“Having revived the old parish ale tradition last year, we’re pleased to be running this successful event again,” said The Revd Katherine Price, The Vicar of Wantage.
Bringing back a centuries-old English custom, the St Peter and St Paul Wantage parish church is once again serving parish ale, a milestone celebrated with a brand-new, hand-painted free house sign installed outside.
The church will welcome the local community on Saturday 9 May for its second annual Parish Ale Festival, where attendees can grab a pint of DiscipAle, a custom brew crafted specifically for Wantage by Indigenous Brewery.
“We see it as reflecting the Church’s historical commitment to hospitality,” Price said. “We think of our church as a free house – in that God’s house is freely open to everyone in our community.”
This gathering honors the time-honored practice of the parish ale—once widespread throughout England—where local congregations would brew and sell beer to generate income and foster community bonds.
Things kick off at midday with a vibrant lunchtime program showcasing classic routines by the Icknield Way Morrismen alongside Mabel Gubbins, an all-women sword dancing troupe.
Throughout the afternoon, guests can partake in light lunches accompanied by the unique brew, while the festivities persist into the night featuring a 7pm Cakes & Ale Ceilidh set to the tunes of Oxfordshire folk outfit Melobo.
To help advertise the gathering, church member and graphic artist Christopher Howson crafted a unique exterior sign patterned after classic pub boards, incorporating crossed keys for Saint Peter and a blade representing Saint Paul.
Across Oxfordshire, renewed enthusiasm for parish ales has surged over the past few years, helping congregations tie back into an age-old heritage that blended community spirit, festivities, and charitable giving.
The daytime session is open to all with no booking required, while tickets for the evening ceilidh are available online.
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