alebrewer

A brewer of ale. "The summer-made malt brews ill, and is disliked by most of our ale - brewers ."-Mortimer: Husbandry. *ale-conner, * ale-kenner, *ale founder, *ale-taster, s. [ Ale -conner or kenner means one who knows what good ale is.] One of four officers formerly chosen by the liverymen of the City of London, in common hall, on Midsummer Day, to inspect the measures used in public-houses, and ascertain that they were of the proper legal capacity. Similar officers existed also in other parts of England. "Headboroughs, tithing-men, ale -conners, and sidesmen are appointed, in the oaths incident to their offices, to be likewise charged to present the offences [of drunkenne ). " -Act of Parl. 21 Jac. 1., ch. 7. * ale-cost, s. [ Ale , and cost occurring in the Eng. word costmary; Lat. costum; Gr. κόστος ( kostos ) = an Oriental aromatic plant, Costus speciosus.] An old English name of the common costmary, Pyrethrum tan acetum, formerly called Balsam it a vulgar is , a composite plant. The appellation was given because the plant was put into ale. *ale-draper, s . A common designation for an ale-house keeper in the sixteenth century. "Well, I get me a wife; with her a little money; when we are married, seek a house we must; no other occupation have I but to be an ale-druper."-H. Chettle: Kind -harts Dreames (ed. Rimbault), p. 87. *ale-drapery, s. The selling of ale. "Two milch maydens that had set up a shoppe of ale-drapery." - H. Chettle: Kind-harts Dreame (ed Rimbault), p. 20.