Greene King makes cask the star of summer at Pub in the Park

Greene King head brewer Jack Palmer met The Morning Advertiser​ associate features editor Gary Lloyd at the Greene King beer tent in Chiswick in late June to have a quick catch-up about the brewery and pub operator’s beer offer for music lovers.

Pub in the Park​, run by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, has taken place at Marlow, Chiswick and Reigate already but still has a three-day event to run in St Albans, Hertfordshire, from 6-8 September when top music acts Tinie Tempah, Olly Murs and Paloma Faith will be among the stars on stage.

Not a common sight​

Back in Chiswick, Palmer talked about the Greene King tap bar and the inclusion of cask ales, which is not a common sight at music festivals, and how refreshing they can be.

On the handpulls on the same day De La Soul were performing – plus a special guest appearance from Talib Kweli – were the popular Greene King IPA 3.6% ABV and the seasonal False Nine golden ale at 4% ABV while the Euros football tournament was in full swing.

Meanwhile, keg offers at the Greene King tent included Level Head 4%, Flint Eye 4.5%, Hazy Day 4.3%, Prior Life 3.4% and Estrella Galicia 0.0%.

Brings the pub to the festival​

Palmer added: “To have cask ale at a music festival is unique, you have to let it settle and being the sole beer supplier to Pub in the Park, it’s allowed us early access and we can get the casks in and let them settle then serve them.

“It brings the pub to the festival.”

The brewery puts out 13 seasonal cask options to the on-trade and tend to led by the seasons so customers can expect darker, richer brews in autumn and winter moving towards lighter options from the start of the Six Nations rugby matches in February and March through to the current release which is Belhaven Scorcher​ – said to be “full of citrus notes that offers a refreshing taste on warm summer days now that they have finally arrived”.