SOME might say Tim Hampson has had a dream job earning money to write about drinking beer for the past 30 years.

But now it has got even better for the North Hinksey resident after an ancient society of Belgian brewers decided to make him a knight.

Not only does Mr Hampson have a lifelong invitation to the annual meeting of Knights of the Brewers’ Mash in the The Brewers’ House in Brussels, he also gets the opportunity to have an exclusive beer tasting at the Grand Place in the Belgian capital.

The 64-year-old freelance beer writer said he was delighted to receive the honour earlier this month.

He said: “I did not expect it at all.

“I came along to the opening of the Brussels Beer Challenge and I had absolutely no prior idea.

“I have been writing about beer for about 30 years and I was given the award, in recognition of my writing, by seven brewers in medieval-style costumes. I am thrilled about it.”

The title of Knight of the Brewers’ Mash is awarded by the Belgian Brewers’ Guild, which is the modern incarnation of the centuries-old Guild of Brewers.

New knights are tapped on their shoulders not with a sword, as in traditional knighthood ceremonies, but with a mash staff, a two-metre-long wooden paddle used to stir barley malt as it is mixed with hot water prior to the beer being fermented.

Mr Hampson, who has two grown-up children, said: “As I understand it, I am allowed to go to the Brewers’ House in Brussels, which is the home of the Belgium Brewers’ Association. They have an annual gathering with all of the knights which is a great celebration . They gave out four awards when I was there, so they are quite rare.”

The knighthoods also play an important part in recognising Belgium’s brewing heritage and the work people like Mr Hampson do to promote the country’s beers.