This week is National Cask Ale Week in the U.K., and real ale fans all over the colonies are celebrating by drinking hand-pumped beer. If you are looking for an authentic experience (but have no plans to jump the pond) we suggest heading to Pratt Street Ale House in Baltimore. They will be pouring $5 cask pints of their traditional British-style ales every evening this week and will feature Oliver Breweries dry-hopped Blonde Ale in their glass-headed firkin on Friday. Need some coaxing? Check out the Beerspotter’s tasting notes from Oliver brewmaster Stephen Jones‘ event at Commonwealth last week.

Don’t worry if you can’t get out there because DC has some excellent opportunities to participate in Cask Ale Week. On Monday, ChurchKey will have the only cask of Bell’s Hopslam available in the area.  On Wednesday Flying Dog is bringing two casks (Snake Dog IPA and Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale) to Black Squirrel, and on Thursday the award-winning Frederick brewery will have Simcoe dry-hopped casks of Gonzo Imperial Porter, Snake Dog IPA, and Doggie-Style Classic Pale Ale at ChurchKey.

Beyond the special events this week, you can experience cask ale, DC’s Best New Beer Trend, anytime at Pizzeria Paradiso, Commonwealth, District Chophouse, RFD, the Brickskeller, and Rustico.

As for other beer fun this week, like every Monday you can visit Room 11 for their featured guest tap—which is St. Bernardus Pater 6 tonight. On Tuesday Black Squirrel will have the only available keg of Great Lakes Holy Moses. Tammy got the last few drops of a preview keg of this Belgian-style wit at the Big Hunt last month and recommends trying it. Also on Tuesday is Teddy Folkman‘s “New York’s Finest” Beer Dinner at Granville Moore’s and a lambic-focused beer tasting at Belga Café. Finally, if you can’t wait until next week for Williams Brothers/Heather Ale owner Bruce Williams to come to the Brickskeller, you can head up to Max’s in Baltimore Tuesday evening for his Scottish Ales and tales.

As always, click on any event in the DC Beer Events Calendar above for more details.