Wikipedia
mergefrom Real ale brewing process of real ale]]Real ale is a type of beer defined by its Real ale brewing processtraditional production. Often known as "cask conditioned" beer; the fundamental distinction between real and other ales is that the yeast is still present in the container from which the beer is served, although it will have settled to the bottom and is usually not poured into the glass. Because the yeast is still alive, the process of fermentation continues in the cask or bottle on the way to the consumer. This secondary fermentation allows for the development of greater complexity in the taste, giving real ale its distinctive flavour. Another distinction, made especially in the United Kingdom, is that real ale should be served without the aid of added carbon dioxide, or ''top pressure'' as it is known. Common methods of dispense are the hand pump, or "by gravity", direct from the cask. Electric pumps are occasionally seen, especially in Scotland.The name was brought into widespread use in the United Kingdom through the work of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) to promote real ale, as opposed to the many keg beers that were being called ales in the UK during the 1970s.There are literally hundreds of breweries in the UK which produce real ale and the list is ever changing. There is a steady erosion of some of the older names through closure or merger, but to offset this there are many new breweries, especially microbrewerymicrobreweries, opening. There are so many breweries, many of which brew other products as well as real ale, that it would be discriminatory and misleading to mention any here. All currently operating breweries in the UK are listed in Camra's Good Beer Guide.
See also - Ale Keg beer - Mass produced beer which triggered the trend back to Real Ale. Microbrewery Keystone (cask)
External links - beermad.org.uk - Beer Mad - Good starting pointquaffale.org.uk - The Directory of UK Real Ale Breweries - Information on real ale brewers in the UKCAMRA's camra.org.uk - Good Beer Guideno:Real alesv:Real aleCategory:Types of beerCategory:British beer
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Websites
The UK Homebrew Shop-
Thebrewshop.com Trading in hombrew and winemaking since 1968. Huge stocks and fast free delivery
http://www.thebrewshop.com/
Whiskyroom
Links to all the major distilleries and breweries. We have information on real ale, wines and port as well as vegetarian and vegan information. For up to date news, reviews and help visit the forum and read other drinkers notes on whisky, beer, port and wine.
http://whiskyroom.co.uk/
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Consumer organisation which promotes the public house as a focus of community life, and a greater appreciation of traditional beers, ciders and perries.
http://www.camra.org.uk/
Real Ale Festival
Features a collection of cask- and bottle-conditioned beers from across America during this annual late February to early March event. Includes an overview of what is real ale, history of the festival, competitions, and contacts.
http://www.realalefestival.com/
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