Wellington Ale Taster 2009 – The Results
On Friday 25th September 2009, the sun shone and the crowds gathered in the Wellington Market piazza, as five plucky contestants battled it out for the coveted title of Wellington Ale Taster.

After being inundated with applications for the role, following the announcement back in June, a shortlist was drawn up and the following five contestants were selected:

Stephen Betts – Bratton, Telford
Bill Jones – Wellington
Martin Scholes – Wellington
David Sudden-Wheatley – Wellington
Sophia Vaughan-Hodkinson – Hollinswood, Telford

The first four rounds of the contest saw the candidates pitted against one another in tasting challenges that involved locally produced ales, game meats, wines and cheeses.

Points were won and it was neck-and-neck as they entered the fifth and final round. This was probably, to some, the hardest challenge of all and entailed each of the contestants making a 30 second pitch to the panel of judges, telling them why they should be chosen as Ale Taster.

The three judges were: Lesley Arrowsmith, proprietor of Lesley’s Larder, Malcolm Ball, chief executive, Wellington Market Company Plc and David Goldingay, owner of The Ironbridge Brewery.

A clear winner emerged and Lord Lee of Trafford, chairman of Wellington Market Company, presented Stephen Betts a ceremonial oak carved tankard, oak chain and a selection of gifts from the local food and drink producers that had kindly supported the event.

Malcolm Ball, competition judge and chief executive of Wellington Market Company said: “I’d just like to thank everyone that took part, especially the organisations who provided support for the event.”

“If the audience enjoyed today’s contest as much as we, the judges, have, it was a job well done.

“The competition was tough, but Stephen demonstrated his knowledge and suitability for bringing the ancient role of Ale Taster into the 21st Century, so on behalf of everyone involved we’d like to offer him our congratulations.”

Commenting on his win, Stephen Betts added: “I’m excited about the new position and it’s good that Wellington Market has reintroduced the role.”

“Obviously, the job involves promoting local produce from Shropshire and I’m really looking forward the coming year.”

The History
The role of Ale Taster can be traced back to medieval times, when 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. 

The 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.

“Wellington Market was awarded its Charter in 1244, so the Ale Taster would have been a familiar sight right up to the 1840s when the position was phased out”, explained Phil Carey, from Wellington Market Company.

“Stephen will become an ambassador for the promotion of food and drink in the town and surrounding areas.

“Although ceremonial, it’s an important role, especially as modern tastes have evolved and become so much more sophisticated in recent times and people demand ever greater levels of quality and variety.”


Sponsors
Our thanks go to the following Shropshire-based food & drink producers and retailers who have kindly supported the Ale Taster event:

Lesley’s Larder
Telephone: 07792 792293
Lesley's Larder: Delicatessen

The Ironbridge Brewery
Telephone: 01952 433 910.
www.ironbridgebrewery.co.uk

Mr. Moyden’s Cheese
Telephone: 01952 810 798
www.mrmoyden.com

Willo Game
Telephone: 01588 650 539
www.willogame.co.uk

Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
Telephone: 01743 761 888
www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk