"Real" Ale

squeegeethree · August 10, 2019, 1:30pm

I’ve been watching Travels By Narrowboat on Amazon prime.
If your idea of good TV is listening to the thud thud of a diesel engine while looking at pastoral English landscapes and drinking ale… I highly recommend the show. Really makes me want to rent a Narrowboat for a vacation.
In the show Kevin Shelley stops every once and a while to enjoy a pint of “Real Ale”. Real Ale is a new term for me and I thought I’d share it (as well as Narrow Boats).

“England is known for its top fermented cask beer (also called real ale) which finishes maturing in the cellar of the pub rather than at the brewery and is served with only natural carbonation.”

Rburrelli · August 10, 2019, 7:18pm

Thanks. Have been reading about real ales and CAMRA IN Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher. It would likely be dead and gone except for them. I understand it is only drinkable for a few short days and the timing is critical as to when it is tapped at the pub.

jimrmaine · August 10, 2019, 8:36pm

And, of course, is served with a beer engine. A local ‘English style’ brewery and pub(Airline brewery) has several beers on cask, served with a beer engine. It’s an interesting experience.

dannyboy58 · August 11, 2019, 12:34am

I wanted to do this or a riverboat tour in germany for my birthday last year. My daughter and my wife said it looked like only old people did them…it was my 60th birthday so…anyway…still on my bucket list. Will definitely check out the show.

dannyboy58 · August 11, 2019, 1:20am

Real ale has come up in threads a couple of times since I’ve been active here. A few guys posted here about brewing them 3-4 years ago I think.

Man the first 8 minutes or so of episode 1 I wasn’t sure they guy was gonna make it. He seemed morosely depressed.

brew_cat · August 11, 2019, 1:30am

My sister did the river trip last year got a credit because not enough water for the boat ended up on bussed. Went again this year same thing. I don’t think they will try again. I guess maybe if you don’t go in the summer

dannyboy58 · August 11, 2019, 1:54am

where was that?

Grantmesteven · August 11, 2019, 4:31am

Watched the first couple of episodes and it looks like fun.

squeegeethree · August 11, 2019, 9:09am

Yeah You can skip that first episode

brew_cat · August 11, 2019, 11:12am

I think it was the viking line. Last year the Rhine this year the Elb. Make sure to go when the water is high

squeegeethree · August 11, 2019, 12:03pm

These Narrowboats are 6 feet 10 inches wide and up to 70 feet long

WMNoob · August 11, 2019, 12:42pm

Wnet to a place locally that had an IPA on cask served with a beer engine at room temp. Seemed kind of unusual so I had to try it. Very smooth and I think the warmer temp let all the flavors shine.

dannyboy58 · August 11, 2019, 1:36pm

Yea that’s the line and rivers I was looking at but we would’ve gone in April/May timeframe which I believe was their high season.

dannyboy58 · August 11, 2019, 1:37pm

I love the old school engine sound. Hope to see more of the interior of the boat than they’ve shown so far. Cool idea puttering along at 4mph letting the scenery roll past.

sneezles61 · August 11, 2019, 1:40pm

So, if you take your fermenting brew… Throw it in a keg about 4-6 points above your predicted finish… Leave it at room temp on its side… Roll it around when you walk past it, in about 2 weeks pull a pint and see if you like it… I’ve done many of these… It is a real ale
I equate it to drinking liquid velvet. Sneezles61

brew_cat · August 11, 2019, 8:07pm

I guess that’s why it’s the high season. Last year they went mid September this year they went mid August. Brutally hot as well. Spring is the time to go I’ll bet

denny · August 12, 2019, 3:54pm

I started watching that show, but I haven’t decided if I’ll continue. The guy is a bit self absorbed for me.

As to CAMRA, they’ve been around many yeasr. Although it may seem like a great thing, if you do some research you’ll find that many who were once supporters have turned against the organization in recent years because of their narrow focus.

sneezles61 · August 12, 2019, 8:36pm

Well then, if that brewing cousin keeps being scornful, best let it die a slow painful death…
Do you suppose “cask ale” American-ized could be a topic home brewers would start talking about? It could just be another creative branch… No flogging intended… Sneezles61

denny · August 12, 2019, 9:33pm

My homebrew club has a yearly cask ale fest. Everyone makes British styles. To serve, you lay the corny on its side and serve through the gas in. You put a breather on the dip tube.

dannyboy58 · August 13, 2019, 12:51am

There are always a few brewers or a group who do it the only correct way right? The CAMRA guys for real ale, the german brewer forum for lagers…maybe the message is don’t take yourself so seriously? Or in the immortal words of the shy and elusive Will Weaton…don’t be a d!@k.