Cask ales to try at your local Greene King pub
Cask ales have been around since before records began – literally. Before the 19th century rolled around and lighter American beers began to spread across Britain, folks didn't fuss over fancy names for what they drank. It was all just “beer,” made the old-fashioned way, by fermenting it in barrels and ceramic pots. Fast forward to the early 20th century and the invention of the keg, and suddenly what we were all calling beer became “cask ale.”
So, what’s the difference? Beer produced in a keg is typically cold filtered, refrigerated, and force carbonated, whereas cask ales are kept at cellar temperature. Plus, they get their bubbles naturally, by adding yeast to the barrel.
But the cask is more than plain old tradition. The taste found in a perfectly temperate cask ale is something to behold. That’s around 12°C, if you’re interested. And what’s more, each brewery puts its own unique spin on flavours, turning a quest for the perfect pint into an adventure that could last a lifetime.
Greene King’s cask ales
At Greene King, we’ve spent over 200 years perfecting two captivating cask ales of our own, so we like to think we’ve learned a thing or two along the way.
Greene King IPA
As a pint the people trust, this cask ale has a history as rich as its flavour, dating back to 1799 at Greene King’s Westgate Brewery. Just like it did back in the day, it takes us four to five days to brew our signature IPA. Made from a selection of pale, crystal and black malts, along with a trio of Pilgrim, Challenger and First Gold hops, it's a match made in hop heaven.
There’s a reason our customers love this IPA. It’s got a flavour that’s clean, crisp and equally bitter as it is sweet, with an ABV of 3.4%.
Head down to your local Greene King pub to try it out!
Abbot Ale
Abbot Ale has been winning over the hearts and taste buds of the nation since we launched it in 1951. Brewed in Bury St Edmunds, this rich, full-bodied ale has a deep amber hue, delivering a perfect balance of malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness with each sip. And, in case you didn't know, it goes great with a whole host of English cheeses, as well as our signature Sunday roasts.
It’s crafted with pale and amber malts that give the ale a biscuity flavour, and Challenger and First Gold hops that infuse it with fragrance and floral notes. This killer combination comes in at 5% ABV, from both bottle and cask.
Find Abbot Ale at your local Greene King pub.
Other great beers
Though we understand why many say the cask is king, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t also have our favourite keg beers.
Ice Breaker
We weren't sure how to start a conversation about this beer, but we'll just go ahead and break the ice. A crisp and clean American-style pale ale that pairs perfectly with all your US food favourites, Ice Breaker is a great match for everything from classic cheeseburgers to BBQ ribs and saucy chicken wings.
Ice Breaker is made with a unique blend of Citra and Simcoe hops, carefully selected to deliver a burst of refreshment with every sip. With a moderate 4.5% alcohol content across the bottle, can and keg, this pale ale strikes the perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness. It's easy to drink, but packs enough flavour to keep you coming back for more.
So come and get introduced to your new favourite Greene King beers at your local Greene King.
The craft behind the cask
Let’s talk a little bit more about Westgate Brewery. Established in 1799, it's one of the oldest breweries in the UK. Here, our team of around 25 expert brewers work hard to ensure every step of the brewing process runs smoothly. Each brewer has their own role, from extracting liquor to bottling. We take quality seriously, with each batch undergoing rigorous tasting. If you're ever in Suffolk, stop by for a taste of our history on one of our brewery tours!