ALE-CONNER, an officer appointed yearly at the court-leet of ancient English manors for the assize of ale and ale-measures. The gustatores cervisiae—called in different localities by the differ ent names "ale-tasters," "ale-founders" and "ale-conners" were sworn to examine beer and ale, to take care that they were good and wholesome and were sold at proper prices. With modern methods of assessing the excise on beer and ale the custom of appointing ale-tasters has in most places fallen into disuse. (See ADULTERATION. )