Where real ale is sold we show it but cannot guarantee its quality. The Great Divide Today beers roughly divide into real ales and keg beers. Both use water, malted barley and yeast and follow similar processes in the early stages of brewing, until the primary fermentation has finished. It is at this stage the two diverge. Keg Beers Keg beers are killed.
All biological activity is halted by filtering and pasteurising.
This results in a clear, sterile beer which is predictable and controlled. It is packed into pressurised kegs and is ready for delivery. The advantage of keg beer is that it is consistent and reliable, has a longer storage life and is cheaper to produce. It does not require delicate handling or expertise in the pub cellar, apart from basic hygiene. The overriding disadvantage is the taste.