The Old Toad was the first pub in the United States to offer British style real beer, or ale, as it is more commonly known. Now this style is much more widely available throughout the nation, but is still widely misunderstood. We offer an ever changing selection from a range of local and international brewers. It is always fresh and interesting.

Real ale is beer brewed from natural ingredients and continues to brew, i.e. ferment, in the cask. It continues to ferment until it is poured into a glass. This secondary fermentation gives the beer more conditioning and a firmer flavour.

It is served by means of a hand-pulled pump; it is not forced from a keg by gas pressure. As no extraneous gas is involved, the beer has a more gentle natural effervescence. This makes it smoother and easier to drink.

The best flavour is obtained at fermentation temperature which is 55º. This is cool, not cold and certainly not warm. After all, cold ale numbs the taste buds and does not allow the true flavour to be appreciated.

The British certainly do not drink their beer warm!

Check out our list of real ales on our beer menu.