NU Skool - East Coast IPA (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

I have fish, chips and a battered sausage from the local chippy tonight. I fancy a good IPA to wash it down with whilst I watch The Neverending Story. One of my favourite takeaways with one of my favourite films from when I was a kid. You could say old school takeaway with an old school movie. So, what should I drink with it?

This NU Skool is an East Coast India Pale Ale packed full of malted barley, oats and wheat, with Citra, Mosaic and Galaxy hops. So, this 5% in volume IPA should be a citrusy juicy fruity treat to wash my takeaway dinner down with.

Brewed in Scotland by Williams Bros. this NU Skool beer definitely packs a citrus punch in its aroma. On taste this slightly hazy golden IPA had a crisp citrus tropical fruitiness, with a fulsome body of oats, and sweetness from the malted barley and wheat into the aftertaste. This NU Skool India Pale Ale went perfectly with my old school fish and chips and 80s movie.

Joe & Seph’s Baileys Popcorn (Ocado) By @Cinabar

There are some really fun Baileys products appearing at the moment, from biscuits to chocolate buttons and even squirty cream. It feels like everything is getting a Baileys twist, and I am absolutely here for it. This time it is popcorn, with Joe & Seph’s Baileys Popcorn.

This comes in a proper resealable bag, which is always a win when you are trying not to eat the whole thing in one sitting, although let’s be honest that is still a risk.

Joe & Seph’s are known for their gourmet popcorn. The pieces are big, fluffy and crisp, with that proper indulgent feel rather than anything light or boring.

Flavour wise, it is sweet and buttery with a really clear Baileys kick running through it. There is no mistaking what this is meant to be. It is rich, creamy and very much leaning into that dessert-style popcorn vibe.

It is honestly a gorgeous product. If you like Baileys, you will recognise it straight away, and if you like indulgent popcorn, this is right in that zone.

Perfect for a Friday night film night, although I would strongly suggest some self-control, because that resealable bag is a bit optimistic. 

St Pierre - Croissant Loaf - Toasted Croissants at Home [@NLi10]

 I've been a big fan of pastries ever since I was young - to the extent that when I got bored of the same old bread sandwiches at school every day I swapped to taking in a croissants and jam every day.

Britain has become less 'white loaf' obsessed as time has gone on and now instead of bread for every meal of the day (including bread pudding) there are exciting options.  St Pierre has added to that with this pastry loaf creation. 

It's essentially fat, sweet bread, but combined in such a way that it layers up and has a very different texture.  It's shelf life is also two weeks which is much better than our usual loaves.

It also has the trademark croissant swirl, which kind of hints that they made a giant one and dropped it in a loaf tin.

And it works with chocolate spread and strawberries?  Result.

All I have is upside down Welsh jam and vegan butter.

I toasted it a little more than it suggested

And pilled on the goodies.

And it's fantastic.  Child me would absolutely have accepted this in his tiny yellow lunchbox, although I'd still want to add the jam etc on site to prevent sogginess.

It has the right texture, the right smells and tastes, and it's so much easier than trying to toast a pre bough croissant (or the bake at home ones that while fantastic take ages).

I can't wait to get back from my holidays to have more of this - and I hope it's not a short term product and that I can get other similar things in the future.  Loaf od Pan Au Chocolate? Yes please!

Tango Sours Watermelon (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

I do like watermelon. It can be pretty sour on its own, but in a fizzy drink it might make my face twist a little. This new sugar free Tango Sours Watermelon could be a refreshing way to wake yourself up after a big lunch.

On opening the can there was a good fizz and sharp watermelon aroma. A mad almost pink fluorescent colour, this Tango Sours Watermelon made my face twist and my toes curl with sour watermelon, and a fizz that threatened my nose hairs. I loved it. Definitely a waker-upper.

Lemon Meringue Fudge (Fudge Town) By @Cinabar

We are lucky to attend a lot of events and comic cons thanks to my other half’s business, and there are certain traders we always look out for. Fudge Town is one we regularly see at northern events, and I always enjoy browsing their range of fun and inventive flavours, from Irn Bru to Oreo.

They are long days at these events, so I like to pick up a bar of fudge as a little treat for afterwards. On this occasion, I went for Lemon Meringue.

The bar has a rich yellow colour, with visible pieces of meringue running through it. From the first bite, there is a lovely citrus burst that really stands out. The lemon flavour is zingy but still sweet, giving it a fresh and moreish quality. The meringue pieces add an extra layer of sweetness, and together it makes for a really well balanced and enjoyable treat.

Fudge Town never disappoints, and I am already looking forward to trying whatever flavour catches my eye next. Hopefully I will see them again soon.

If you are heading to a comic con in the north, they are well worth seeking out. If not, they also sell online.