In order to experience the beer as intended, we recommend letting it sit in place for a minimum of 48 hours before the event. By nature, Cask Ales need time to settle and condition before they are tapped. This ensures a crisp, clear beer with every pull.

This is the million dollar question and will be different for every party. From many years of experience we have come up with the following, very sweeping, rule of thumb – One pint per adult attending.

We know this sounds low, but it is based on experience and assumes a random mixed age, mixed sex group in which only one in 3 or 4 drink the real ale. We realise that all parties are different and some groups are thirstier than others (a beer festival would be much higher). Weddings, in particular, seem to drink less beer than many grooms expect (lots of food, wine, etc.).
Anyone is free to order as much beer as they want, of course, and we are happy to chat to people about their requirements. Some are keen to avoid waste while, for others, the idea of running out of beer is intolerable. We just thought this rough guide may be helpful.

Ideally the beer should be kept between 10 and 13 degrees celsius. Ice blankets and cooling jackets are available during the summer months if the beer is to be in direct heat from the sun.

You will need a sturdy table or worktop at a comfortable height if you don’t have a bar. The cask will need to go on the floor below the pump.