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Cask, Pimlico, SW1
SW1
SW1V 2EE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Cask
The Cask has deservedly become a destination pub since it re-opened in 2009, and it continues to go from strength to strength. Always has a good selection of real ales in different styles, with seven of ten handpumps in use on this revisit (although the other three had also been on earlier looking at the daily list): a couple each from Fyne Ales [Hurricane Jack and and Highlander (£5.40)], Kirkstall [Dissolution IPA and Black Band)] and Thornbridge [Pica Pica and Jaipur] in addition to the Ordinary Bitter from Anspach & Hobday. on my latest visit). Also has numerous craft beers on tap, with a large range of interesting bottled offerings in the fridges behind the bar. Light modern decor, good atmosphere and generally a very pleasant place to have a drink - so unlike its previous incarnation as the Pimlico Tram. Well worth seeking out.
On 10th July 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Cask
A modern beer exhibition pub, amply described in previous reviews. There are some 20 assorted handpump and keg taps, along with one of the most varied selection of bottles in town. On draught on this visit were Thornbridge Market Porter, Marble Mild, Siren Broken Dream, Redwood Mad Squirrel and Resolution Cosmic - particularly pleasing to have 3 dark beers available. As mentioned, the prices go up to ludicrous for the more esoteric brews, but the cask was mainly £5.40 a pint which is not out of kilter with what other pubs in the area charge for much inferior beer.
On 6th April 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Cask
I remember coming here when it was the Pimlico Tram. I returned shortly after it opened as the Cask, possibly in 2009 and found this to be a groundbreaking venture at the time.
As time passed, my tastes veered more towards real ale, for which there were many better pubs around London. Prices for the craft beer here far exceeded what I was willing to pay. I'm sure I've been back since 2009, but possibly only once.
Fast forward to a Friday evening in March 2022 and my tastes have ventured slightly more into the craft beer market and being in town for a show nearby, the Cask seemed like the best place locally for a few drinks. However, my taste in beer and cider is not the only thing that has changed since 2009. This time, I had my 9-year-old son with me and I noticed that the CAMRA website stated that children are only allowed until 5pm.
Arriving just before 5pm, I did enquire about children and was met with a quizzical look from the barman. There didn't seem to be any limit in reality. As such, with a burger and a few lemonades, I doubt very much that anybody noticed his presence in the corner!
We arrived to find a fairly quiet bar. It's much more modern looking than in its Pimlico Tram days. The single barman was very knowledgeable and helpful with my beer selection. He was also pro-actively warning customers of any high prices for each of the beers, which was much appreciated, as whilst I don't mind trying some of the latest craft beers, prices can still be quite a shock.
6 cask ales were available. It appeared that they must have had some kind of Fyne Ales takeover at some point. 3 of their ales were on - Highlander, I Am A Mountain & I Am The Sea were all on, with a 4th clip (possibly Avalanche) turned round. Other cask ales were Acorn Barnsley Bitter & Old Moor Porter & Salopian Mellon Dream.
The craft beer range still dominates here. If you can't find something unusual you haven't tried on draft, you're sure to find something in bottles in the fridges. On the pumps were Westbrook Mexican Cake (which went off before I could try it), Barrier Money, Mure Rullquin, Overtone Emerald Shore, Brick Redcurrant & Blackberry Sour, Burning Sky West Coast Blues, Orbit Dead Wax, Yonder Upside Down, Mondo Dennis Hopp'r, Old Street Infinite Bliss & Rothaus Wheat Beer. The fizzy cider was Lilley's Star Gazer.
With 3 rounds and 3 burgers, I'd soon spent £100. But I quite enjoyed the different beers I had, some of which were in double percentages, and the burger was actually reasonable value by London standards.
Whilst we were there, the pub began to fill up dramatically. By the time we were ready to leave, all tables were taken and it was standing room only. Extra staff had appeared to help the original barman, keeping up their efficiency of service. At the same time, the atmosphere grew, making the evening a very pleasurable experience.
All in all, it proved to be a good way of preparing me for the prospect of a musical at the nearby Apollo Theatre. I doubt I'll leave it so long before paying a return visit next time.
On 16th March 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Cask
Yeaaaahhh. The reviews below say it all. However, myself and three friends paid a visit here a couple of days ago and due to lack of space, had to sit outside on the pavement which is becoming increasingly more chilly. Service has been slowed somewhat in pubs due to the current crisis, but a 20-minute wait to get served is pushing things a bit too far.
Cask stocks 10 cask ales, which were pretty much all sampled by the four of us. As expected, the condition was great. I stuck to the Fyne Ales' Pebble Beach (£5.20 a pint) which was ok but is brewed with a type of hop that gives a slightly artificial Parma Violet taste, which my friend likened to bubble gum. His pint - name forgotten - tasted like Hophead which had been watered down. A pint of porter ordered by another friend tasted like a porter, but I'd not have ordered a pint of the stuff as I don't really like it, not having had it since my last visit to the Orange Brewery pub down the road from here back in 1999. And the Smog City's Quercus Circus Sour tasted, well...sour, like a beer that has gone off.
The other issue I have with the place, though it hardly came as a surprise, is that it's not really what I call a *pub*, lacking typical features such as a log fire or thatched roof; it looks a bit like a departure lounge.
I appreciate that this business has been built up by someone with a passion for quality beer, but I really don't go for beers that are somewhat avant garde - I'd have killed for a pint of Marble's Manchester Bitter or Blue Bee's Hillfoot Best.
Nice chips though...
On 2nd October 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Cask
Somehow, I’ve missed to review this one in all the times I’ve been coming here so time to put that right.
The main salient points have all been covered by a multitude of reviewers below but outside of its always impressive real ale offerings the reasons I will continue to frequent it are
1) Its always a good atmosphere and is a reliable lively bolt hole this close to Pimlico tube. On an evening when the whether forecaster was predicting Snow Armageddon hitting London the pub was extremely lively when we arrived at 6.00PM and was still going strong when the last of us left some 3 and ½ hours later.
2) The service levels are extremely high. They were coping admirably with the after-work rush when we arrived and although our first round included the final pint of Marble Pint, the beer was put back on in time for our third round and the other four beers that went whilst we were there were also duly put back on during the evening despite the constant demand at the bar.
3) The quality is always good. On this particular evening eight of us had five rounds taking in most of the beers below 6.5% and we didn’t have a single duff pint between us. Cask is certainly not dead in this place.
4) As for Mr Fastard below the beer range does seem to get better with each visit. Alongside three offerings from Marble (Earl Grey IPA, Pint and the Porter) were EightArch Brewing easy life and Bobolink Coffee Oat Stout, Fyne Ales Vital Spark, Magic Rock Ringmaster and Park Brewery porter to name a few. Some might argue that’s a heavy presence of dark ales, but with temperature level plummeting and Snow Armageddon on its way , I was OK with that.
On 5th February 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Cask
ORIGINAL REVIEW Jan 2011
This was my first visit to this well reviewed pub and I enjoyed the experience.The central pillars break the interior in two,with a large seating lounge well lit by the large windows,while the bar on the other side of the pillars is in the narrowest part of the pub.Overall the interior is a lot larger than appears possible when the pub is viewed from the exterior,which was a good job as this was a busy pre Christmas evening.The musak had been cranked up to quite loud,influenced by the festive vibe but the bar service was excellent so no long wait for a round.The eight handpumps were offering a mix of light and dark beers and ales were rotating at a rapid rate.Dark Star and Thornbridge ales always seem to be featured ,but the Marble Chocolate was reversed before I could even get an order in.Over the evening the ale quality maintained a high standard,but the lack of a notebook and the passage of time make exact recollection of what the four of us drank almost impossible.
We didnt eat ,but folk seemed to be ordering pub snacks rather than full meals,and the chips and mixed platters looked fine to me with plates returned to the kitchen empty.
Although real ale enthusiasts are well catered for,I got the impression that Continental lager buffs have even more to get their teeth into with a fine offering of draught lagers and the bottled selection in the menu book was impressive.We declined the opportunity to sample BrewDog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin 35% ABV at £45 or Sink the Bismark 41%ABV at £60,that may have to be a challenge for another day.
A pub traditionalist wouldn't feel at home in here,but this is a succesful outlet for the adventurous drinker and it's most definately on the list for a revisit in 2011.
UPDATE
A revisit has compelled me to award top marks.Nothing new about the interior ,the short menu burgers were superb but the ale range was out of this world.Featuring Hopcraft and Torrside (unfined) ales in peak condition with lots of quality high ABV brews,this was an exceptional visit.Be prepared to swing the bat at some challenging sounding ales,relax and enjoy.An absolute must visit if your care about ale.
On 16th April 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Cask Pub & Kitchen
At last, a pub that gets a revisit stamp! I had Abduction which was excellent and the choice was extensive - 15 keg, 14 real ales and bottles in fridges. There was a price list to the left of the bar that showed increases in price subject to the ABV level - saves any messing around.
On 18th January 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Cask Pub & Kitchen
Housed in a dismal looking building,the interior isnt exactly cutting edge although functional. Its all about the beer here and was one of the first pubs to push craft beer and still does a very impressive range of keg and bottled beers. Cask beer wise there are 10 hand pumps with an equally impressive lineup on my latest visit here,
Harbour Light Ale and Amber Ale, Stancil Barnsley Bitter,Glastonbury Pilton Pop,Smoked Rye and Velo Dog from Gun Brewery,and four from Hopcraft,Excange of Fluids 2,Every Hop I Love Is Dead,Graveyard Eyes and Digging Up The King.If your into good interesting beer this is the place for you.
On 4th September 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about Cask Pub & Kitchen
Situated on the corner of a unappealing block of 1970s flats, this modern take on a pub goes from strength to strength. the interior is very contemporary with mushroom paint schemes and scrub top tables. Staff are pleasant and happy to discuss beer.
I have visited several times in the last couple of years for both drinks and food. The beer is constantly changing and is always on top form. Sometimes the choice is restricted by nothing more than ABV, with perhaps 6 of the 10 pumps over 5.5 and far too strong for a session, but if you go back in a couple of days, the choice has changed. Quite often, there is a mild and a porter on the bar amongst the amber, red and brown beers, I have never failed to find something to my taste.
Food is burger orientated and aside from the sweet brioche bun they are mighty tasty. The pub sells a decent glass of wine too, much to the delight of the wife. Fridges behind the bar and in the main room contain a bewildering assortment of bottled beers from around the world. Not my thing, but I am sure that some punters will indulge.
In short, the Cask is a beer oasis in this part of London and well worth a visit.
On 3rd November 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Cask Pub & Kitchen
Ten ales on handpump on our visit, we went for Siren Dinner for Six and Salopian Lemon Dream. I ordered a half of Salopian and then decided to upgrade to a pint. In spite of the pub being busy, this wasn't a problem to the patient barman. Beware a lot of tables reserved around the pub for the office crowd at 5pm.
On 28th July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]