Cask or Real Ale

[wildturkey8]

Will it ever become more available in the USA? I've had it in England and at Jack o the Wood Pub in Asheville NC. It is simply sublime.

 

[Tomasso]

I think that it may become a bit more available with the proliferation of beer bars in the US. That said, I doubt that it will ever catch on to any great extent as most American beer drinkers that I've introduced it to have described it as flat and warm; the antithesis of American beer.

 

[dhermann1]

I had some Wells Bombardier today in Brooklyn. Holy schmoley, what wonderful stuff. This web site says it's the real deal. Deeeelishus.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/664/1826

 

[Dan'l]

The local microbrewery makes cask conditioned ale and it's wonderful for those of us who enjoy that style. Cold and fizzy is what America is used to in beer but that's far from the available range of ales.

 

[scottyrocks]

I was introduced to true draft beer in England many years ago. I become particularly fond of Boddington Bitter. I was drawn a pint, and although I was skeptical, based on what I'd always heard about British beer, upon tasting it I was thoroughly taken in with its cool smoothness. It wasn't warm, but cool, as the casks were stored under the cool ground beneath the pub.

When I got back to America, I knew I'd never find that type of genuine draft, but I did find Boddington Draught Ale in cans. Each can has a widget in it that breaks open and carbonates the beer when you pull the tab. I don't know that it was the same as the genuine article I drank in Manchester, but still, it was very very good.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I think it must be a regional thing. Here in San Francisco, probably owning to the large Irish expat population, it's not uncommon for bars to serve at least one cask ale.

Depending on the neighborhood, many liquors stores stock sizable selections of unfiltered Russian beers as well (there's a large Russian and Ukrainian community in SF too).

 

[MissMittens]

I was introduced to true draft beer in England many years ago. I become particularly fond of Boddington Bitter. I was drawn a pint, and although I was skeptical, based on what I'd always heard about British beer, upon tasting it I was thoroughly taken in with its cool smoothness. It wasn't warm, but cool, as the casks were stored under the cool ground beneath the pub.

When I got back to America, I knew I'd never find that type of genuine draft, but I did find Boddington Draught Ale in cans. Each can has a widget in it that breaks open and carbonates the beer when you pull the tab. I don't know that it was the same as the genuine article I drank in Manchester, but still, it was very very good.

Get some Boddies down ya, lol!!

Another good one is Spitfire Ale from Shepherd Neame

 

[AdrianLvsRocky]

My husband and I are huge real ale fans and members of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and regularly attend ale festivals.

We're lucky to have many good breweries here in the UK although it's very hard to find local pubs that serve anything but lager.

We recently took a trip to Las Vegas for a friend's wedding and I was pleasantly suprised by the real ale, or craft ale as you call it, that was available.

We went to a bar (The Yardhouse in Town Square) that claimed to havethe world's largest selection of real ale. We whiled away a few hours there I can tell you!

A particular favourites I recall was the Rogue Hazelnut Brown. I love a nice roasted stout or porter.

With regards to British Ales, I have to recommend a Brains Dark (being Welsh I'm a little biased), and Marston's Oyster Stout.

 

[MissMittens]

My husband and I are huge real ale fans and members of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and regularly attend ale festivals.

We're lucky to have many good breweries here in the UK although it's very hard to find local pubs that serve anything but lager.

We recently took a trip to Las Vegas for a friend's wedding and I was pleasantly suprised by the real ale, or craft ale as you call it, that was available.

We went to a bar (The Yardhouse in Town Square) that claimed to havethe world's largest selection of real ale. We whiled away a few hours there I can tell you!

A particular favourites I recall was the Rogue Hazelnut Brown. I love a nice roasted stout or porter.

With regards to British Ales, I have to recommend a Brains Dark (being Welsh I'm a little biased), and Marston's Oyster Stout.

Ok, how about Brenin or Tomos Watkin? Nadoleg llawen a fflwyddin newydd dda i chi

 

[AdrianLvsRocky]

Diolch yn fawr roadierfl!

I am a fan of Tomos Watkins. We're lucky to have a few good breweries fairly near to us.

 

[mflemming]

If you are in the Chicago area, you shouldn't miss this event, held every year in early November.

http://www.illinoisbeer.com/

 

[Tomasso]

There used to be a real ale fest in Chicago where the exhibitors were almost entirely from the UK. It lasted only a few years. Miami Beach had one as well; again, short lived.

 

[MissMittens]

Diolch yn fawr roadierfl!

I am a fan of Tomos Watkins. We're lucky to have a few good breweries fairly near to us.

South Wales or West Wales? Buckleys used to make a good pint, too.

 

[esteban68]

Swimming in the stuff over here, we have so much real ale you are spoilt for choice, it should be cool/cold but not ice cold unlike lager beer which is best very cold, it's something to do with flavours being released at certain temeratures a bit like red wine I believe.
As for flat well it certsainly doesn't fizz or gas you up, Stouts and IPA's are also very good.

 

[dnjan]

I posted this in the Great Beer Thread:

I found cask beer heaven!

Piper's Pub www.piperspub.com (in Pittsburgh's Southside)
Always has at least one cask-conditioned beer available, and can have up to four on pumps.
The owner put in a "firkin room", and has been able to convince a number of breweries to sell them "fresh" beer (not conditioned).
So they do the conditioning themselves at the pub!

Last Friday afternoon I had Duck Rabbit Paul's Holiday Bitter as well as Troeg's Pale Ale.
The Troeg's wasn't bad, but I preferred the Duck Rabbit.

 

[ButteMT61]

All I know is that making a trip to the UK, I'm ruined over here. The beers were fantastic, as were the pubs and the people. I've never enjoyed beer so much (well, I did in my 20's) and it was cheap! I also enjoyed having my son with me who became legal by crossing the borders lol
In York and New Castle and Durham, we savored all the local brews we could, and got the stories on the beers/breweries from well-versed bartenders.
I loved "Titanic Wreckage" and "Double MM", amongst many. Thank goodness they list the alcohol % in the open because some of these are extremely potent!

 

[AdrianLvsRocky]

South Wales or West Wales? Buckleys used to make a good pint, too.

I'm from the South. Home of Brains.

 

[Tomasso]

All I know is that making a trip to the UK, I'm ruined over here.

Ruined? America offers a mind numbing selection of brews.

 

[DJH]

I had the good fortune to be able to stop at the Brunswick Inn in Derby on my way home for a year or so - the Brunswick is a former CAMRA Pub of the Year and always used to have a great selection of proper beer. They had all the classics, Tim Taylor's, Titanic Wreckage, Old Hookey, etc and it was a great local pub.

I've lived in the US for about 20 years now and while there are indeed some good local beers, I find it to still be very hit or miss as to whether you'll find a good pint.

Here in New England there are some decent small brewery's, but most happily confuse draught beer with keg beer. (or draft beer as they insist on calling it)

 

[MikePotts]

Get some Boddies down ya, lol!!

Another good one is Spitfire Ale from Shepherd Neame

Spitfire Ale has some GREAT ads. of which I like this the best, there are many more:

MP