Sidetrack Brewing Company celebrates its passion with Cask Fest

Before technology evolved, virtually all beer was produced in casks.

Today, cask beer is more of a novelty and is usually only found at a handful of establishments around the Duke City. It’s something of a passion at Sidetrack Brewing Company, which typically has one or two cask-conditioned beers available at any given time. The brewery’s casks are stored in a cellar and served through a “hand pump beer engine,” according to its website.

“It used to be more easy to find, and it’s sort of gone away,” says Sidetrack co-owner Dan Herr. “It’s not the most popular item on the menu.”

Cask Beer has a much shorter lifespan than traditional keg beer, but for some purists, it’s beer in its true form. Critics, meanwhile, will complain that it is too flat or too warm — but that can often be a result of the beer being mishandled or not properly casked.

“It’s the way beer used to be made before there was industrialized compressed gases and modern draft systems,” Herr said. “The way the beer would retain its carbonation would be to seal it up in the cask once it was finished. And the pub owner or (seller) would be responsible for determining when that beer is ready to serve, really taking care of it and treating it almost like a live product.

“A lot of that’s gone away with modern beer packaging, distribution and serving practices. So, it’s fun to experience that beer in more of its historical context and to maybe imagine what that used to be like … The natural carbonation process ends up having a kind of a softer mouthfeel, and I’d say it’s more of a round experience on your palate as compared to more of a conventionally carbonated beer. … The cask beers are a little bit softer, and they are less carbonated — but not flat.”

The old ways will take center stage on Saturday, March 29, when Sidetrack hosts Cask Fest from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature casks of beer from 13 other breweries — Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op, Boxing Bear Brewing Co., Canteen Brewhouse, Ex Novo Brewing Co., Flock of Moons Brewing Co., Gravity Bound Brewing Co., La Cumbre Brewing Co., Marble Brewery, Ponderosa Brewing Co., Second Street Brewery, Sidetrack Brewing Co., Steel Bender Brewyard and Tractor Brewing Co. The event is currently sold out, but any cask beer left after 4 p.m. will be for sale through the taproom.

“We just wanted to do an event that recognized the cask beer and celebrated it. So, it was a good way to reach out to the brewing community and also be able to give our patrons more variety than us,” Herr said.

“A lot of the brewers are definitely familiar with the process and how to make the cask beer. And they’re willing and anxious to participate because it’s just not something that happens very often.”

Those who purchased a ticket will receive samples from all 13 casks, a commemorative pint glass and a full pint of the attendee’s choice. A food truck will also be on site for the event, which is primarily held outdoors — with limited indoor seating available at Sidetrack. While Cask Fest has quickly grown in popularity, Herr believes it’s best to keep it at its current size rather than expand to a different location.

“It’s sort of a good crowd for our place because we have a small place,” he said. “Every year we’ve had it, we’ve had really good feedback in terms of just how the event feels and that we haven’t oversold it and made it too crowded. And, it’s just a good experience.”