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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘I ignored warnings and ordered €1 beer at Benidorm bar'
Journalist Adam Maidment felt like a "daylight robber" after ignoring warnings and ordering a €1 beer in Benidorm but the cut-price pint turned out to be far better than expected While researching his trip to Benidorm, journalist Adam Maidment came across cautionary advice urging tourists to steer clear of the famously cheap drinks. Many claimed these €1 offers at the popular Spanish resort were best avoided, describing them as subpar or suspiciously watered down. Benidorm, with its beachside bars, themed pubs and sprawling expat scene, is a well-oiled machine when it comes to luring in tourists. More than 830,000 British tourists visit Benidorm each year, with many attracted by the number of sports bars, Irish pubs, and other themed venues offering lucrative deals. However, many warn that the bargain booze may not be all it's cracked up to be. In one popular TikTok video, viewed more than 450,000 times, creator Frank the Stag Man bluntly told 227,000 followers: 'You get what you pay for', labelling the drinks 'absolute rubbish'. Still, not everyone heeded Frank's warning. Adam, though, a true professional, decided to fall at the first hurdle in the name of journalism. In an article penned for the Manchester Evening News, Adam wrote: 'I practically fell at the first hurdle and ignored all warnings after a very sunny afternoon stroll through Levante Beach, it's perhaps the very exact reason why these bars have beer at such a ridiculous price point in the first place.' Hoping to head into the Old Town, Adam spotted a venue advertising a too-tempting deal. 'I spotted the La Parada lounge bar, which offered both €1 beer and even €1 Pintxos dishes. Whilst not feeling brave enough to try my chances with the culinary options, I was prepared to give the very cheap beer a go - all in the name of journalism, of course.' The bar, located just up from the beachfront near Tiki Town Beach Club, was in a shaded spot and not too crowded. A scattering of locals were inside enjoying the calm. Adam said: 'The very lovely server was happy to take my order for a €1 beer and, not quite knowing what I had set myself in for, I contemplated what would be arriving at my table and whether it would be as watered down or ominous as social media had suggested it would be.' The beer arrived in minutes. 'The dinky little glass of beer was pretty much as expected: certainly not a pint, and perhaps not even a half (maybe more of a third). But it was a freshly-poured serving of Amstel, so it certainly wasn't the worst choice of beer.' Most importantly, it tasted fine. 'It was ice cold and it tasted normal - I didn't get the impression it was watered down.' And the price? Almost laughably low. Adam said: 'Most impressively, it was an absolute bargain of a drink for what was the equivalent of essentially just 84p - a price that nowhere in Manchester [or anywhere in the UK] would ever consider charging.' Curious how the economics worked, Adam asked the server why they bothered offering such a low price. Her response was basic marketing: 'It gets people in." Once through the door, people then order food and smoothies or become repeat customers. The bar's menu and signage promoted other items, like €3 hotdogs and €5 smoothies, far more than the beer, but perhaps what keeps the tills ringing. After sipping his drink in a relaxed atmosphere, Adam faced a very first world problem. He said: 'Then came the moral dilemma that has been playing in my mind ever since: how do you pay for an 84p beer without feeling like you've just committed daylight robbery?' He considered ghosting the bar with a euro left behind. He said: 'I considered leaving the euro on the table and just making a dash for it in order to avoid having to make any pleasantries, but that just felt rude.' He even thought about tipping. 'I also contemplated tipping an extra euro in order to lessen the guilt I felt, which I appreciate is the very epitome of a first-world problem.' In the end, instead of dashing, Adam used his cool logic to reason. He reflected: 'It was their offer, they chose to sell it, and they decided to promote it to get punters in - and it certainly worked, even if I didn't stay to branch out into €5 smoothie territory.' While he said he wouldn't recommend spending an entire day bouncing between €1 beer bars, he gave La Parada credit for being a calm and pleasant place to sit and sip. 'Whilst I definitely wouldn't want to spend a whole afternoon stocking up on €1 beers, my time at La Parada was good. It certainly wasn't one of the rowdier venues in the town; it was chilled and quiet, so I am sure there might be other popular options for people when it comes to going cheap on the beer.' But he added a word of caution. 'Of course, I cannot vouch for €1 beers at the other bars, and I'm sure there are some which warrant the level of caution.' Adam also rightly pointed out: 'It also goes without saying that it is always important to drink responsibly too, whether you are in Benidorm drinking €1 beer or not.'
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Catch them young - Egan Naidoo's son Ruven will be sure to cheer for Liverpool FC. Image: Supplied THEY were as scarce as minibus taxi drivers who use indicators. There were hardly enough of them to form a WhatsApp group chat. In fact, I've seen more of them waiting in line for a free tasting of spicy Nagiah's sausages on a Saturday morning. Who am I talking about? I'm referring to the number of Indians who actually attended South Africa's premier club soccer knockout tournament for the fiercely-contested Nedbank Cup at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium a fortnight ago. The riveting match saw Kaizer Chiefs ending a painful 10-year trophy drought when it clinched a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates. And only a handful of Indians were among the 60 000 spectators. One 12-pack of Amstel would have been more than sufficient to keep the spirits up of the sum total of charou football fans who made the effort to attend the Soweto Derby where they were inconspicuous as a drop of water in the ocean - or like needles in a haystack. Meanwhile, at the same time, thousands of South African Indians, a spiritous drink in hand, would have been watching Southampton vs Man City, Fulham vs Everton or Ipswich Town vs Brentford on television at home, at Clive Pillay's 501 Sports Bar in Chatsworth, or T's Action Bar in Phoenix. Now what is it that induces local Indians to support English Premier League football, or even European soccer for that matter, more than they do South African Premier Soccer League matches? Local Indian football fans can rattle off the names of all the Liverpool and Manchester United players - and the reserve squads. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ They have at their fingertips all personal information about European footballers, including age, nationality, contract duration and market value, and I won't be surprised, even their partners' names. Yet most of them will not be able to recite volubly the names of more than two or three players with individual PSL teams, or even Bafana Bafana to boot (pun unintended). Local fans of European football, much like their counterparts around the globe, can be incredibly passionate about their favourite teams, sometimes to the point of obsession. Check out the wash lines in Indian suburbs the day after a major match and you will see either Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona shirts hung out to dry. Some die-hard supporters tattoo their team's logo, name their children after players, or refuse to associate with supporters of rival teams. I know of fanatical followers who will travel across the world to back their team in a cup final. Yet, they will not buy a stadium ticket for Soccer City or Moses Mabhida for a major PSL game. Obsessed football fans see their club as part of their identity, leading to intense rivalries and sometimes irrational hatred toward opposing teams. Football games stimulate an emotional rollercoaster: wins bring euphoria, while losses can lead to frustration and even anger. The emotional highs and lows deepen their connection to the sport. There is big business in football teams' fan paraphernalia - jerseys, scarves, t-shirts, tracksuits, caps, hoodies, jackets, ties, socks, watches and jewellery. Some take their obsession to another level and will even sport (pun unintended again) underwear with Liverpool's logo, the mythical liver bird, or Man United's ship and lion with a helmet. Whether those Y-fronts or briefs with team badges enhance bedroom performance during nocturnal goal-scoring games is the stuff of fantasy and fanaticism. My opinion. Devotion to football clubs starts early - and can continue for a whole lifetime. Children and adults alike will have birthday cakes made up in the colours and logos of their beloved teams. Liverpool is known as The Reds, after the colour of their kits, so when faced with a choice of colours for a new car, no prizes for guessing what hue those who mumble "You'll Never Walk Alone" in their sleep, will choose. The adoration of football clubs continues well into death for some fans. Coffins are often draped in the colours of the favourite team. Visit the Mobeni Heights cemetery and you will see several headstones that celebrate the spirit of football fans. Speaking for thousands of local Indians who are European football buffs, Egan Naidoo who is an ardent Liverpool admirer said local PSL teams were not disrespected outright because they produced some immense talent that has even been exported to foreign clubs. However, the emotional connection to European clubs, he said, was due to greater global exposure, high-quality matches, captivating narratives, and star players. Naidoo said the English Premier League was extensively televised and streamed, making it easily accessible to local Indian audiences. This constant exposure has introduced fans to the league and its clubs, fostering a sense of familiarity. He said football leagues throughout Africa were under-funded and lacked strong talent development, causing Africans to follow European football tournaments more than they support their own at home. Also, young family members were influenced by the older generation, reinforcing loyalty as fathers passed the baton of English football clubs to their sons. Naidoo added that there is a South African connection at Liverpool's home stadium Anfield. The most iconic stand within it is the Spion Kop, renowned for its atmosphere and is a symbol of Liverpool's passionate fanbase. The name "Kop" originates from the Battle of Spion Kop near Ladysmith in January 1900 where many soldiers from Liverpool were killed by Boers. The South African Indian community has a long and vibrant history of supporting local football - but mostly teams that had majority white players such as Durban City and Durban United and Indian players such as Manning Rangers, Berea, Avalon Athletics, Bluebells United, Swaraj, Verulam Suburbs and Tongaat Crusaders. Curries Fountain stadium in Durban was once the mecca of non-racial soccer during a time of racial segregation. As these clubs disintegrated mainly through lack of sponsorship, and faded into oblivion, Indian soccer fans rooted more for overseas clubs than local teams that comprised mostly Black players. And such patronage has nothing to do with racism but brand football fans like to support world brands. The English Premier League has effectively built a strong brand which is reflected in its consistent focus on delivering high-quality football, attracting top talent, and engaging with diverse audiences. . Many European clubs also enjoy tremendous brand strength. Real Madrid which is reputedly worth $6.6 billion is not only the world's strongest football club brand but also ranks among the strongest brands globally, surpassing renowned names like Google, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, and Rolex. Real Madrid's strategic investments in star players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham has boosted its revenue through increased matchday and merchandise sales, while enhancing global visibility and fan engagement. While South Africa boasts strong national cricket and rugby teams, the national football team Bafana Bafana is doing something wrong and is placed 56th in FIFA world rankings. The 2010 FIFA World Cup had mixed effects on soccer in South Africa. While it boosted domestic infrastructure, including new stadiums and improved public transport, it did not lead to significant improvements in Bafana Bafana's performance. When the national football team plays badly, any wonder then why local football fans look abroad for entertainment? Yogin Devan Image: Supplied Yogin Devan is a media consultant and social commentator. Share your comments with him on: yogind@ ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Throwing the ultimate summer party just got easier – here's why
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more As the weather heats up and we come out of hibernation, the time has come to tap into summer and ensure your entertaining set-up is elite. Sure, the beer garden may beckon for some, but it's never been easier to create that atmosphere at home. You see, at home there is no dress code, there's always a seat available, and there are no queues. We'll cheers to that! And as we prepare for a sensational summer of sport ahead, the BLADE beer tap is the perfect appliance for celebrating the months ahead in hops-inspired style. The time has come to sit back and relax with a perfectly chilled, pub-quality pint at home, with this device ideal for backyard BBQs, laid-back long weekends and match-day hosting where you can pour like a pro. Picture this: You see the sun rising high in the sky as a bead of sweat begins to roll down your forehead. Your mates are rolling in and the game is about to start. Now all that's missing is the unmistakable 'psssshhhhht' of the beer tap as you pull a perfect (alcoholic or not!) pint. Are your friends cheering for their team, or are they cheering for you? For those yet to become acquainted with the convenience of BLADE, let us catch you up. Because summer is for being all sorts of generous, you can score the BLADE for £120 off. You can pour like a pro this summer with a saving of £100 on all BLADE Starter Packs – which includes a BLADE appliance and a keg – plus an extra £20 using our exclusive discount code METROUK120 . Deal ends July 13, 2025, so don't miss out! The BLADE beer tap is a professional-grade home beer dispenser designed for effortless pours of draught beer at home. What's better is you don't have to deal with gas canisters or a complex setup that requires expert installation. With minimal set-up, you're able to enjoy 14 freshly chilled pints from each 8L keg, with a plug-in-and-pour design that turns every social gathering at home into a legendary moment. Built for special occasions, weekends in front of the game or simply for the beer lovers out there, the keg keeps your beer fresh for 30 days after opening, meaning you can easily pour yourself a fresh pint after a hard day at work throughout the week. Whether you prefer crisp lagers or fruity ciders, there's something for every taste. Top brands include Heineken, Amstel, Birra Moretti and Cruzcampo, with alcohol-free options also available. And here's a real win for many: each pour is priced from £1.84 per pint. Stranger things have happened, but we hazard a guess you'll be hard-pressed finding a bar pouring chilled draughts at a price like that. If you're firing up the grill or hosting a garden get-together, BLADE is made for summer moments and with its perfect pints taking temperatures down to 2 degrees Celsius it's the ideal way to enjoy beer and BBQ times with friends. If you want to get technical, originally built for the catering industry in the Netherlands, BLADE uses professional-grade materials, offering a level of build quality and pour feel unmatched by any other at-home beer tap. From its customisable tap handles to its unique dome design, the device makes a statement on your home bar with a silhouette that's instantly recognisable. While you don't need a dedicated bar area or too much benchtop space to take advantage of the BLADE, before you jump straight in, it's important to set yours up in the right location. Firstly, choose a sturdy, level surface that can support the machine's weight (17.6kg) and that's both heat and water-resistant. You don't need to keep it inside, either, as the tap is perfect for alfresco entertaining. Just make sure it's set up on a flat, shaded surface, with easy access to the power plug so you can quickly unplug it if needed. For optimal performance, keep the machine in an environment with a temperature between 10°C and 38°C and a maximum relative humidity of 75%. There's nothing more satisfying than serving up your own heady glass to impressed pals, and it doesn't matter whether your beer tap is in the living room, the backyard next to the BBQ or in a man cave, your place will soon become the neighbourhood's favourite spot to chill. Remember, always enjoy responsibly . For the facts go to MORE: Beloved 90s beer returns to UK supermarkets after being axed in 2003 MORE: 'Snaking' is the new phenomenon taking over pubs — but punters say it's diabolical MORE: The 'crowd pleasing' Irish beer set to take Guinness's stout crown
AU Financial Review
25-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
How Heineken bucked the trend and surged in China
Shanghai | London | Western consumer brands in China have long been coming to terms with the prospect of lower growth in the world's second-largest economy. But demand for Heineken's beers tells a different story. In 2023, sales volumes for the Dutch lager maker's various brands, including Amstel, rose more than 50 per cent. Last year, as the overall mainland China beer market shrank, its volumes increased nearly 20 per cent to just under 700 million litres — almost enough to serve a pint to everyone in the country. Financial Times
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This is how much drinks cost at Neighbourhood Weekender 2025
NEIGHBOURHOOD Weekender is back in Warrington, and the town is out in force for two days filled with music. It has been a long wait for the festival's return after it took a hiatus last year. But now it is back, and we have the answer to the question on everybody's mind. How much are drinks at Neighbourhood Weekender 2025? Amstel - £6.50 Birra Moretti - £6.30 Beavertown Neck Oil - £6.30 Brothers Dark Berry Cider - £6.50 Brothers Festival Apple Cider - £6.50 Brothers Zest Cider - £6.50 Brothers Pineapple and Passionfruit Cider - £6.50 Heineken 00 - £5.90 Thatchers Zero -£6.30 Single serve wines (red, white, or rosé) - £7.50 Full bottle wines (sauvignon blanc, merlot, or rosé) - £30 Single of gin, vodka, or rum with mixer - £6.90 Coke Zero, Sprite, or Fanta - £2.80 Mineral water - £2.60 Red Bull - £4
