St Austell Brewery is gearing up to celebrate Cask Ale Week — organised by Cask Marque — which runs from September 20 to 30 this year.
The new drinker is conscious, aware, demanding and eager to learn about and try new beers, and thanks to years of effort from organisations like Cask Marque, CAMRA, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Independent Family of Brewers of Britain and the Brewers Alliance, the industry has seen an increased interest in ale, and the craft beer revolution has also contributed to this.
Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, Roger Ryman, said: “There’s never been more choice on the bar for beer lovers, but what remains most important is quality.
“Great cask beer is unsurpassable and an integral part of British pub culture. Cask Ale Week is a celebration of just that and we’re proud to be playing our part to help promote it.”
With a wonderfully diverse range of cask ales, from its flagship award-winners Tribute and Proper Job, to traditional favourites, as well as the limited edition Small Batch range of cask beers, the independent and family-owned brewery, which is one of Cornwall’s oldest businesses, is marking the week with some ale-themed special offers.
The Story of the Three Beers
This is a chance to sample three new — as well as old favourite — cask ales in taster glasses, served on a three-beer paddle.
Available at the brewery’s Visitor Centre Hicks Bar and participating managed houses for £3.60 for a set of three, customers can make their choice from the cask ales available on the bar and then do what beer sommeliers do.
Look at the colour and clarity of the beer, swirl the beer before sniffing to appreciate the aroma, then take a sip and roll it around the mouth to savour the flavour and distinct hop notes before drinking it for the secondary bitter flavours that are typical of ales.
Customers are being encouraged to taste each of the beers to discover and appreciate ales.
Try Before You Buy
Another Cask Ale Week offer from St Austell where beer lovers and customers are encouraged to ask bar staff at the Visitor Centre and participating managed pubs for a beer sample before buying a pint of cask ale.
This will give drinkers the chance to try something new and ask the bar staff for recommendations of beers to match their food or palate.
Small Batch Brews
In addition, two ales from St Austell Brewery’s Small Batch collection will be available in the Small Batch Club pubs and the Visitor Centre Hicks Bar: Hops & Heritage, a pale ale made with freshly-picked hops from Herefordshire, will be available from September 19; and Autumn Indie, a red IPA with passion fruit, citrus and berry notes, will be along from September 24.
• For more details about Small Batch beers and pubs that serve them, click www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/smallbatchbrews
