Served to Sip, not Sup Clever marketing, especially the spurious Irish angle, has helped sales since its introduction a couple of years ago. But the weather last summer was just the boost that nitrokeg was depending on, as purveyors of cold drinks raked in the dosh. Many pub cellars were apparently unable to keep cask beer in prime condition during the protracted hot weather. Most real ale drinkers subsequently reverted to their traditional tipple, unable to tolerate the gut-busting texture. For others, the dedicated followers of fashion, the fad passed.
Real ale is a natural living beer which continues to condition and develop flavour in the cask.
A well-kept pint of a good real ale is a highly rewarding taste experience. Nitrokeg may be consistent, but it is consistently boring. What the growth of nitrokeg does show is that real ale cannot rest on its laurels. People will divert if there is indifferent, poorly kept cask beer around. Those breweries and pubs which achieve excellence will be highlighted, those which achieve indifference or less will be castigated.