Ale Conner
Taste every brew in town and make sure it's good enough for the price, as the law requires. An official post, sworn before the court. Yes, it is a real job.
c. 1266 – 1800About the role
From 1266, English law fixed the price and quality of ale, and every town appointed officials to enforce it. Ale conners visited each brewer, tasted the new batch and decided whether it was fit to sell, and at what price. Brewers who cut corners were fined. The office still exists, ceremonially, in the City of London.
In the Market Town Replica, you'll be sworn in at the manor court and given a round of eleven alehouses. A brewer will hang a bush over the door when a new batch is ready. You'll go in, taste it, judge it and set its price. You'll be very popular, and very carefully watched.
What you'll do
- Visit any alehouse that has hung out its bush, and taste the new batch.
- Judge each ale on quality, strength and measure.
- Set a fair price according to the assize.
- Report brewers who sell short measures to the manor court.
- Stay upright for the whole round. Pacing is a professional skill.
What we're looking for
- A refined palate and a strong constitution.
- Impartiality. Brewers will be very friendly.
- Good judgment, especially late in the round.
- A willingness to be sworn in before the court.
Perks
- A tasting cupPewter, engraved with your office. Never empty for long.
- An oath of officeSworn before the court. Framed in your kitchen.
- A round of eleven alehousesWalkable, in theory. A cart follows, just in case.
