| Where: | Gloucester at numerous venues around the city centre |
| When: | Late October evenings and Saturday around mid-day |
| Time: | Evenings from 7pm- 7.30 to 9.30 pm approx, Saturdays noon until approx 2pm |
The annual Assize of Ale is an ancient custom revived in Gloucester over 20 years ago as a charity fundraising event. The Assize of Bread and Ale was a thirteenth century statute setting out quality control for those staples of the English diet, in an early form of consumer protection to ensure that customers were given good quality comestibles in fair measures. It was the first law of this type in England and a few places in England still carry out inspections of vendor’s premises to check the wholesomeness of their wares, which are now a good excuse to raise money for good causes in an enjoyable fashion. At Gloucester, the procession of notables in medieval costume is led by the Town Crier around the numerous hostelries in the city centre to confirm the wholesomeness and palatability of the beer on offer. The Ale Conner pours a sample onto his stool and sits on it wearing leather pants- the Sheriff makes sure he sits down for 3 minutes (using an egg timer) and if the Conner is able to rise from his seat without sticking to it, the drink is deemed to be good and the pub is awarded a certificate by the Sheriff. Prior to pouring the sample, the Ale Conner has his breeches searched by volunteers to ascertain whether or not rival establishments have introduced magnets into his attire in order to make him adhere to the stool to the discredit of the inspected premises- these helpful folk are obviously doing a great job as he never sticks! The party visits a large number of premises, usually over a couple of evenings and the Saturday lunchtime, and bucket collections are made in aid of local charities.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 the Assize was carried out on Thursday October 23rd and Saturday 25th October- 2026 dates are yet to be announced but likely to be around 24th. As there are many businesses involved, it’s a complex event to organise so like many other perambulations of this nature, the exact dates and timings are confirmed relatively near to the due date and may be subject to changes at short notice- keep checking the links below for all the details and the route. Each visit is around quarter of an hour, but can be a little variable.
It’s a civic event currently organised by the Gloucester BID as part of the Big Pub Push initiative in the city.
Click here for the BID Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterBID
and website: https://www.gloucesterbid.uk/
Click here for the Sheriff: https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/about-the-council/councillors-mps-and-mayor/the-mayor-and-the-sheriff/
Leave a Reply