Firkin Friday at DuClaw

This Friday (October 3) will be another "Firkin Friday" at DuClaw's Arundel Mills location. I've never hit up a Firkin Friday -- anywhere -- so this is intriguing. Basically, at these events a brewery taps one or more available "cask" ales for the public.

Here's how they describe it:

A firkin is actually the name of an eleven-gallon keg that holds cask conditioned ale (real ale). There are three main differences between real ale and conventionally dispensed ale. First, real ale is served unfiltered, whereas the yeast in conventionally served ale has been filtered out to give it a "clear" appearance. Second, real ale is served at "cellar" temperature (50-55°F), unlike conventional ale which is served cooler. Finally, real ale is lightly carbonated so it almost appears "flat" compared to a conventional ale. There are approximately 85 pours for each firkin so don't miss out.

Simple stuff, and oh so good.

They'll put the firkins on at 5 p.m. and at just 85 pours will almost assuredly run out in rapid fashion so get there on time.

They'll have the following available:

Dry Hopped Hellrazer Ale (pale ale)
Alchemy Oatmeal Stout
Raspberry Misfit Red