Yearning for More British Ales

I’ve experimented with cask breathers. I stand by my statement that they result in different flavor development. Im not saying that use of a breather matches the scope and impact of macrobrewers’ techniques, but simply that the goal is fundamentally the same. Economy first.
Definitely agree that breather or no, a skilled cellarman is the lifeblood of a good cask program.

These beers, in my, and many others’ opinions, don't benefit from the cask treatment. We don’t serve them as real ale and we don’t advertise them as such. They are American ales served in the American ale tradition.

You are the last person I want to bicker with because yours is the establishment that will bring drinkers to love real ale. But ultimately, your quarrel is with CAMRA, not me. Why don’t they recognize cask breathers? Personally, in my time brewing, I learned long ago that science, at least for now, doesn’t answer all the questions. Sure, forced co2 and natural refermentation should result in the same end product, but the results just don’t reflect that. There is a lot going on the micro scale that just can’t be quantified right now. This isn’t limited to casks btw.
Therefore, I refer to the experts - namely, the people who have maintained this tradition for hundreds of years, to indicate the details of their craft.

I understand the rationale, I just don’t understand how that challenges my position.

Some would say that use of a cask in general is based on a ‘commitment to a traditional ideal’. We have the technology that prevents nearly any oxidation, why not serve everything on co2 draft?

Ultimately, ours is an argument that has been hashed out many times before. My stance on it is that we are borrowing a tradition from the UK and we owe it to them to respect the tradition in the same way that they do.

 

Seems folk back east have more luck with recreating English style ales (and maybe their shipments are more fresh).

 

Talking about Fullers reminds me of their 1845. Don't care too much how old it is, have had it fresh and close to bb date 6 months in, really like the depth of flavor. Certainly worth revisiting from time to time

 

FWIW, one of the recommendations of CAMRA's Revitalisation Project, to be put to the AGM in April, is that CAMRA should officially adopt a neutral position on cask breathers.

 

This thread has turned out much better than I expected.

Johnny - what is this nirvana of which you speak? Embarrassingly I’ve never been to Chicago, but hope to change that this year and would love to swing by your brewery when that trip happens.

 

Fortnight Brewing in Cary, NC has English style ales as their focus. I think the owners are from England... or at least there's always a woman with a British accent working there. They have a lot of their beers on cask. I used to not be a fan of cask beers very much, but this place sort of changed my mind about them. Now I prefer them on cask when available. I'm glad a place like this is around because this style suits my tastes pretty well. I'd love to go to the UK and Ireland someday for a beer vacation!

 

During the late 80s and 90s there were a lot of 'Pugsley' systems installed in the NE, with the intent of producing English style ales. Some of these, like Geary's, even utilized open fermenters. So there's definitely a regional inclination to those styles, even though they aren't as easy to find any more.

 

Machine House in Seattle brews a lot of English style beers.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/31031/

 

Love that beer ! Wish I could still get it. Relatives currently in London for several months-requested a pallet of 1845

 

Next time we're in Chicago, I'll have to make sure to stop by and drink you out of that cask.

I'm in that boat, as well.

 

Don’t you mean off of that cask?

 

Yeah. Fantastic discussion, that.

Count me in.

 

Yeah, but expanding on that, when looking at Geary’s today, their demand went down so far that they came within an inch of bankruptcy and couldn’t afford to pay their employees. With new ownership, there’s no surprise that they are shifting some focus away from ringwood and on to modern American IPAs. For people in this thread hoping for a resurgence in UK styled ales, I’d say don’t hold your breath just yet.

 

Wonder if anyone's made an NEIPA with Ringwood? Sure it's out there, just too lazy to look.

 

All this talk of British Ales.
Almost gave a nod to the Bod, but my yen for the Hen was greater.

 

They have this on draught at my local. That did not rhyme, but I'm OK with that.

 

I periodically run across some that sure taste like it

 

It sure would be nice to have that Hampshire Special Ale again.

 

Saw it in Total Wine on Long Island today...

 

I truly do not know your technical understanding and practice, but your passion is palpable. Domestic cask ale is no less possible in America than in England! There are a few locals here that I'm certain will move in this direction...Bring it on.......