Ale conner

Ale-conners were sworn "to examine and assay the beer and ale, and to take care that they were good and wholesome, and sold at proper prices according to the assize; and also to present all defaults of brewers to the next court-leet." The mediaeval post of ale conner was far from a popular or sought-after position. Hops are a preservative, so before the introduction of hopping, ale would not keep well and had to be brewed on site, meaning there were many small breweries to visit. In addition, ale frequently "went off" for the same reason, so tasting it was not uniformly pleasant. Finally, as a representative of the authorities and dispenser of fines, an ale-conner could become unpopular in the community. Ale-conners sometimes had to be impressed into service, and the post was often rotated amongst a number of individuals. ==Modern-day==

The City of London The tradition is still maintained in the City of London. The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica reports: The officers were historically chosen by the liverymen of London to inspect the measures used in public houses. The title is now a sinecure. In 2007, Dr Christine Rigden, past Sheriff of London, became one of the four ale conners, the first woman appointed to the position in the City of London in the role's 700-year history. The Guildable Manor of Southwark Ale conners are still appointed by the Guildable Manor of Southwark. ==References==