Strike a Light is pleased to say that Harvey Brewery in Lewes are inaugurating a very special ale tomorrow to celebrate a centenary since the birth of Sussex singer and song collector Bob Copper of the noted singing Copper Family. It links in beautifully with our recent Ale and Hearty project.
Bob Copper Centenary Brew
Tomorrow (6th January 2015) is the Centenary of the birth of Bob Copper (1915-2004).
In his lifetime Bob Copper was responsible for collecting and recording many local folk songs, not only preserving the tunes and lyrics but ensuring that the style in which they were sung remained true to his forefathers. In an obituary in The Independent newspaper, he was described as “England’s most important traditional folk-singer.”
Harvey’s Brewery in Lewes will be brewing a ‘Copper Ale’ (6% vol.) tomorrow, Tuesday 6th January, at 8.30 am. It will be brewed in the presence of the Copper family, who will sing ‘Oh Good Ale’ while the malted barley is mashed with the spring water. Sussex hops will be added to the resultant sugars and the mixture will be boiled in the ‘Copper’ prior to cooling and fermentation.
It is of good ale to you I’ll sing
And to good ale I’ll always cling,
I like my mug filled to the brim
And I’ll drink all you’d like to bring,
O, good ale, thou art my darling,
Thou art my joy both night and morning.
(Traditional)
The beer will be available for the (sold out) Bob Copper Centenary Event in London this month.