Last month, pub operator and brewer Greene King released its 15-strong seasonal cask calendar for 2025, including a mix of “new collaborations, guest favourites and seasonally themed ales”, available in limited runs throughout the year.
Following on from the previous 2024 calendar, Fireside, the 4.5% ruby winter ale, and Abbot Reserve, the 6.5% premium ale, were the first to be released in January.
Scrumdown, a 4.1% fragrant sports-inspired golden ale, has also been bought back for this year’s calendar and will be available for pubs to stock throughout February and March.
Also available for the next two months and making its debut in the Greene King calendar is Wolfpack Alpha Stout, a collaborative brew made in partnership with Wolfpack brewery, founded by international rugby players, Al Hargreaves and Chris Wyles.
The 4.2% stout has been described as “dark and rich” with “robust barley and a bold kick of coffee and chocolate malt”.
Sharing knowledge
Not only does Wolfpack Alpha Stout represent the “perfect beer” to have on the bar during the Six Nations, according to Greene King, it also demonstrates the power and importance of collaboration within the brewing sector.
Greene King head brewer Jack Palmer told The MA: “Collaborating with other brewers allows us to share knowledge and creativity which always leads to an exciting brew.
“It’s really beneficial to both brewers in the on-trade as we can support local brewers to build awareness nationally and in turn, we get to reach drinkers in areas of the country where there is strong support for the local brewer.”
Another favourite set to make a return for 2025 includes Greene King’s festive ale Rocking Rudolph. Each seasonal cask beer in the calendar, excluding Rocking Rudolph, will also be available in pins (36-pint units).
Palmer continued: “It’s a great option to having a rotational cask on the bar as it allows pubs to match the style of cask ale to the season and also offer guests something new to try in the category.
“It is also important to remember rotational beers are there to support permanent and favourite cask brands and we advise that if you have a seasonal cask you should look to rotate it no earlier than every two to four weeks.”
Moreover, while the cask category saw an overall decline last year, Greene King said its seasonal cask calendar continued to grow both in stockists and volume.
Innovation and experimentation
The figures showed “innovation and experimentation” were key to driving more pubs to serve cask and recruit more drinkers to try it, the pub operator and brewer asserted.
When it comes to cask ale trends for 2025, Palmer predicted golden ales would grow in popularity, particularly in the north of the country.
He continued: “We can see there is a greater propensity to golden ales in the northern half of the country with 35% share of volume falling into golden ales, while in southern regions it is closer to 20%.
“We can also see a north/south divide in the strength of ales drunk with 70% of cask ale volume drunk in the north being below 4.2%, while in the south it is 50% of volume, [according to the CGA data from November last year].”
Palmer added Greene King’s 2025 Fresh Cask Releases calendar was the “best yet”.
He said: “Cask ale offers so many styles and flavours and our calendar of cask beers is a brilliant way to ensure that pubs have the right style for the season but also something new and exciting for guests to try on rotation.”
Pub looking to stock the seasonal calendar should contact Greene King directly.
