The Wantage Parish Ale Festival, celebrated on June 7, was a lively event filled with food, drink, and dancing.
The festival programme highlighted the historical roots of Parish Ales, which were popular in medieval England and typically brewed at Whitsun, often to raise money for church repairs. This tradition faded after the Reformation and is referenced in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” when Sir Toby queries Malvolio: “Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?”
An exciting addition to the festival was “DiscipAle,” a unique brew crafted by Kevin Brady of Indigenous Brewery in Chaddleworth, in collaboration with Wantage Parish and the West Downland Benefice community. The ale, blending Maris Otter and Light Crystal grain with Perle, Fuggles, and Goldings hops, was ceremoniously blessed by Katherine, Vicar of Wantage, alongside Mike, Rector of the Benefice.
The branding for DiscipAle features an artistic icon-style drawing by Katherine, depicting St Peter, a patron of Wantage, and St James, Chaddleworth’s patron. The community lovingly speculates that these brotherly fishermen would have relished a pint of this bespoke ale.
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