AN age-old tradition has been brought back to life after an absence of hundreds of years with the appointment of an official ale taster for the freemen of Hale Village.
The Lord Mayor of Hale David Hudson led a group of freemen in full ceremonial robes around the pubs in Halebank and Hale and the act of testing the beer was carried out in accordance with authentic tradition.
Mr Hudson has decided to reinstate the role of ale taster throughout his three years as Lord Mayor and hopes to refine the ceremony after consulting the history books.
The ale taster's role dates back to 1304 when the Lord Mayor of Hale was first appointed.
As lord of the manor, the Lord Mayor had the right collect taxes and check the beer in the local pubs was up to scratch.
In accordance with tradition, the taster appeared at the door of each pub, starting with the Beehive in Halebank - the town crier Mall Sutton rung his bell at the doorway and asked the landlord in a loud voice 'are you ready to have your beer tested?'
Stunned customers looked on in amazement as the manager placed a pint of bitter on the bar and Ralph Mills, the beer taster, held the pint in the air, lit a candle and held it underneath the glass while he scrutinised its clarity.
As ever, the true test was in the taste - Ralph sampled the ale and once satisfied, declared to the whole pub the ale was 'of sufficient quality to put in a man's stomach!'
The process was then repeated at several other pubs in Halebank and Hale, including the Cock and Trumpet and the Mersey View. Then it was back to Hale, where the freemen inspected the ale being served at the Childe of Hale and the Wellington.
Ralph said: 'I have no problems with this role. I am very well qualified for it. I am now in my 60th year and have probably got more than 40 years of experience in these matters!'
