Cask Days 2025

For 19-ish years, we’ve been pouring, chatting, and spreading the gospel of cask ale, whether in the shadows of an old brick factory or out on a cozy bar patio. No matter the backdrop, the mission has always been the same: celebrate the greatness of cask ale. As the air turns crisp, it can only mean one thing… Cask Days are back! So, come raise a glass (or three) with us on the patio at Bar Volo, October 3–5. We’ll be tapping around 40 cask firkins from our favourite local breweries and maybe a cheeky cider or two. Real ale, real laughs, real good times.

What is cask ale?

In the early days of draught beer, before metal kegs, CO2 tanks or refrigerated coolers, there was cask-conditioned ale.  Unlike most beer, cask-ale does not complete its fermenting until days or even moments before it is delivered to the drinker, with a small amount of fermentation continuing in the cask from which the beer will be poured. Before tapping, a vent is opened in the top of the cask and the extra gas is allowed to escape, which is why cask ale is less carbonated than other beer.  Your finished pint may be a bit cloudy, but  should be mildly carbonated, slightly chilled and fresh and vibrant in taste. 

Participating Breweries

All My Friends, Amsterdam, Badlands, Bellwoods, Beyond The Pale, Black Lab, Blood Brothers, Burdock, Bobcaygeon, Dominion City, Durham / C'est What?, Fairweather, Fine Balance, Godspeed, Granite, Great Lakes, Indie Alehouse, Left Field, Matron, Merit, Muddy York, Rainhard, Revel, Rouge River, Short Finger, Silversmith, Slake, Sonnen Hill, Third Moon, Tooth & Nail, Town, True History, Two Loons, Volo, Willibald.

Event Details

Location: Bar Volo (17 St. Nicholas St.) No advance tickets. Admission will be $20 (includes a glass) at the door for each session and food/drink token system will be in effect. The bar will not be open for its usual food/drink offerings as we'll be dedicated to bringing you as many unique cask ale offerings as possible. Friday, October 3rd (12-11pm), Saturday, October 4th (12-11pm) and Sunday, October 5th (12-11pm)

FAQs

  • The event will take place at Bar Volo (17 St. Nicholas St.) in downtown Toronto. Event times are as follows, with last call 45 minutes before the listed end time:

    • Friday, October 3: 12 PM – 11 PM

    • Saturday, October 4: 12 PM – 11 PM

    • Sunday, October 5: 12 PM – 11 PM

  • Admission is $20 plus tax at the door (no advance tickets) and includes a Cask Days festival glass, granting access to the event with lively ambience and a curated selection of beers. Re-admission on multiple days is $10 if you bring your glass. Late admission (after 8 PM) is $15, and Sunday admission is $10.

  • Cask beer tickets are $3.75 each (plus tax) and sold in bundles of six. One ticket can be redeemed for a 5 oz pour of regular beers, while premium offerings (higher ABV or more expensive beers) require two tickets for a 5 oz pour. Non-cask offerings, including wine, draft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, are priced individually.

  • Yes, there will be an event style food menu available, similar to previous years, however, our regular food menu offerings will not be available.

  • Yes! We’ll have a full tap list featuring Volo-brewed draft beers, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. Please note that admission is required for the event, regardless of whether you’re enjoying cask ale or not.

  • All beers listed will be tapped on Friday at 12 PM. There is only one 40L cask of each beer, and if it sells out, there will be no back up tapped. Admission does not guarantee access to the full selection, so arrive early in the first sessions for the best choice. Please note that from the time the list is advertised to when the kegs are tapped, beers are subject to change and availability.

  • All drinks during Cask Days weekend are served in a festival glass. If your glass is lost or broken, a replacement glass can be purchased at the bar for $10 (plus tax).

  • We are a small bar with a 170-person capacity at any given time. When at standing comfort capacity, entry will operate on a one-in, one-out basis. Peak times are Friday and Saturday from 5–10 PM, so we recommend arriving early. In the past few years, we’ve rarely experienced lineups to get in, so it’s generally worth the risk if you’re concerned about access.

  • Friday and Saturday sessions are 19+ only, but Sunday is family-friendly and kids are welcome. At Bar Volo, children are always welcome outside of special events like Cask Days.