'Britons 'shun birthdays and pubs''

The economic downturn is making Britons mean, with people ignoring friends' birthdays and refusing to buy rounds of drinks in the pub, a survey has showed. Nearly a third of people said they would no longer buy a round of drinks when out with friends for fear they would end up out of pocket, according to Moneysupermarket Vouchers - PA ​

Tastes for favourite food and drink vary from UK region to region just like accents, a study revealed yesterday. They depend on genetic make-up, upbringing and experience with flavours. And choices are often determined by the part of the tongue that picks up preferred tastes - The Sun​

Shares in British pub group Marstons ended 15.86% lower at 128.41p after it announced plans to raise £176m through a rights issue. Marstons' fully underwritten 11-for-10 issue is priced at 59p for each new share. The company will spend £140m to accelerate its strategy of acquiring and developing new-build pubs after temporarily slowing the programme in late 2008. It will use the remainder to buy pubs from rivals or to repay debt, if it can do so at attractive prices - The Guardian ​

Rock giants Oasis geared up for their sell-out Scots stadium gig by learning to cook a Haggis. Band members including frontman Liam Gallagher visited the kitchen of Edinburgh's Whiski pub for the lesson during a seven-hour booze-up. They were so impressed they left staff four VIP tickets to their Murrayfield concert the next day - Scottish Sun​

Beer inspector Annabel Smith draws a pint of deep bronze liquid to her lips and takes a mouthful. A smile crosses her face. "People are always telling me I've got the best job in the world — and I have," she says. "But it doesn't always feel like that when it's 9 o'clock on a Monday morning and you have to be drinking beer." - The Times ​