Barrels of Fun at Firkfest 2015 #firkfest15

Five hundred enthusiastic real ale drinkers frolicked at the sold-out Firkfest this past Saturday. Founded by Gregory Nagel, Firkfest is Orange County’s premiere cask-conditioned ale festival.

An enthusiastic crowd lines up early for entry at the sold out Firkfest 2015.

What is cask ale?

Cask-conditioned beer is a natural, living product. At the end of the production process the beer is not filtered, pasteurized or artificially carbonated. It’s placed into casks (called firkins), often with extra hops for aroma. Here the beer enjoys a secondary fermentation in cask with the potential for nuanced, complex aromas and flavors that are presented gentler on the palate due to the natural fermentation.

Every small aspect of conditioning, handling, and aging can alter the profile of a cask ale, so each cask can exhibit subtle differences.

Over 50 casks of beer from 30+ of SoCal’s best breweries were tapped in Anaheim’s Farmers Park. FirkFest also featured a chili festival contest.

The Globe served up my favorite chili - comprised of lamb and some delicious spices. — The Globe (www.theglobeoc.com) served up my favorite chili – comprised of lamb and some delicious spices.

The weather was perfect and the park offered ample opportunities for people to relax and enjoy cask-conditioned ales.

Firkin fun was the day's theme. — Firkin fun was the day’s theme.

Firkfest 2015 featured both classic and more modern, specialty real ale styles. Cask ales from the UK are typically more traditional and include elegant golden ales, pale ales, bitters, mild ales, and old/dark ales. MacLeod Brewing, which specializes in producing only cask-conditioned ales, offered six outstanding traditional style cask ales, including an American Brown ale called Yankee Mick that was dry-hopped with Cascade and Chinook. Many brewers in the US include different ale styles or include special ingredients in their casks, such as spices, fruits, chocolates, and wood, to create a modern flair. For example, Beach City Brewing offered a Mojito Saison that included pineapple, lime zest, and mint. The combination was refreshing and delicious!

Step right up to get your Mojito Saison!

Pizza Port SC and Artifex Brewing did excellent jobs of representing my hometown of San Clemente. Pizza Port SC offered a robust porter with Mexican chocolate called Sexy Mexi. Artifex Brewing offered a flavorful double IPA with Simcoe hops called See Ya Later DIPA.

Pizza Port SC offered a robust porter with Mexican chocolate called Sexy Mexi. — Beer please!

Overall, Firkfest 2015 provided a wide selection of cask conditioned ales with sophistication, artistry, and delicious flavors from breweries throughout Southern California. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!