Farmhouse ale Farmhouse ale Farmhouse ale is an ancient European tradition where farmers brewed beer for consumption on the farm from their own grain, hops, and yeast. Most farmers would brew for Christmas and/or harvest time, but in areas where they had enough grain farmers would use beer as the every-day drink. This was in a time when it was safer to drink beer than water. Farmhouse ale has enormous variation in the ingredients and brewing process used, both of which follow ancient local traditions. Today many microbreweries make beers they market as farmhouse ale, but in most cases the connection with
When Jones' Ale was New drink and dye his old face,<br> When Jones's ale was new, my boys, when Jones's ale was new.<br> In the Copper Family version, "The Jovial Tradesmen" from rural Sussex: The first to come in was the ploughman with sweat all on his brow,<br> Up with the lark at the break of day he guides the speedy plough.<br> He drives his team, how they do toil<br> O'er hill and valley to turn the soil,<br> When Jones's ale was new, my boys, when Jones's ale was new.<br> (The Copper Family version also includes verses introducing a blacksmith and a scytheman, both important