Introduction
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drink beer from the 1930s? Well, now you have a chance to find out. A Coronation Ale brewed with English hops specifically for Edward VIII’s coronation in 1937 is going up for auction on May 5, 2023, the day before the coronation of King Charles.
The Story Behind the Beer
The beer was never consumed as Edward VIII abdicated the throne before his marriage ceremony to Wallis Simpson, an American socialite. His brother, George VI, then became king. A total of 2,000 bottles of the specialty ale were made by British brewer Greene King, which is still in operation today. All these beer bottles went into storage and were discovered in Greene King’s cellars during renovation work in 2011.
The Auction
After 86 years, Greene King will put all bottles up for auction, which will raise money for the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity established by King Charles. However, Greene King specified that the beers are only collector’s items and shouldn’t be ingested.
Thirsty for a Coronation Ale?
If anyone is absolutely thirsting for a Coronation Ale, then Greene King is working on an updated 2023 version for the coronation of King Charles that will be available to buy in pubs across the United Kingdom and online.
The Coronation of King Charles III
The Coronation of King Charles III takes place on May 6, 2023. The service at Westminster Abbey begins at 11 am local time. The King’s Escort of the Household Cavalry will gather at Buckingham Palace at 9:45 a.m, and shortly after that the King and Queen’s Consort will join the King’s Procession and travel from the palace to the Abbey, arriving at 10:53 a.m. At 11 a.m. the King and Queen Consort will enter the Abbey. The service is likely to start with a recognition of the new monarch, where the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, presents the new king to the people and invites them to say, “God Save King Charles.“ The core of the ceremony is Charles receiving Holy Communion and being anointed with oil, a tradition that can be traced to the Old Testament, symbolizing the divine blessing on the monarch.
Conclusion
In summary, the historic Coronation Ale from the 1930s is going up for auction before the coronation of King Charles. While the beer is only a collector’s item, a new version will be available for those who are thirsty for a Coronation Ale. The coronation itself is set to take place on May 6, 2023, and will include traditional ceremonies such as Holy Communion and anointing with oil.
