I’ll drink to that... city seals future of ale and food feast

An agreement was signed at the university’s Firth Court to make Audit Feast, a celebration of ale and food, an annual event.

Audit Feast used to be a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages and was revived in 2009 by Kelham Island Brewery, with Sheffield University.

From the 14th century, Audit Ale was brewed by Oxbridge colleges to be drunk at the Audit Feast, held when the college’s accounts had been audited.

A spokesman for Sheffield University said: “Real ale boss Dave Wickett, the owner of the brewery and a graduate of Sheffield University, thought it would be an excellent idea to revive the tradition and hold a special dinner to celebrate beer and how different beers can be used to accompany and complement food – much as wine is.

“All the food for Audit Feast is prepared by a local chef making use of the finest local ingredients and Kelham Island beer.

“The first feast was held at The Fat Cat pub in 2009 and was considered by all those that attended to have been a great success.”

He added: “It was requested that it should be held annually and, small though it was, become part of Sheffield’s regular social scene.”

Future Audit Feasts will now be held at venues including the Cutlers’ Hall, the Town Hall and Firth Court at Sheffield University.

Those at the signing of the agreement yesterday included the Lord Mayor of Sheffield Alan Law, the Master Cutler, Bill Spiers and Mr Wickett from the brewery.