Gloucester sheriff tests ale in quirky medieval tradition

The ale testing required a town crier, an ale conner, city guardian and a sheriff

A quirky historic tradition that involves a city's sheriff testing the quality of ale with a wooden stool, leather breeches and an egg timer has taken place.

Gloucester's Sheriff's Assize of Ale dates back to medieval times and was reintroduced to the city in 2003.

It stems from when the sheriff was responsible for ensuring the ale in the city was of "palatable quality" and puts pubs across Gloucester to the test.

The yearly tradition raises money for charity - and this year the City Farm and The Music Works will benefit.

Over the years the tradition has raised £15,000.

A small amount of ale is poured onto a wooden stool

Organisers described the current sheriff as the "best-qualified ever" to oversee the tradition.

The role is being carried out by councillor Justin Hudson, who is the owner of Butler's Venue Bar in the city's Eastgate Street and the long-term chair of Gloucester's Licensed Victuallers Association - the trade body for licenses in the city.

The sheriff has an "Ale Conner", whose job it is to sit on a wooden stool, on which a small amount of ale has been poured, wearing a pair of leather breeches.

The ale conner, clad in leather breeches, sat on a wooden stool to test the ale

If after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test.

But if the Ale Conner can move freely at the end of the three minutes, it passes.

The tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by former Gloucester City Council leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff of Gloucester and has taken place each year since then, other than a two-year gap for the pandemic.

The event takes place over two sessions, the first on Thursday 12 October and the second on Saturday.

The first ale testing was at Hop Kettle Brewery, a new bar which opens on Friday

The Sheriff declared the ale at the first testing as good quality

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