THE AUDIT ALE FEAST

HELD AT THE FAT CAT 24 SEPTEMBER 2009

Feasts were often held to celebrate the presentation of a set of annual accounts, then known as an Audit. The Cutler's Feast in Sheffield that was first held in 1625 was for this purpose as were the feasts held in Cambridge and Oxford Colleges. Some of these feasts dated back to the thirteenth century. The university colleges that had their own breweries usually brewed a strong beer to be presented at the feast and these were sometimes called Audit Ales. As the university breweries closed during the last century commercial breweries were called upon to brew the audit ales for the feasts.
Reading the history of the feasts and the ales Dave Wickett, who has connections with both Sheffield Universities, thought it would be a good idea to revive the concept of the Audit Feast and of the Audit Ale.
The first such feast was held at The Fat Cat on September 24th 2009 and along with a number of beers, the feast concluded with a Yorkshire Cheese board and a 10.7% Special Audit Ale. A one third glass was drunk by all diners, a pin went on sale at the bar and all the Feast participants were given one of the limited edition bottles.
Attending the feast were 8 from The University of Sheffield, 8 from Kelham Island Brewery and 8 guests including The Master Cutler, The Deputy Lord Mayor, The Rt Honourable Richard Caborn MP, Andy Cullen the Sheffield Camra Chairman and Tim Hampson

The Audit Ale Feast Menu

Malted Beer Bread
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Watercress and leek soup
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Cold salad of kiln roast smoked salmon and prawns with crème fraiche and chive oil
(Vegetarian choice- Grilled Golden cross goats cheese with roasted beetroot and a honey and thyme dressing)
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Boiled beef in Kelham Island Bitter, braised carrots and Pale rider marinated Roast potatoes finished with parmesan
(Vegetarian choice- wild mushroom and pancake gateaux with herb cream sauce)
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Night rider ale poached pear, chocolate and Almond Tart
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Yorkshire cheese with biscuits, grapes and celery

Beers Served

Kelham Island: Bitter, Easy Rider dry hopped, Cadillac IPA, Pale Rider, Aged Night Rider and Audit Ale