London Ale Taster Embarks on 300 Pub Quest

Spitalfields, London, UK – The London Ale Taster, who was recently appointed in a ceremony at Old Spitalfields Market, London, has embarked on an epic year-long quest to visit over 300 London pubs in search of the very best ales, writing a blog about his experiences along the way. Steve Williams, a 49-year-old Chartered Accountant from South West London, took the coveted crown of ale taster in front of an assembled crowd at Old Spitalfields Market earlier this summer. He commented: "I am delighted to be the winner of this coveted role. The judges decided that my passion for beer was the deciding factor and I will do my best to make sure I live up to the title of London Ale Taster. Cheers!" “I’ve started my journey at Old Spitalfields Market, near Liverpool Street station, and I have already visited a string of venues, including the famous Atlas pub, the historic Fullers pub Hung, Drawn and Quartered, and I have been lucky enough to receive an invite to a lock-in at one of the most secure buildings in the world, The Tower of London, in a pub called Yeomen Warders. “Old Spitalfields Market is providing me with a modest beer budget, so that I can drink incognito, offering a truly impartial view on the quality of the beers and the pubs and bars that they are served in. “If anyone has any feedback on pubs that I’ve visited or suggestions as to pubs I should include in my travels, I would be delighted to hear from them. They can contact me via my blog at www.londonaletaster.co.uk” In medieval times, ordinary citizens were appointed to oversee and inspect various aspects of everyday life, effectively doing the work of our modern Inspectors of Weights and Measures. Not surprisingly, one of the most popular offices to be held was that of the Ale Taster. His duties involved visiting stalls and inns on market days and during the town’s fairs to ensure that the ales, beers and other produce on sale were of good quality. This role has now been modernised to meet the changed tastes and expectations of consumers within the food and drink sector, and Steve intends to offer as much insight to the people of London as he can as he reviews the many venues throughout his journey. The London Ale Tasters Blog can be found at http://www.londonaletaster.co.uk/ Old Spitalfields Market is a short walk from Liverpool Street Station and Aldgate East Tube – please visit www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com for further information. ENDS

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