🪶 Cask vs Keg: What’s the Real Difference?
If you’ve ever stood at a bar wondering why one pint comes from a handpull and another from a tap with a hiss of gas — you’re not alone.
So what’s the difference between cask and keg beer, and why do some drinkers swear by one or the other?
🍺 Cask Ale — the traditionalist’s choice
Cask beer is living beer.
It finishes fermenting in the cask itself, meaning it’s naturally carbonated and served without added gas. The flavour changes subtly from day to day — one reason why cellarmanship matters so much.
It’s also served slightly warmer (around 11–13°C), letting malt and hop character shine.
Think of it like proper cheese vs the shrink-wrapped stuff.
⚡ Keg Beer — the modern workhorse
Keg beers are filtered, pasteurised, and sealed in pressurised kegs. Gas (CO₂ or nitrogen) pushes it to the tap and keeps it consistent for weeks.
You’ll find everything from crisp lagers to thick, creamy stouts on keg lines today — and modern craft breweries use the format brilliantly.
⚖️ The verdict
Neither’s “better.” Cask rewards skill, patience, and a well-kept cellar.
Keg delivers stability, sparkle, and more experimental options.
The trick? Drink both — but know which is which.
At the Old Cross Tavern, you’ll always find eight cask lines pouring the best of British ale — alongside rotating kegs that bring in European and craft favourites.
🍺 Curious which side of the bar you’re on? Pop in and taste both — eight cask lines and a few cracking kegs waiting for you at the Old Cross Tavern.