What the heck is a Firkin???
Every Friday is Firkin Friday at Otto’s. A firkin is a British-style cask of ale. The ale is conditioned in the cask, and gravity-poured for a “real ale ” taste experience that has no comparison. Prior to filtering our ales, we sanitize and prepare a cask to be filled. The unfiltered ale is added to the cask, along with additional nutrients for the live yeast. Typically, hops are added to the firkin to enhance aroma and flavor perception. This process is called “Dry Hopping”. After filling, the firkin is stored at room temperature for several days. This “conditions” the beer, allowing the yeast to naturally carbonate it. Following this conditioning period, the firkin is stored at cooler, cellar temperatures until we are ready to serve it. At 5:00 every Friday, a tap is hand-driven into the firkin with a mallet. A small hole is opened at the top, and the beer flows!!! Be sure to try this taste treat, real ale as it was meant to be.
