Gloucester Assize of Ale looking for 'conner'

2 hours ago

Mae DavageGloucestershire

News image — The event has been organised to coincide with 'Big Pub Bash' organised by Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID)

Ross Campbell There are 13 people, all dressed in medieval-style costumes, standing in a line in front of The Lord High Constable of England pub in Gloucester. It is dark but there are string light bulbs above their heads. One man on the right-hand side of the image is holding a small wooden stool. — The event has been organised to coincide with 'Big Pub Bash' organised by Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID)

An ancient tradition which sees a city sheriff tour pubs to rate the quality of their beet is returning to Gloucester on Thursday.

Organisers of the Sheriff's Assize of Ale, which will be visiting pubs at the city's docks and quay, are this year looking for a 'guest ale conner'.

Whoever is chosen for the role will have to sit in poured beer for three minutes to test its quality in an unorthodox spectacle.

The assize will begin at 19:00 BST at Dr Foster in Gloucester Quays before continuing on to venues including The Hop Kettle and The Lord High Constable of England.

Each year, the Sheriff's Assize of Ale raises money for a selection of charities, which this year are Venture Community Hub, Gloucester District Scouts and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Organiser Paul James said that the decision to bring in a guest ale conner was made in order to make the event "as interactive as possible".

Contributed A group of 10 people, including one child, are all standing in a group and wearing medieval outfits. One man is sat down at the front and is holding a silver tankard. They have some metal railings behind them and the sky behind them is grey. — The Sheriff's Assize of Ale previously toured venues in the city centre and Kingsholm on 3 October 2026

How does it work?

The Sheriff, Councillor Anne Radley, pours a small amount of ale onto a wooden stool, which the ale conner then sits on while wearing a pair of leather breeches.

After three minutes, the ale conner stands up. If their shorts do not stick to the stool, the ale passes the test and is of acceptable quality.

If the shorts do stick to the stool, it means that not enough of the sugar has turned into alcohol and the ale is dubbed "inferior".

"We always joke that it means we've got to close the pub down, but luckily we haven't had to close any down so far," said James.

The event has raised approximately £25,000 for charity since its reintroduction, and James is hopeful it will also help venues in the city.

"It's important to support these hospitality businesses, they've been going through a tough time recently and it's the case that we've got to use them or lose them, which we certainly don't want," he said.

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