History of Cask Days

Cask Days was founded by Bar Volo in Toronto in 2005 as a celebration of cask-conditioned beer. The first Cask Days took place on the patio of Bar Volo with 22 casks from 15 breweries and 150 attendees. Over the next two decades, the festival grew across multiple Toronto venues, bringing together breweries, beer drinkers and cask ale from across Canada and beyond.

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2 Days, 22 Casks. 15 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo (587 Yonge St.)
Attendees: 150

Highlights: First cask ale event on the patio of Bar Volo in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Ralph Morana. 150 attendees

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3 Days, 46 Casks. 40 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo (587 Yonge St.)
Attendees: 400

Highlights: Greater participation from Quebec Breweries

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 40 Casks. 41 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo (587 Yonge St.)
Attendees: 450

Highlights: First cask cider (Waupoos County Cider Co.) Pre-Cask Days events: 22 English beer styles. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 55 Casks. 45 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo, Beau's & Grand River
Attendees: 500

Highlights: First introduction to collaboration brews and satellite events at Beau's Oktoberfest & Grand River.

Poster | Photos

1 Day, 82 Casks. 55 Breweries
Location: Hart House
Attendees: 1600

Highlights: First year outside of Bar Volo. Largest cask-ale festival in Canada.

Poster | Photos

2 Days, 112 Casks. 80 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Attendees: 3,600

Highlights: New venue, beers from all provinces, food, music and art. 

Poster | Photos

2 Days, 241 Casks. 138 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Attendees: 4,100

Highlights: New International Brewery Feature (UK). Cider section and IPA Challenge Final Four. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 336 Casks. 126 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Attendees: 6,600

Highlights: International feature: California, Cask IPA Challenge Bracket, Largest cask ale festival in North America. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 375 Casks. 143 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Attendees: 9,700

Highlights: International feature: Washington & New York State. Fifth largest cask ale festival in the world. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 400 Casks. 150 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Attendees: 10,000

Highlights: International feature: Oregon. Lardon international food vendor. Second largest cask festival in the world. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 417 Casks. 164 Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brickworks
Attendees: 11,000

Highlights: International feature: New York City, Daniel Burns international food vendor, Best of NYC on tap at Bar Volo. 

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 400+ Casks. 150+ Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brickworks
Attendees: 14,000

Highlights: International feature: Seminars from Cascade & Oxbow brewing. Beers from across USA.

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 400+ Casks. 150+ Breweries
Location: Evergreen Brickworks
Attendees: 15,000

Highlights: International feature: Seminars from Cascade & Oxbow brewing. Beers from across USA.

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 45 Casks. 29 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo (17 St. Nicholas St.)
Attendees: 500

Highlights: Return of Cask Days post-pandemic, back to original roots on bar volos patio.

Poster | Photos

3 Days, 44 Casks. 41 Breweries
Location: Bar Volo (17 St. Nicholas St.)
Attendees: 700