Rare coronation ales from 86 years ago to go under the hammer

The rare beer has been lying in storage in a cellar owned by pub company and brewer Greene King following the abandoned coronation almost 86 years ago.

It came after the prospective King abdicated the throne on December 10, 1936, before the event could take place.

To celebrate the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III, several crates of the unearthed beer will be auctioned off tomorrow (May 5), with all proceeds going to the charity founded by King Charles III, The Prince’s Trust.

As part of the auction process, Greene King is working alongside renowned royal historian and author, Professor Kate Williams, to delve into the history behind the cancelled coronation.

Professor Williams said: “It is absolutely fascinating that these beers have been lying in the cellar for 86 years, having originally been brewed to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VIII on May 12, 1937.

“We know that when Edward succeeded his father as King in January 1936, there was already doubt in his mind that he wanted to proceed, due to his relationship with Wallis Simpson.

"At the time, members of the Royal Family weren’t permitted to marry divorcees, and this clearly weighed on his mind.

“The elaborate coronation preparations took over a year to arrange, but by the time the event came around he had already abdicated, leaving the ceremony, and these celebratory beers, redundant.”

The beers were originally found in 2011 when work was undertaken in the south yard cellars of the brewery site but have since been left untouched. The original recipe was 12 per-cent ABV and had a rich fruit flavour, using barley and English hops.

To celebrate the upcoming coronation and commemorate a key moment in history, Greene King has developed its own 2023 edition of the Coronation Ale.

To find out more information on the Coronation Ale, or the auction for The Prince’s Trust, visit greenekingbrewery.co.uk/1937-coronation-ale/