercut by supermarket competitors.

It means that the duty they pay on each drink poured from draught, such as pints of beer and cider, will be up to 11p cheaper than in supermarkets. The government has pledged that the duty pubs and bars pay on these drinks will always be less than retailers, known as the Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

This tax reduction is part of a wider shake up of the alcohol duty system which also comes into effect from today – the biggest in 140 years.

A simpler, more modern alcohol duty system

The alcohol duty reforms were announced at the Autumn Budget in 2021. The reforms pledged to modernise and simplify a duty system that had not been changed in 140 years, only possible as the UK has left the EU.

The key changes are:

  • All products taxed in line with alcohol by volume (ABV) strength, rather than different duty structures for different drinks
  • Fewer main duty rates, from 15 to 6, to make it easier for businesses to grow and operate
  • There will be lower taxes on lower alcohol products – those below 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) in strength – a huge growth area in the drinks industry
  • All drinks above 8.5% ABV will pay the same rate regardless of product type
    This will mean that many UK favourites will see duty reductions. Irish cream will drop by 3p, cans of 5% ABV ready-to-drink spirit mixers by 6p, Prosecco by 61p and 500ml 3.4% pale ale by 20p a bottle.

New tax relief to encourage small producers to make new drinks

The UK alcoholic drinks market reached just under £50 billion in 2022, up 6% year on year and is expected to continue to grow – sales are forecast to reach £60.9 billion in 2026. The UK government is laser-focused on continuing this burgeoning success.

The government is introducing Small Producer Relief effective from today, which replaces and extends the previous Small Brewers Relief scheme.

This allows small businesses who produce alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% to be eligible for reduced rates of alcohol duty on qualifying products.

The new tax relief scheme promotes innovation in the drinks sector, giving small producers the financial freedom to experiment with new types of drink and grow their business. It also supports the modern drinking trend of lower alcohol beverages.

Come Wassailing at Granton Castle Walled Garden on Sunday 19 February

Come join us for wassailing at Granton Castle Walled Garden on the 19th February from 2 – 4pm. There will be activities, songs and refreshments all inspired by the wonderful apple trees.

Wassailing is an anglo-saxon tradition where the fruit trees are blessed with offerings of song, food and drink to encourage them to provide a bountiful harvest.

We will gather together and give the trees of our orchard a much needed cheer and scare away all of the bad spirits! Bring along some friends and family, and perhaps make yourself a lovely apple themed crown to wear.

Cash donations are appreciated but not required, if you have any questions please ask!

For details on how to find us visit our website:

https://www.grantoncastlewalledgarden.org.uk

Ghost Roads: The UK’s most haunted highways revealed

In the lead up to everyone’s favourite spooky season, GoodBye Car are taking a look at the most ‘haunted’ roads in the UK and why they’re considered to be eerie and unearthly.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it’s still interesting to look at their history … 

 1. The Devil’s Highway

Location: A666 Near Bolton

When you name a road ‘666’, the chances are the future is going to be rife with plenty of occult shenanigans. There have been a number of sightings of a shady figure at the side of the road after the sun goes down, described by eye-witnesses as being hunched over with a slight limp. 

There has even been some video footage of this, which you can make your own mind up on if you see it. Filmed on a dashcam, the white figure approaches the car slowly, much to the distress of the driver and their passenger… 

2. The Ghost Road

Location: A75 Gretna to Annan

I mean, the name kind of speaks for itself here. This road, just over the border between England and Scotland, links Gretna to Annan and is notorious for being extremely badly lit. Driving along pitch black roads can play tricks on the mind at the best of times, especially if you’re aware that this road has seen incidents of the paranormal in the past. 

Unnervingly, the police have recorded calls from drivers that describe having run over an old man in a tweed suit who they claim was crossing the road. But when they got out to check, the man was nowhere to be seen…

3. Blue Bell Hill

Location: A229, Kent

This particular road was the scene of an unfortunate tragedy back in November 1965 and has been haunted ever since, in the eyes of many. A young woman was due to be married when she was killed in a car accident. 

Since then, the woman has been spotted wearing her extravagant wedding dress, veil and all, standing by the side of the road waiting for a lift. The scariest part of the story is that some people claim to have given the woman a lift, only for her to disappear completely soon after…

4. Stocksbridge Bypass

Location: Stocksbridge

A relatively new road when compared to the others on the list, the Stocksbridge Bypass quickly gained a reputation for events of the paranormal. Connecting the M1 with the A1616, the spooky shenanigans started occurring as soon as the building work started. 

When construction was underway back in 1988, two security guards reported that they saw some young children playing right in the centre of the construction site. This would be an odd sight at the best of times, made even more bone chilling by the fact that the children disappeared without a trace as the guards approached them, with no signs of footprints…

5. M6 Bermuda Triangle

Location: M6

Named after the infamous Bermuda Triangle, it’s not a surprise to see that it’s gained this nickname for a negative reason. As opposed to the new style road seen above, there have been parts of this route that have been in place for around two thousand years. 

What is now the M6 used to be travelled across by the Roman’s before the layers of concrete were added, and as such there have been numerous reports of Roman soldiers marching across the road. That’s not all though, as junctions 16-19 are particularly accident prone, leading to more tormented souls being seen, such as hitchhikers that vanish into the night and eyes that have been spotted watching passers by from the bushes. Slightly unnerving…

6. The Spaniard’s Inn

Location: Hampstead

When you pull up to the Spaniard’s Inn in Hampstead, it just looks like a normal pub. However, there are sinister undertones at play, with a rich history of ghosts and ghouls being spotted in the area. The building actually dates back to 1585, and became famous thanks to Dick Turpin’s father reportedly being the landlord of the pub.

The Inn gets its name from a Spanish Ambassador who used to meet with King James in the 16th Century. There were also reportedly two Spanish landlords named Francesco and Juan in the 17th century, to which the rumour exists that the duo fell out and eventually ended with Francesco killing Juan in a duel, who was later buried near the Inn. 

I’m sure you can see where this is going, but it’s reported that Juan’s ghost still haunts the pub, looking for Francesco to claim his revenge…

7. Overtoun Bridge

Location: West Dumbartonshire

Probably the saddest story we’ve seen so far, this one is not for the faint of heart. Long story short, it’s said that the bridge located on the grounds of Overtoun House in West Dumbartonshire is haunted by the White Lady of Overtoun, who’s the ghost of the wife of former estate owner John White. 

The sad part comes in when people claim the bridge affects dogs in particular, causing them to terrifyingly throw themselves off the side of the bridge. It’s said that more than 300 dogs have suffered this fate over the years. Our advice would be to keep your dog on a lead if you’re passing over the bridge any time soon.

If you don’t want to believe in the supernatural, non-believers say that the smell of wild animals in the woods below is what compels the dogs to jump over the side. But what if…

8. Blairgowrie

Location: A93

On the subject of wild animals, that takes us on nicely to the Hellhound of Blairgowie. This plagued pooch is said to have glowing red eyes and patrols up and down the side of the road. If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter it, you’ll likely smell it before you can see it, as it’s said to carry a stinking odour. 

The hound is particularly a menace to dogs and horses, who become incredibly spooked when in the area, particularly at night. 

There’s even a legend that says if you stare directly into the Hellhound’s eyes three times, then you’ll die. So that’s fun…

9. Platt Lane

Location: Westhoughton

Infamous to locals in the area, Platt Lane is another sad story of a tragedy leading to plenty of haunting stories. The incident in question was the Pretoria Pit mining disaster on 21st December 1910, leading to 344 of the 900 men and boys who went into the mine on that day never making it out alive. 

The issue came from a gas leak due to a broken lamp, which then ignited an explosion. Some died from the flames, while others suffocated from carbon monoxide in what was a terrifying event for such a close-knit community. 

Now it’s been said that when you drive along Platt Lane you can see the eyes of the miners watching on from the bushes, and the road is also partial to an eerie mist overcoming it at all parts of the year…

10. The Ghost of Gracious Lane

Location: A21, London

Normally when a road is made into a duel carriageway, life just goes on without incident. However, the ghost of Gracious Lane did not take too kindly to the road being split, and it prowls the street looking to take revenge by leading cars off the road and the unfortunate drivers to their death.

After drivers travel underneath the bridge, an odd phenomenon occurs where the standard A21 road seems to disappear and a new road takes its place, which actually points in a different direction. 

Oddly, it’s not the only cursed activity in the area, as there are also reports of a white haired woman being seen stood in the middle of the road. Most drivers try and swerve to avoid what they think is a living and breathing human being, but inevitably run her over.

When they get out to check if she’s alright though, the woman is nowhere to be found …