The Story behind our Seasonal Beer: Sheriff – ESB – 4.8% ABV

The Titsey Brewing Co. regularly honours the connections between the Gresham family and the office of Lord Mayor of the City of London with the Lord Mayor seasonal porter.  We are now delighted to add the Sheriff’s Ale in honour of one of Woldingham’s noted residents, Bronek Masojada, who honourably served as Sheriff of the City of London last year.

The role of Sheriff stretches back to Anglo-Saxon times in the 7^th Century.  There are traditionally two at a time and they were responsible for the collection of taxes for the royal exchequer, the enforcement of the law and the raising of armed forces to support the Monarch.  When an annually elected Mayor was introduced in 1189, the Sheriffs were relegated to a subordinate position. 

In modern times the role is largely ceremonial, but the Sheriffs are required to live in the Old Bailey so that one of them can always be attendant on the judges as well as promoting the importance of English rule of law to businesses, schools, diplomats and others.

Like our Head Brewer, Craig Vroom, Bronek Masojada was born in South Africa. He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and served for 21 years as Chief Executive of the insurance giant Hiscox as well as being Deputy Chairman of Lloyds of London.  The role of Sheriff is an essential stepping stone to becoming Lord Mayor of the City of London so we hope, in time, to celebrate yet another connection between Titsey and its surrounding area with that internationally renowned office.