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Parish ale resurrected for Whitsun festival

Chris McHugh
BBC News, Newbury
BBC A close up of an ale label which would be seen on a beer tap, being held by a man's fingers. On the picture is a drawing of two religious figures with cloaks and halos, each holding a beer and embracing each other. The label reads "DISCIPALE", intended as a pun on 'Disciple' and 'Ale'. It also says 'bitter' and has an ABV of 3.7 per cent. BBC
The 'DiscipAle' is a 'malt-forward and less hoppy' ale to make it more traditional, according to its brewer

A parish has revived an ancient tradition of brewing its own ale in time for a festival to celebrate Whitsun.

The DiscipAle, created by brewer Kevin Brady, was blessed by the Vicar of Wantage Katherine Price and will be served at the parish's Whitsun Cake and Ale festival on Saturday 7 June.

Parish ales were common in medieval England at Whitsun until the practice was suppressed after the English Reformation in the 16th century.

Wantage Parish said proceeds from the festival would go towards raising funds for the church.

Two men pose for a photo, smiling, while clinking two glasses with a small amount of ale at the bottom. Kevin, on the left, is wearing a dark blue zipped-up hoodie and has a black and grey beard and black short straight hair. David, on the right, has white thinning hair, glasses and is wearing a white and blue patterned shirt and beige light jacket over the top. Beer kegs can be seen behind them.
Kevin Brady (left) brewed the 'DiscipAle' after David Richardson (right) came up with the idea

David Richardson, a lay preacher with Wantage Parish, came up with the idea to revive the tradition.

He said: "These parish ales, which the Puritans had done away with, were part of the culture and history of this country up until 1500.

"Because the tradition is to present the ale to your community at Whitsun, we thought that was the right timing."

He said whilst one of the goals was to raise funds for the "fabric of the church", it was primarily intended to bring the Wantage community together.

"We wanted to do something positive and fun... for ourselves and as a church but also for the people of the town and for people around us."

'Jesus enjoyed a party'

Kevin Brady, who runs Indigenous Brewery from his garage in Chaddleworth, near Newbury, Berkshire, said the ale's taste was intended to keep with tradition.

"They wanted it quite 'malt-forward' and not so hoppy, which you find with the trendier craft ales these days... I think it will go down well".

The Vicar of Wantage, Revd. Katherine Price said: "We know that Jesus enjoyed a drink and a party with his friends.

"We hope the [festival] will be an opportunity for parishioners and our wider community to enjoy good company, traditional entertainment and a convivial atmosphere."

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