1
Cask is live and gently carbonated
Conditioning continues in the cask and the beer is usually served with softer natural carbonation.
← Beer & Cider
Beer comparison · Dispense
Cask vs keg: different systems, not a quality scoreboard.
Cask and keg change how beer is conditioned, carbonated and served. Neither system guarantees quality by itself; the useful comparison is what each one does to texture, freshness, temperature and style.
2
Keg is sealed and pressurised
Gas pressure pushes beer to the tap and allows a wider range of carbonation levels and serving temperatures.
3
Style and dispense are separate choices
IPA, stout, lager and pale ale can all appear in more than one dispense format.
What is the biggest technical difference?
Cask-conditioned beer finishes part of its maturation in the dispense container. Keg beer is typically conditioned earlier, then served from a sealed container using gas pressure.
Why does cask feel softer?
Lower carbonation changes mouthfeel and how aroma and bitterness land. Keg can feel crisper or more sparkling, especially when colder and more highly carbonated.
Which stays stable for longer?
A sealed keg is generally easier to protect from oxygen during service. Traditional cask service allows air into the cask as beer is drawn, so turnover and cellar management matter more.
Which tastes better?
That depends on the beer, the condition and the drinker. A superb cask bitter and a superb keg lager are solving different problems; comparing them as if one dispense method must win misses the point.
Keep exploring
Put it to work
If this page has done its job, the next glass should make a little more sense.