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Canterbury returns to cathedral brew
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1342015,00.html
Martin Wainwright
Wednesday November 3, 2004
The Guardian
The long partnership between the church and beer took another step forward yesterday, with the return of a "cathedral brew" to Canterbury.
Like Chaucer's pilgrims, including the friar who knew the taverns, landlords and barmaids in every town en route, visitors can now sup ale after touring the ancient heart of the Church of England.
"This is a fun thing," said Canon Richard Marsh, head of the library and archives at Canterbury, which record a tradition going back to medieval times of churchmen experimenting with hops and yeast. "Our new beer is based on an old Kentish recipe, and, when drunk in moderation, will remind people of the fun and friendship of a visit to the cathedral."
Available off-licence or to sip in situ, the beer comes from Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, which is based at Faversham near Canterbury. The brewery has its own religious tradition. Apart from an annual blessing of the hops service, the company named its best known beer, Bishop's Finger, after medieval signposts along the pilgrim's way to Canterbury.
Clare Pope, a spokeswoman for the brewery, said that Cathedral Ale was 6.5% alcohol by volume and "a malty ale with toffee and sultana flavours balanced by Kentish hops".
Cathedral beer was last sold at Canterbury in 1828, when the growth of cheaper, commercial outlets ended a practice that had survived the dissolution of the monasteries and scores of reforms to Anglican doctrine and ceremony.
The revival follows the launch of a minster ale at Ripon cathedral; the long-standing success of Lindisfarne Mead, made from honey and grapes on Holy Island in Northumberland; and the production of a northern Cathedral Ale and St Oswald's bitter at Durham.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1342015,00.html
Martin Wainwright
Wednesday November 3, 2004
The Guardian
The long partnership between the church and beer took another step forward yesterday, with the return of a "cathedral brew" to Canterbury.
Like Chaucer's pilgrims, including the friar who knew the taverns, landlords and barmaids in every town en route, visitors can now sup ale after touring the ancient heart of the Church of England.
"This is a fun thing," said Canon Richard Marsh, head of the library and archives at Canterbury, which record a tradition going back to medieval times of churchmen experimenting with hops and yeast. "Our new beer is based on an old Kentish recipe, and, when drunk in moderation, will remind people of the fun and friendship of a visit to the cathedral."
Available off-licence or to sip in situ, the beer comes from Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, which is based at Faversham near Canterbury. The brewery has its own religious tradition. Apart from an annual blessing of the hops service, the company named its best known beer, Bishop's Finger, after medieval signposts along the pilgrim's way to Canterbury.
Clare Pope, a spokeswoman for the brewery, said that Cathedral Ale was 6.5% alcohol by volume and "a malty ale with toffee and sultana flavours balanced by Kentish hops".
Cathedral beer was last sold at Canterbury in 1828, when the growth of cheaper, commercial outlets ended a practice that had survived the dissolution of the monasteries and scores of reforms to Anglican doctrine and ceremony.
The revival follows the launch of a minster ale at Ripon cathedral; the long-standing success of Lindisfarne Mead, made from honey and grapes on Holy Island in Northumberland; and the production of a northern Cathedral Ale and St Oswald's bitter at Durham.