church-ale

Definitions

noun A strong ale of good quality brewed especially for a church festival, and broached only on the day of the feast in question.
noun A convivial meeting on the occasion of a church festival, at which the ale specially brewed was served.
noun 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.

noun A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used.

noun A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used.

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Before the Reformation there were no Poor Rates; the charitable dole given at the Religious Houses, and church-ale in every parish did the business.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 576, November 17, 1832 Various
He tells her that he has {118} been very fortunate at the church-ale

The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas Charles Annesley
"There were no rates for the poor in my grandfather's time," says one writer, "the church-ale of Whitsuntide did the business"; and whether the parishioners had to pay a tax for the support of the King's army, or to repair the church, or to maintain some orphan children, it was generally found "that something still remained to cover the bottom of the purse."

Old English Sports 1892
The church-ale is, doubtless, derived from the Agapai or

Old English Sports 1892
This church-ale is doubtless derived from the {Greek text: agapai}, or love-feast, mentioned in the New Testament.

Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects John Aubrey 1661
Northamptonshire, &c. There were no rates for the poor in my grandfather's days; but for Kington St. Michael (no small parish) the church-ale at Whitsuntide did the business.

Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects John Aubrey 1661