Church-ale

Definitions

  • Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Church-ale A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n church-ale A strong ale of good quality brewed especially for a church festival, and broached only on the day of the feast in question.
    • n church-ale A convivial meeting on the occasion of a church festival, at which the ale specially brewed was served.
    • n church-ale A custom of collecting contributions of malt from the parishioners, with which a quantity of ale was brewed, and sold for the payment of church expenses: used in this later sense about or soon after the time of Magna Charta.
    • ***
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • ns Church-ale a strong ale brewed for a church festival: the festival at which the ale was drunk
    • ***

Etymology

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
A.S. circe (Scot, kirk; Ger. kirche)—Gr. kyriakon, belonging to the Lord—Kyrios, the Lord.

Usage

In literature:

The churchwardens had taken advantage of the unusual concourse of strangers as the occasion of a Church ale.
"A Cotswold Village" by J. Arthur Gibbs
The world is to him at once a map and a history and a poem and a church and an ale-house.
"Old and New Masters" by Robert Lynd
Moreover, it was agreed that he should have a clerk's ale in the church house.
"The Parish Clerk (1907)" by Peter Hampson Ditchfield
This holiday was notorious for the "Church-ales," which were held at this season.
"Old English Sports" by Peter Hampson Ditchfield
Ale was brewed at church from malt brought collectively by the people.
"The Book of Hallowe'en" by Ruth Edna Kelley
He tells her that he has {118} been very fortunate at the church-ale (Kirmes), and bids her prepare supper at once.
"The Standard Operaglass" by Charles Annesley
So did the ale-house keeper, who had the grace to come to church.
"Greene Ferne Farm" by Richard Jefferies
Neither Evan nor Ales was at church on the Sunday to hear the banns read the second time.
"The Making of William Edwards" by Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks
The accompanying Figure (23), one of the misereres in Ludlow parish church, Shropshire, represents the end of a wicked ale-wife.
"Demonology and Devil-lore" by Moncure Daniel Conway
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In poetry:

But give him his ale and cider,
Give him his pipe and song,
Little he cared for Church or State,
Or the balance of right and wrong.
"Cobbler Keezar's Vision" by John Greenleaf Whittier

In news:

In late October, Kim and I made a beer with Big Al Brewing — Beer Church Pale Ale .
blog.seattlepi.com
Beer Church Pale Ale ready to get to work.
blog.seattlepi.com
We've talked about this here on the Blog already, but we want to remind you that tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov 23rd) is the worldwide release of Beer Church Pale Ale .
blog.seattlepi.com
In late October, Kim and I made a beer with Big Al Brewing — Beer Church Pale Ale.
blog.seattlepi.com
We've talked about this here on the Blog already, but we want to remind you that tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov 23rd) is the worldwide release of Beer Church Pale Ale.
blog.seattlepi.com
Introducing Beer Church Midnight Mass, a Holiday Pale Ale .
blog.seattlepi.com
You are reading Introducing Beer Church Midnight Mass, a Holiday Pale Ale by Kendall Jones, as originally posted on The Washington Beer Blog.
blog.seattlepi.com
Now on tap around Seattle – Beer Church Pale Ale.
blog.seattlepi.com
Beer Church Pale Ale will be going on tap today at Vino Bello in Burien (a sponsor of this-here blog, thank you very much).
blog.seattlepi.com
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Related words