Imagine my surprise when Owen Ogletree interrupted my explanation of our cask to a small audience in order to bestow upon me the Third Place Award for Classic Style Beer. The Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting is one stiff competition with more brewers in attendance than any two regular festivals combined. Our Russian Imperial Stout was in the beer garden at 5 Seasons Sandy Springs. There were 38 casks this year and although I didn't try them all, I was not disappointed with any of the one's on my go to list. It was great to see so many familiar faces and to meet a few new ones. If you haven’t had the pleasure, I can’t stress enough the importance of cask conditioning or the ACAT experience. If you are familiar with cask conditioning, imagine all your favorite brewers creating unique and fantastic ales collected together at a couple of your favorite beer centric establishments, well within walking distance from each other. All this for one afternoon of mind wobbling, seriously amazing craft beer heaven on earth, can I have a halleluiah amen!?! Needless to say, it felt great to get an Award at my favorite event in January and since it was O’Dempsey’s first award it will always be a fond memory for Gail and I. We are always impressed with Owen’s tireless pursuit of cask perfection. Thanks once again for a fantastic afternoon.
Randy Dempsey
