IPAs might boast some of the fullest flavours and finest aromas – but traditionally these drinks always come with extra carbs and calories we simply don’t want.
A Manchester brand is on a mission to change that.
DrinkWell has unveiled a batch of brand new low calorie IPAs – promising “everything you want in a classic IPA without the calorific drawbacks”.
For IPA lovers, these bottles could potentially prove to be an absolute game-changer.
In the past, we might have had to cut out beer altogether to stay in decent physical shape. But now – for the first time – beer-lovers can pop the cap, sip a top-tasting IPA, and not worry about the calorie content.
It’s true that good beer is as intrinsic to British culture as cups of tea, a Full English fry-up, or Harry Potter – and the reopening date for pubs was the first thing many of us looked for when Boris unfurled his roadmap to exiting lockdown in February.
But despite our reputation as ‘boozy Brits’, there’s evidence that suggests we’re beginning to take stock of what goes into our diet – and how we can improve it.
According to research published by market research group Mintel in November 2018, 78% of consumers aged 18 – 35 years old are conscious of the calories in drink and are always on the lookout for lighter alternatives.
These health-conscious habits are becoming increasingly popular among younger demographics, along with a desire to consume meat-free alternatives (UK veganism hit an all-time high in 2020).
But despite this shift in modern tastes, local entrepreneur Tom Bell realised the thirst for great beer has remained intact.
As a result, his company DrinkWell is incorporating young people’s modern preferences into brewing recipes – whipping up vegan, gluten-free, low calorie IPAs that still pack a punch.
The new DrinkWell IPA range is 4.1% ABV with 99 calories per bottle (over 30% lower than other IPAs) and 3g carbs, also vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
Founder Tom stated: “Maintaining the alcohol and the classic IPA flavour profile was imperative to being successful in a rapidly changing market which is ever adapting to modern ‘healthier’ consumers.”
More info on new DrinkWell IPA range and low calorie alcohol collection is available online. Head over to DrinkWell to learn more.
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Food & Drink
Lively Irish pub Nancy Spains set to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
An Irish bar famed for its live music is heading up to Manchester for the first time, and is promising £2.50 pints to lure us in.
Nancy Spains will be venturing out of London for the first time promising to bring the ‘ultimate traditional Irish pub experience’ to the Northern Quarter.
If you were to ask what the hottest trend in hospitality is right now the answer would, apparently, be Guinness. We’re drowning in the stuff.
This latest opening is more about Murphy’s, another Irish stout, than Guinness (they actually won’t serve Guinness at all) but the craic will be much the same.
Nancy Spains is actually set to open almost directly opposite the aforementioned Salmon of Knowledge, taking over the former Corner Boy unit on Stevenson Square in the heart of Manchester.
To celebrate its opening, the pub will be serving its first 5000 pints of Murphy’s for just £2.50, so that it can show off the atmosphere that’s established it as ‘one of London’s favourite pubs’.
They’re promising an array of Irish whiskeys behind the bar, live music performances, and a lively late-night setting.
Nancy Spains was set up by three brothers who travelled all over their home county of rural Kerry researching Irish pubs, before launching two venues down in London.
They want it to balance a traditional pub with the vibrancy of the city.
Peter O’Halloran, co-founder of Nancy Spains commented, “We’re so excited to be launching in Manchester, bringing Nancy Spains to the heart of the Northern Quarter.
“After the success of our two venues in London, it was only right to bring Nancy Spains’ infectious spirit and Irish pride to Manchester. Slainte!”
Nancy Spains will open its first Manchester pub on Saturday 15 March at 21 Hilton Street.
Lucky Mama’s – The Italian restaurant serving pasta in a dough bowl and ‘pregnant’ pizzas
Daisy Jackson
Lucky Mama’s is a local sensation, thanks to its slightly whacky but delicious Italian creations like pasta served in a bowl made of pizza dough and its latest offering, a ‘pregnant’ pizza.
What on Earth is a pregnant pizza, you ask? Firstly we should stress this is a nickname we’ve bestowed upon the dish, rather than Lucky Mama’s chosen branding.
But essentially it’s a helping of fresh pasta that’s folded into the bubble crust of the pizza, like a half-calzone.
Lucky Mama’s started life when founders Mamadou Dhiam and Gaby Santos set up a trailer in their backyard in Eccles in the depths of lockdown.
But thanks to a formidably loyal following that’s spread the word of Lucky Mama’s far and wide, it now has two pretty pink restaurants in Greater Manchester.
Back in 2022, they threw open the doors to their Chorlton restaurant, before returning back to home turf for spot number two in Monton in 2024.
The recipes are fresh and pretty authentically Italian up until the last step, when they throw a curveball by loading their pasta into unconventional vessels.
‘Pregnant’ pizzas at Lucky Mama’sTraditional Roman pizzasLucky Mama’s pink restaurant in Chorlton
Their pasta pizza bowls are what they’re best known for and they fly out of the kitchen – this is where pizza dough is placed around a metal bowl before being baked in an oven.
Then it’s piled high with freshly made pasta, with popular flavours like cacio e pepe, mushroom alfredo, and rasta pasta.
Pasta is available in a regular ceramic bowl too.
You’ll find Lucky Mama’s at 565 Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton; and 217 Monton Road in Eccles.
The Manc -
11th March 2021 
