Real ale lovers are being “called to the bar” to judge a new beer inspired by an ancient ecclesiastical North Yorkshire court.
‘Theakston Masham Four & Twenty’ – a new seasonal beer from T&R Theakston Ltd – has been brewed in honour of 24 local men who, since the 12th Century have sat in judgement in the Court of the Peculier, created and overseen by the Church.
The Four & Twenty still exists today as a charitable organisation, and one of its number – who must hail from the town – is Theakston cooper, Jonathan Manby, the last fully employed craft brewery cooper operating in the UK.
T&R Theakston Ltd’s executive director Simon Theakston said:
We are very proud of our Masham heritage and Theakston Old Peculier – named after the Peculier of Masham – is our most famous beer of all.
There is usually a story behind the names of our seasonal ales, and this latest creation is no exception. We have named it in tribute to those two dozen local men who sat in judgement nine centuries ago, and to the current 24 who now help raise money for local good causes.
Because the present Four & Twenty is a charitable organisation, we have decided to donate a proportion of our sales of the ale to charity. We are confident it will prove to be another popular beer, and just like the Four & Twenty all those years ago, we are asking our customers and real ale fans to be the judge!
[sam id=”4″ codes=”true”]
The Rev David Cleeves, the Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Masham, said:
As the official of the Peculier Court of Masham, I recommend this tasty beer and thank Theakston Brewery for supporting this ‘Peculierly’ good cause.
