church ale
/ˈtʃəːtʃ eɪl/historical since 18th cent
noun
A festivity during which ale is drunk, held by or in connection with a church especially to raise money for church repair, the poor, etc.
- The ale drunk or the malt for brewing it was sometimes contributed by the parishioners themselves.Church ales were suppressed at the Reformation, and forbidden by canon from being held in any church or churchyard. However it is clear that the practice continued for some time afterwards, probably dying out during the early 18th cent..
Origin
Late Middle English. From church + ale.