A Norfolk brewery is set to revive an ancient East Anglian folk tradition as it looks to grow and malt its own barley.

Grain brewery, based in Alburgh, south Norfolk, is nestled in the heart of barley growing country and will host the Blessing of the Barley Queen.

According to local folklore, the event took place after the spring equinox when a local lady “mature in years and wisdom” was chosen as the Barley Queen to bestow her blessings on the crops, calling on the four elements of nature. As is often the case, the event was followed by a drinking celebration.

In line with this tradition, Grain will host it’s very first blessing - the first in decades - on Saturday 27 April.

Jennifer Mead (pictured) who lives in Alburgh, has been chosen as this year’s queen. She will bless Grain’s first crop of barley in a field by the village church before a celebration back at the brewery.

Brewery owner Phil Halls said: “We’re reviving the Blessing of the Barley Queen, to have a bit of fun at the brewery, but also to celebrate the farming community of the area and the fact that later this year we will malt our own barley to produce a born-in-Alburgh, brewed-in-Alburgh beer.

“Barley has been grown at South Farm, where we are based, for many years, but with our own malting equipment, we will for the first time be able to brew beer from the farm’s barley.

“The Bond family, which has worked South Farm for generations, is very excited by the idea, and has dedicated a half-acre of crop, growing in front of Alburgh church, for the project – and it sits on the St Michael and St Mary ley line. To grow the barley, brew the beer, and then enjoy a pint of it at the taproom, all within a mile of each other will be a special experience.

“To make sure the barley grows to its very best, we are reviving this medieval tradition that we understand took place in the Waveney Valley, according to historian Walter Rye, in his series of essays on Norfolk.”

On the day, the Barley Queen will bless the crop before local vicar Christopher Hutton joins her to provide a Christian blessing.

Hutton said: “With the revival of the Barley Queen, it will be lovely to be part of the celebration, and as the local rector, to add a Christian blessing of prayer for a good crop of Alburgh barley. Beer brewing and the church have a long history, and it will be great to see a true Alburgh beer, from the field overlooked by Alburgh church.”