Thanks! This is great information. I had no idea! We do see cask ale out here in the PNW, though I wouldn't call it prevalent. There are a couple of dedicated cask breweries (Machine House in Seattle and Porters in Bend being the two that come to mind), and a number of taphouses in pdx carry one or two cask beers most of the time. Quality tends to be up and done in my experience, but I had no idea what that might be attributable to. Your post gives me some possible insight into that.
I was lucky enough to have Wild East's cask dark mild, Temperance, at the taproom last November. It was on par with any I've tasted in the UK. I'd love to see more of this type of thing!
If anyone is in - or plans to be in - Portland, this is happening: 2025 Portland Cask Port! — BELMONT STATION
My understanding is that all of the beer served during this event will be shite. Even so, I'll probably participate.
I actually got my hands on another English beer from Good Word Brewing and got so distracted talking to some fellow patrons I forgot to take photos and post. They did a big collaboration and tap takeover at Barrique that included a gravity poured Czech Pale Lager that had some noticeable and interesting diacetyl character. Lots of low carb beer was drank that day, and was very interesting to hear people try "warm and flat" beer and really enjoy it. It was quite the hot day and it was great seeing people enjoy the smoother drinkability of cask and hand pulled, low abv pours.
Does my heart good to hear this. I went to law school at Memphis State and clerked for a couple of years in Memphis. This was back in 87/88. Anyway, one of my friends landed a job at one of the bigger firms there, and she was the organizer for some party at the office. She wanted my input for wine and beer. I recommended a keg of Samuel Adams lager for the beer, which I thought would be interesting, flavorful and not too adventuresome. One of the partners put the kybosh on that (they got a keg of coors light instead), thinking that no one would want to drink something that unusual and flavorful. Sigh... Anyway, sounds like Tennessee palates and tastes have come along way since then.
I had a chat with one of the bartenders there that for a very long time, into the 2010s, people in Nashville would only drink Yazoo Gerst (pretty basic amber ale) and macros. It's interesting to see how diverse the scene has gotten and how busy all of the taprooms have gotten. It's also great there especially since people will often talk and ask about what I'm drinking so I can plug cask or wild ale. The staff are all really knowledgeable and friendly so that helps. At least in the local vicinity of where I grew up, there's some cool places to get beer, but you'd have to drive to Philly to get a legitimate spread like in Nashville. Even in Pittsburgh where I've tried a lot of options, there's not as wide of a variety with quality to back it up. I love to plug my local breweries, since there's not too many, and a good number are doing interesting things. I think I've done the breakdown before, so I'll spare everyone the specifics, but it does feel very good.
Beer on the Wall in Elmhurst, IL has cask from Thursday evenings until it runs out (usually by Sunday). I had a wonderful Czech Amber lager in a dimpled mug last time I was there. I am glad to have this option!
Not sure as I usually am not out that day, but knowing the folks that work there, if it was off or bad they would remove it.
Annette May is about to finally open up her own brewery with Mike Bardallis in MI: Both have a history + know their way around [Proper] cask-conditioned ales. Annette is an Advanced Cicerone, BJCP judge, Educator, among other things… Needless to say, there will be an emphasis on ‘real ale’ here - ---
Very cool. Do you know what year the article is from? The Tap Room is still a great place to go, though they no longer serve cask beer. https://maproom.com/beer-list/
@ChicagoJ - Believe this was around 97’, as she started there in 96’-00’ ...The Beer Temple is a ‘Cask Marque’ location in Chicago, if that’s in your vicinity
