Wanted: Beer taster for ‘world’s best job’

London, May 20 (ANI): The good-old position of the ale taster is being resurrected by a London market, which calls it the “best job in the world”.

The holder of the voluntary post will have to sample beers from London pubs to “test for quality”.

The job has been reintroduced by Spitalfields Market, which was set up in 1683.

Wellington Market Company, which manages the market, is inviting applications for the post.

“Although the attraction of the role may seem obvious at first, the 21st century version would incorporate many more responsibilities than the original,” the Telegraph quoted company boss Malcolm Ball, as saying.

He added: “Our ale taster would become an ambassador for food and drink in the area.”

According to Ball, the winning candidate would have to have a “sound knowledge of local, regional, national and international beers”, and that “he or she must be passionate about the subject”.

“It must be stated that although the role is voluntary, it obviously carries benefits,” he added. (ANI)

Crisps most dangerous food to eat while driving

London, April 7 (ANI): The humble packet of crisps is the most dangerous food to eat behind the wheel, according to a new study.

The study by i-kube, makers of a curfew device that cuts insurance premium for youngsters by measuring driving time, showed that millions of motorists have crashed while driving and eating.

During the survey, it was found that unwrapping chocolate bars and trying to open fizzy drinks bottles caused one in 10 to crash or come close to it.

Clearing up mess or litter and spilling food or drink on oneself is also a major cause of accidents.

Despite the danger, six out of 10 people regularly eat and drink behind the wheel, the study found.

“Despite the danger, millions of drivers still eat or drink when driving. No matter how hard you try, it takes some of your concentration off the road,” the Daily Express quoted an i-kube spokesman as saying. (ANI)

Beer festival closes before time as customers drink the bar dry

London, July 6 (ANI): A beer festival, called the Beer on the Wye festival, in Herefordshire had to close before time, because customers drank the bar dry.

The festival, which was to run until July 5, had to close after running out of beer, cider and perry on Saturday.

According to Mark Haslam, the festival organiser, said that around 3,800 people had turned up for the festival, which was 30 per cent more than last year.

“They started coming in and just didn’t stop coming. We were confident we had enough but we had a contingency plan to get more beer,” the Telegraph quoted Haslam as saying.

He added: “But on Saturday afternoon I was ringing for another 200 gallons. At 11pm we had six gallons left, no cider, no foreign beer. It’s amazing.”

The Herefordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale had to hold its family day in Hereford on Sunday, but the organisers had to cancel the festival at the last minute.

“There were a number of young people here, there’s very much a trend for drinking real beer. I think it’s a spin-off from people wanting to know the provenance of food and drink,” said Haslam. (ANI)