Casks were out in force in the parking lot and interior of Yorkshire Square in Torrance for the 2019 edition of the Cask’s Not Dead Festival.
All of the royals were in attendance along with beer fans from as far away as Portland to taste Traditional and “Abnormal” cask beers. Just a touch over 30 casks were available and I tasted through a 1/3. Given a second day, I could have hit up some more.
Standouts included El Segundo’s collaboration with Yorkshire Square on Burton’s Pilgrimage an English styled IPA that I think is somewhat similar to this year’s Sierra Nevada Celebration. Thick on malt but with a big hop hit and a touch of spice note to it. Green Cheek Beer Co. brought in a Yorkshire Pale Ale take named Now Then, How Are We? which was delightful and filled with hoppy fruit aroma all in a 4% ABV body. Beachwood brought hops as well with a West Coast DIPA, By Hops Be Driven that was hugely floral and did not taste at all like 9%.
The only real downside to the occasion was that it was way too hot. How can a festival scheduled in November be over 90 degrees? But the crowds were happy, there were practically no lines except for the inside bar at times as people escaped the sun, and the beer was a lovely change of pace from the usual. If I were you, I would mark next November down for some cask ale.