WORKED up a thirst during Dry January?
The good news is that the British Beer and Pubs Association has found there are plenty of reasons to head back to the pub.
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Around 15 per cent of us try to stay off the booze in January.
But now it’s time to rejoin the traditional social heart of the nation, because nothing beats the welcoming buzz of a British boozer.
Here are ten reasons to get back in the pub . . .
1.
MEETING friends at the boozer can be good for your mental health.
That’s a scientific fact, with psychologists at the University of Oxford finding that “alcohol’s role appears to be in triggering the endorphin system, which promotes social bonding.”
2.
IF YOU want to remain teetotal 85 per per cent of pubs now sell low or no-alcohol beer.
If you want to reduce your alcohol intake you could opt for “zebra mode”, alternating between an alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage during a night out.
3.
SHARE the excitement of a big sporting event in front of a pub’s big screen, with the League Cup final coming up for football fans on February 25 and the Cheltenham Festival starting on March 12 for horse racing enthusiasts.
4.
IF YOU are feeling hungry plenty of pubs offer hearty food at prices to match high street eateries and few meals can beat a Sunday roast next to an open fire in a pub.
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5.
BEER can be good for your hair and skin because it is rich in silicon, while some medics believe a glass of red wine a day can reduce heart disease and blood pressure.
6.
THE average price of a pint of draught bitter is £3.93, not much more than a lot of places are charging for a cup of coffee these days.
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7.
WITH around 40,000 pubs in Britain there are plenty to choose from, such as The Tamworth Tap, in Tamworth, West Mids, which was named among Camra’s best boozers two years in a row.
Or maybe one fit for King Charles, the Cat & Custard Pot near his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire.
8.
TAKE to the oche and have a go at darts – you could be the next Luke Littler, who became the youngest player to reach the World Darts Championship final.
If darts isn’t your thing, why not have a game of pool with mates.
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9.
PUB quizzes are a great way to test your grey matter, and many establishments put on other entertainment such as comedy nights or live music.
10.
DON’T worry about a beer belly, because if you sup a light beer many contain less than 100 calories, which is half the amount you will find in a Mars bar.
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