Also 4–6 alekonner, 6–7 alecunner. [f. ALE- 1 + CONNER, OE. cunnere a trier.] An examiner or inspector of ale: ‘An officer appointed in every court-leet, and sworn to look to the assize and goodness of bread, ale, and beer, sold within the jurisdiction of the leet.’ Phillips, 1706. ‘Four of them are chosen annually by the common-hall of the city; and whatever might be their use formerly, their places are now regarded only as sinecures for decayed citizens.’ Johnson, 1755. Still a titular office in some burghs.
c. 1350. Chart. Edw. III., in Liber Albus, 316. Serement de Alekonners.
1566. Drant, Horace, Sat., IV. C b. Not Tygille nor such alecunners my workes do overprye.
1630. Tincker of Turvey, Ep. Ded. 4. The autenticall drinke of England, the whole barmy-tribe of ale-cunners never layd their lips to the like.
1683. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 278. Some of the liveries of the companies mett, and … chose … Mr. Welling to be aleconner.
1859. H. Riley, Liber Albus, Introd. 61. Immediately a brewing was finished, it was the duty of the brewer … to send for the Ale-conner of the Ward, in order to taste the ale.
1876. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 9), I. 476. In London four aleconners are still chosen annually by the liverymen in common hall assembled on Midsummer Day.
