The Living Beer: Inside Toronto’s Secret Cask Ale Sanctuary
It ain’t easy to find a genuine cask ale outside the United Kingdom. Finding one in Toronto is an even greater challenge. In fact, the city boasts only three establishments dedicated to serving this rare brew. Among them, one tucked-away alleyway joint stands as a premier destination for beer purists across the continent.
Cask ale is the only beer served completely alive.
What makes this beverage so elusive? Cask ale is the only beer served completely alive. The process requires delicate, timely craftsmanship and intense cellar labour. Unlike standard commercial beers, it remains unfiltered and unpasteurized. The liquid undergoes natural fermentation directly inside the cask right in the pub’s cellar. Because it is actively fermenting, it possesses an extremely short shelf life, making it a high-risk, high-reward product for publicans.
Bar Volo is one of North America’s most influential beer destinations.
This brings us to Bar Volo, a hidden gem located down a small alley in the Bay Street Corridor. Far from just a local watering hole, Bar Volo is recognized as one of North America’s most influential beer destinations. The establishment has single-handedly elevated the city’s beer profile on the world stage, most notably through its internationally renowned October Cask Days Festival. It is unique institutions like this that cement Toronto’s reputation as a top global foodie destination.
The interior oozes old-world European character.
Stepping inside the bar feels like transporting oneself across the Atlantic. The interior oozes old-world European character, styled with rich dark wood, repurposed church pews, and deeply personal design touches from the owners. The total European vibes offer the perfect backdrop for exploring the rotating cask varieties available on any given day.
These short-lived beers offer velvety textures and good gut probiotics.
Before you decide that cask ales are not your thing, consider the unique profile of a living pour. Due to the natural fermentation process, these beers serve up an extremely velvety texture. They are also packed with antioxidants, B-vitamins, and live, beneficial gut probiotics. When paired with Bar Volo’s specially curated charcuterie board, the tasting turns into a complex flavor experience full of tasty expressions.
A gigantic chalkboard offers two dozen rotating taps.
If you want to vary your order, these short-lived beers keep excellent company. A gigantic chalkboard dominates the space, tracking two dozen rotating taps alongside rare, hard-to-find international imports. Whether you are a cask devotee or an import enthusiast, the selection satisfies the most curious palates.
Logistics: Find Bar Volo tucked away at 17 St. Nicholas St., Toronto. For more local secrets and curation, discover updates across our social media platforms and at my-toronto.ca, your premier online Toronto lifestyle magazine.