Alastair Sawday's Special Places Pubs & Inns of England & Wales

There's nothing as typical of Britain as pubs and bars - whenever I hang out with my friends and family we all gather around a table in our favourite pub drinking beer and cider and having fun catching up. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing - there's something about pubs; that something you can't quite explain, that makes you feel at home and stay there for hours without realising you've spent the whole evening drinking. I have a few favourites on my list, however, new places are always welcome when it comes to having fun with my friends. A few weeks ago, we received Alastair Sawday's Special Places Pubs & Inns of England & Wales at The Amazing Blog - an exquisite selection of 900 pubs and inns that has helped us with many great evenings in lovely new pubs.

The book is written in a personal and laid-back style without being too informal and is neatly laid-out. Each pub or inn suggested is shown on a picture or two; opening times, contact numbers, prices, addresses, and even tube stations are provided and broken down geographically. One of the things we love the most about this guide is the fact that the information is concise and brief - they even specify which places are pet and children-friendly!

Alastair Sawday's Special Places Pubs & Inns of England & Wales is a fantastic guide that has received really good reviews from the most well-known newspapers and magazines; and at The Amazing Blog we understand why. Their suggestions and the detailed and useful tips and information have never let us down. If there is something negative to point out about this fantastic guide, that should be the lack of time to visit all of these promising places in England and to a lesser extent in Wales.

You can purchase Alastairs Sawday's fantastic guides here.

Kraken Rum

Now that jugs of Pimms, white wine spritzers and lazy afternoons spent in beer gardens drinking just-pulled pints are but a distant, sun-drenched memory, now is the time to be indulging in winter-appropriate tipples. And while we're not yet ready to be sipping eggnog and mulled wine, the gang at The Amazing Blog has stumbled across the perfect tipple to see us through winter.

Named after a mythical sea beast, The Kraken is a spiced Caribbean rum aged and enriched with exotic spices including cinnamon, ginger and clove. Distilled in Trinidad and Tobego from sweet molasses, the ageing takes place over a two-year period in ex-bourbon whiskey barrels and is blended with an exotic combination of 14 spices, giving it a smooth and sultry taste.

Unlike many rums which have a sharp bite and a burn that lingers long after it's swallowed, Kraken Black Spiced Rum has a rich, caramel-like flavour with a gentle after-taste. Certainly none of the willing volunteers here at The Amazing Blog had cause for complain after drinking a generous serving on the rocks. Perfect on it's own, or mixed with coke for a great alternative to vodka, the rather lovely peeps who have spearheaded a successful campaign making The Kraken the fastest growing rum-brand in the USA have provided us with this rather lovely recipe (to be enjoyed in moderation!):

The Perfect Storm:

Mix together 50ml Kraken Black Spiced Rum with 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice, 5ml sugar syrup and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.

Top up with ginger beer, serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with two squeezed lime wedges.

Kraken Rum is available to buy from leading retailers including Waitrose, Asda, Tesco, Selfridges, Majestic Wine and Sainsbury's. Cheers!

The London Bierfest

While beer-garden season may be long gone, that doesn't mean that we Brits need to give up one of our very favourite tipples. The skies may be grey, the wind may be lethal and the rain may be torrential, but if you're feeling the onset of the impending winter blues, what better way to abate them than by sipping on a nice pint (or several) of beer?

Taking place from Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th October, The London Bierfest is a must-do for anyone fond of a pint, who has neither the funds nor the inclination to cross the channel to Munich for their 16-day celebration of beer (which includes us at The Amazing Blog). Held in the City's Old Billingsgate Market, The London Bierfest is in its tenth year and offers the perfect opportunity to network, entertain or, indeed, relax with friends and colleagues over a pint of beer.

Old Billingsgate Market will be transformed into a traditional Oktoberfest, buzzing with live music, dancing and a plethora of entertainment. Washed down with unlimited Bitburger beer and authentic German food, there's no danger of going without while at The London Bierfest. Having hosted more than 30,000 guests since its conception in 2003, both the atmosphere and entertainment is unrivalled and a night of fun and frolics is guaranteed.

No Bierfest would be complete without costumes, so fancy dress is encouraged and fun accessories can be bought from the Bierfest merchandise booth. With a whole host of hats, moustaches and wigs to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice and sure to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit their website here. Cheers!