I really enjoy British cask ales. However, I don't like the consumption time frame with the remainder of a 5 gal batch at risk. Additionally, don't see it worth expense for a cask when I only use it once or twice a year for parties, when I'll get help consuming. So long story, are there any small volume cask out there? 5 liters or 10, assuming metric may be more common? If small volume cask are out there, I'd split batches, bottle and cask.
why not use one of the small SS kegs condition in the keg and open the spout to drink while allowing air in the top, or buy a breather and adapt to fit
Problem solved, this is going to be the ticket: http://www.ukbrewing.com/ #40030 Cask Breather Utilised to extend the life of cask ale by replacing the head space with CO2 at atmospheric pressure. Just attach in line from your CO2 regulator which should be set at about 5 psi. The cask breather can be used for multiple casks. NOTE: If dispensing a cask in the traditional way i.e. horizontally, you will require the cask breather spigot 11072. If using with the cask widge i.e. vertically. the spigot is not needed. NOTE2: If using a cask breather with gravity dispense, as the volume of beer diminishes so will the flow rate to the point that it will stop before the cask is empty. At this point we suggest connecting the CO2 directly to the breather spigot with the lowest pressure possible.
I have seen people on JBK who use the plastic beer -in-a-box containers hooked up to handpulls - because of course the bag collapses so no direct o2 comes into contact with the beer. These come in 3l, 5l, 10l and 20l sizes and I understand the best types to get are the double bagged ones. I've not used these though and shelf life is still a bit limited. So yeah, your best bet would be a casksbreather+keg conditioned beer
