About The Scheme

How will the scheme work?


The scheme is operated by an independent body called Cask Marque Trust which is a limited company, limited by guarantee, and a non profit making organisation. The company is run by a management committee elected by its members. The members who pay a subscription will include representatives from brewers, retailers, trade bodies and consumer groups.

Pubs that join the scheme will be visited unannounced by an independent assessor twice a year. In the first year they will be visited twice in the first three months and in subsequent years they will be visited once in the Summer and once in the Winter.

The assessor will check all cask ales on sale for - temperature, appearance, aroma and taste.

If the pub passes it receives a plaque, framed certificate and merchandising material to inform its customers of the award and their rights.

The customers are encouraged to comment independently on the quality of cask ale in the pub to the Cask Marque organisation.

Cask Marque stands for:
  • Excellence in the service of cask ale.
  • Awarded to the licensee rather than to the pub.
  • Jointly funded by brewers and retailers.
  • Inspections made twice a year.

  • "Quality in all areas is becoming increasingly important. We welcome any initiative that aims to drive the quality of the product the customer drinks. Cask Marque certainly delivers this in terms of real ale." Francis Patton Customer Services Director, Punch Taverns

  • "The Bii fully supports the work of Cask Marque in helping deliver high quality and refreshing beer to customers. Many of our members are holders of the Cask Marque Award, and see this achievement as a key point in helping them to improve their business performance." John McNamara, Chief Executive, British Institute of Innkeeping

  • "CAMRA sees quality as a vital factor in increasing the popularity of cask beer and warmly welcomes the Cask Marque initiative as a positive way of tackling the issue problem." Paula Waters, Chairman of CAMRA


Look out for the Cask Marque Plaque. This guarantees beer quality in the outlet and the opportunity to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.