What is 'real ale'?

What is 'real ale'?

Jeff Evans (Freelance beer Writer) gives expert video advice on: What is 'beer'?; What is 'real ale'?; What is 'keg beer'? and more...

Real ale is beer that's served the traditional way and brewed the traditional way. It's also known as "cask-conditioned ale". That means that it contains yeast, so when it goes to the cask it'll still be fermenting and maturing all the time. When it's served, it comes up fresh and complex.