The liquor in which healths were drunk; esp. the spiced ale used in Twelfth-night and Christmas-eve celebrations.

= hocking-ale n. at hock, v.2 derivatives.

ale brewed for the festival at Hocktide; the festival itself, at which collections were made for parochial purposes.

(probably) ale drunk at a festivity held by or in connection with a church; cf. church ale, n.

Strong ale brewed in large quantities for a feast. Also (Orkney): a feast given by tenants for their landlords each Christmas, at which this ale is…

(see quot.).

an ale-drinking for the benefit of the parish clerk; also, the ale then provided.

(elliptically audit) ale of special quality brewed (at certain Colleges in the English Universities), originally for use on the day of audit.

(A type of) ale served at or brewed for a wedding; spec. the ale served at a medieval or early modern wedding (historical).

(see quot.).