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A Cardiff pub that turned away seven Catholic priests after they thought they were on a stag do has renamed a local beer after them to say sorry.

The group of seminarians were celebrating the ordination of father Peter McClaren at the Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral of St David, near Queen Street, on Saturday when they decided to head to their local for a pint or two.

But when they got to The City Arms on Quay Street “en mass” there was a slight mix-up – and the bartender tried to throw them out thinking they were in fancy dress .

(Image: Brains)

Just as they were heading out the door, the manager heard their prayers and realised the mistake and invited them back in for a round on him, to the applause from locals.

And now the pub have named a popular beer they were drinking after them as way of an apology.

(Image: Brains)

After spotting one of the priests called Reverend James drinking a popular beer – The Rev James – the company who own the chain, Brains, are renaming the ale to “The Thirsty Priests”.

The beer, described as a “rich, warming ale with a clean, rewarding finish” will be on sale soon in the capital’s pub.

It also has a witty slogan, which reads “saving souls and satisfying thirsts”.

Tim Lewis, PR Manager for Brains, said: “We wanted to do something as a ‘thank you’ to the priests for taking the misunderstanding in such good spirits.

“We thought what could be better than renaming The Rev James, their favourite ale, in their honour.

“It had to be something that captured the light-hearted nature of the story and we think the ‘Thirsty Priests’ is perfect.

“It’s going to be on the bar in the City Arms from this weekend and no doubt it will be a real talking point.

“The incident has brought worldwide attention to the City Arms with people from places as far away as America and New Zealand getting in touch with the brewery about it.”

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the priests back for a pint or two of Thirsty Priests in the near future.”

Father Michael Doyle, one of the priests who was almost turned away from the City Arms, said: "While we cannot endorse commercial products, the rebranding of a much-loved drink such as the Rev James to commemorate what has been an astounding worldwide response to a genuine and humorous mistake shows the good spirit in which Brains and the staff of the City Arms have also taken the recent event and attention."