In this episode learn about meaning behind Wassail and Drink Hail from the Butler himself, Al Sax.
A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward.
A Wassail is also a cheer
When you hear someone say "Wassail" it means -Be Healthy!
The reply is "Drink hail" – To your health!
Al as the Butler at the Wassail
When time of year to Wassail?
Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night. Or on the 17th of January which is called "Old Twelvey"
Procession to the main Wassail fire
In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways.
Where do Wassails take place?
In the orchard surrounding a large fire, a fire circle and in some places 12 small rings of fire for the 12 apostles or for the twelve signs of the Zodiac.
Indoor Wassails are also doable for those who can't go outside during -6 degree temperatures. Thus, a Wassail can take place at a Senior Center or a Day Care with songs being sung around a plant or small tree.
How to Make a Torch for Wassailing
The end goal is all the same, to sing to the orchard, the apple tree(s), to ward off the apple foes and to harken in better times ahead.
The Old Apple Tree of the Wassail
How to Plan for your own Wassail
Have a fire keeper who will make sure the wood is ready and lit to greet the parade of merry makers
Set a meeting spot for everyone to gather and then walk to the oldest or largest apple tree. The fire is often very nearby.
Have "Safe" Torches, flashlights to lead the crowd to the main fire
Have some hot mulled cider, which is always good for a loud "Wassail and Drink Hail" reply
Have a Master of the Ceremony or what is known as the "Butler"
Select a King and Queen
Have slices of Toasted bread
Have Cider to drink and to pour a bit on the toast and onto the ground
Hand out lyrics to the Wassail songs
The King and Queen lead the group up to the Apple Tree
Place the toast on the limbs
Pour cider on the roots of the tree
Make noise to ward off the evil spirts – this is your chance to call out "Wassail" and then reply "Drink Hail"!
If Morris Dancers are available they would do a dance or two
Have a taste of two of Wassail – pick an option that best suits your crowd. It can be a hot mulled cider, with or without spices or fortified with brandy, perhaps a wee bit of honey?
A two handled cup or goblet is the classic Wassail cup that would be passed round, but these days any fine drinking cup would do sans the passing around.
Wassail and Drink Hail around the world
Willie Smiths Cider in Tasmania hosts an annual "Mid Winter Festival" in July
There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Are you a cider fan? Then follow this podcast on twitter @ciderchat In this chat: Agathe Letellier is making cider, pommeau and calvados at her cidery Manoir d'Apreval in Pennedepie in Normandy, France. It is a coastal c…
Appels en Perren is the first retail store in Amsterdam selling only Apple and Pear products from the Netherlands and European countries such as France, Germany and the UK. In this week's chat we speak with Heleen Nobel…
Simultaneous cider events! Oh My! In this chat I provide insider tips on: The 2016 CiderDays Schedule, held in Franklin County Massachusetts on the first week of November since 1994 Where to buy cider Where to find bulk…
With a bit of history on the oldest Cider Fest in the US held the 1st weekend of November. CiderDays (yes it has always been spelled as one word) was founded in 1994, by Judith and Terry Maloney or West County Cider in C…
Dr. John Cline and Derek Plotkowski chat on the study of pomes, i.e., Pomology and their current research on cider apples. They are based at the University of Guelph in Ontario Canada. John Cline Pomology and Cider in On…
Meet Sebastian Lousada Flag Hill Farm makers of what they call Vermont Organic Hard Cider, is fully off the grid, certified organic, and producers of both cider and Pomme-de-vie AND I bet you haven't heard of it! So Grab…
Colin Davis is Production Manager and cidermaker at Shacksbury, a cidery based in northern Vermont in the town of Shoreham. Shacksbury was incorporated in 2013 and began selling ciders in 2014. Unlike many new startups t…
Jennifer Smith the Executive Director of New York Cider Association and Sara Grady Founder of NY Cider Week discuss the state's commitment to cider and upcoming events. I sat down for a chat with these two women who are…
Emily Ritchie is the Executive Director of the Northwest Cider Association a region covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. This region's cider scene is on fire and growing! Emily Ritchie The No…
Quebrada del Chucao is a family owned cidery in Villarica (vee aree-ka), a village located in southern Chile. The Nahrwold family along with cousin Diego Rivera have been making cider commercially since 2012. Villarica i…
