BRAF takes place this week with General & VIP admission options + camping. Presumably, there will be a few conundrums to go against -
For the Love of CASC: Jimmy at NERAX, Boston | Heritage Radio Network Jimmy discusses cask with representatives & affiliates, of NERAX, which touches on the new importer/delayed start + The mechanics behind preserving natural/real ale & bringing it to the public UK vs. US mindset on cask ale: traditionalism vs experimentation Finding a new importer, as the original went out of business during COVID: they were the carrier for the whole Northeast Shipment delay due to the new importer not mentioning the (week-long) stop in Antwerp, Belgium They had occasionally flown them over, when a potential delay was made known. This was undesirable (e.g. $$$) Testing & basing the casks on session suitability UK Brewers applying US tactics (e.g. hops) US Brewers applying UK tactics (e.g. yeast, grains) No real interest in judging due to the variations per hour/day on live ale: prefer to not incentivize, or state what to go after Granted, this is done oversees (e.g. GBBF) Suggestions to stateside pubs on cellaring, breaching, venting, settling post initial pour…handling/training Cask Ale vs. a Franconia Stichfaß Brief discussion on the unobtainable ales: Timothy Taylor Climate in the Northeast: Hosting NERAX Etc.… --- Key Note(s): “COVID is over, NERAX is back”
“Customers are drinking a wider variety of beer types than ever before, which is hugely beneficial for cask” How can anyone be this stupid? Cask quality is best with a rapid turnover, which means many people all drinking the same beer.
(-Cask) I suppose this ties into the linked post per… Old Speckled Hen brewer focuses on fizzy craft beer as real ale demand goes flat (telegraph.co.uk) --- CAMRA is apparently unaware at the moment; nonetheless, Nick Mackenzie indicated that “Greene King would continue to brew its traditional ales”….for the time being
My understanding of that quote (and I have seen this in action at our place), is that more people are stepping outside the standard "I'll have the IPA. (or the light lager.. depending on the venue)" and trying beers that would be uncommon for them.. like trying the cask ale. More people drinking it, more turnover, better quality. If only a few patrons a day are trying the cask, the better chance of people getting a bad pint, and perpetuating the belief that cask is flat and stale.
I see it a different way from my experience in the US. The breweries that have been successful are actually selling it all in a few days (one brewery I went to sold their Mild in a few hours on a Friday). If you're putting on a cask or two of a different beer/style every few days, that caters to the US craft beer culture of, "What can you give me next?"
Couple updates - Pins dropped off the other day with tappings to likely occur next week: JWF could be this weekend if FH kicks. The Shakespeare curently has Standard Deviation on, which should (hopefully) rotate out soon...this seems to be all over the place (e.g. Spuyten Duyvil) This is now part of the setup
Great news on both points. Thanks for this thread - this latest wave of cask is imho the most interesting side of the American beer scene (along with correctly served Czech lagers).
Spoke with James about a direct – wood – dispense: Lambic Vat, which is a possibility. However, this would have to come correct/legit…briefly touched on Raf Meert’s critical approach to lambic + the history + the direction…Irrespective, this is a spontaneous real ale served still - The Referend Pennsylvania, USA 1xGravity Dispensed Cask Cask Tapped: 14 Days Ago Visit: May 12, 2023 3xBeer Engines (Angram) 1xActive Cask Tapped: 14 Days Ago Visit: May 12, 2023 Spontaneous Ale: OED - Strata via Gravity ABV: 6% Immersed: No Gueuze Pint: 2 Visuals: 3 Spontaneous Ale: Dooryard Bloom’d via Piston ABV: 6% Aspirator: No Sparkler: Yes Immersed: No Gueuze Pint: 1 Visuals: 3 --- Sidenote: Cask-conditioned (English) ales have an occasional appearance via guest offering/s (e.g. Bonn): this is comes without a breather --- Entryway: Gravity: Piston --- --- Auxiliary: James will be serving cask (still) ale at Succession Fermentory’s ‘Mini Cask Fest’ tomorrow via BierHaul
For anyone else wondering about where Thorton, PA is - I had to look it up - it's in Delaware County. West of the Blue Route, off Route 1
both places are very interesting to me. https://www.successionfermentory.com/ https://www.thereferend.com/home2 At least these are what I found.
Greene King investment through Old Speckled Hen Campaign to break down misconceptions surrounding traditional ale (morningadvertiser.co.uk) Perhaps taking notes off the lager category... ...as GK focuses in on OSH per the commitment to traditional ale - --- This also entails kegs
I can confirm it’s outstanding. Got a sneak peak last week. Their TCB (English Bitter) is also awesome.
