In the chaos that has ensued following Britain's Craft Beer Revolution, it feels as though cask beer has often played a supporting role to the rise of exceptional, flavour forward keg beer. It mustn't be forgotten though, that here in the UK, cask beer is important, like, really important. Here in Britain we can use this particular dispense method to showcase great beer like nowhere else in the world.
Highgate's The Duke's Head is renowned for a great pint of cask beer, thanks to the efforts of Tom Harrison (General Manager), Lottie Judge (Bar Manager) and their hard-working team. This was acknowledged in late 2014 when they bagged North London CAMRA's autumn 'Pub of the Season' award. For the duration of London Beer City, The Duke's Head will be hosting Cask Is Important, a showcase of cask beers from breweries that are at the cutting edge of the Craft Beer Revolution. This will encompass pale ales, bursting with zesty hop aromas to rich, dark stouts and pretty much everything in between.
This week long celebration of incredible cask beer will be co-curated by Beer Writer and self-proclaimed Craft Beer Evangelist Matt Curtis, who will be hosting several tutored tasting sessions throughout the week, in his typical enthusiastic and interactive style. Tickets to these tastings will be limited and priced at just £10 per person per session. Each session will have a slightly different twist, to keep up with the frenetic pace that London Beer City will bestow on the London beer scene.
Each session will also see the tapping of some very special beers. Matt and the team at The Duke’s Head will be collaborating with two of London’s best new breweries, Hammerton Brewery and Weird Beard Brew Co, to bring visitors to the pub beers that are both exciting and exclusive during London Beer City. Bermondsey’s Brew By Numbers, who usually only keg their beer, will be providing a very special cask and Hackney’s The Five Points will be adding a twist to one of their core beers. This week will also see the return of the mighty Beavertown who will be showcasing their Smog Rocket smoked porter in cask. In addition to these exciting and special beers The Duke’s Head will be showcasing the very best in modern cask beer from Siren Craft Brew, Magic Rock, Cloudwater, The Bristol Beer Factory, Moor, Waen, Uley and more, with eight cask beers on constant rotation all week.
The tutored tastings and special tappings will run as follows. Tickets are priced at £10, per person, per session and are on sale via Ticketsource or over the bar at The Duke’s Head.
Weds 12th August - 7pm-9pm - Cask Club: Replacing Matt’s monthly Bottle Club, especially for London Beer City is Cask Club. Ticket holders will get a third of all eight beers on Cask, including those tapped especially for this event, while Matt provides an interactive tutored tasting. SOLD OUT.
Fri 14th August – 8 ‘til Late – Cask Party: Friday night will see Matt take to the microphone and deliver a tasting session with a difference. Ticket holders will get to try eight thirds, including beers brewed exclusively for Cask is Important and party away til the early hours. The pub will have a late licence and The Duke’s Head resident DJ’s will be spinning an eclectic mix of tunes from Tamla Motown to Ska to Indie Classics and more. Tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/178061
Sat 15th August – 12pm-2pm – Saturday Matinee and Brunch: On Saturday come unwind with a very hungover Duke’s Head Team. Get a house Bloody Mary made with locally distilled Sacred Vodka and Rib Man ‘Holy Fuck’ hot sauce, a light brunch and a mellow tutored tasting of four thirds of exceptional cask beer. Matt has promised he’ll even provide a tutored tasting of the Bloody Mary. Tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/178063
If you're sick of tired, tepid, festival pints, or simply curious to remind yourself just how great cask beer can taste, then come and get the best pint of cask beer in North London and remind yourself exactly why Cask is Important. Cask lovers can rest assured that all beer will be served without a sparkler, just as nature intended.