Greene King says 4.5-gallon pins will be a key answer to ensuring quality and the future of cask ale.

In January, the Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk producer said it would become the UK’s first major brewery to launch cask pins with a seven-figure investment, rather than the more traditional nine-gallon (72-pint) containers.

Now, the company says the introduction of pins will reinvigorate the sector by helping licensees always deliver a range of fresh cask beer to customers, engaging lapsed and new drinkers while also minimising waste.

Offering the smaller unit will give operators the ability to manage a lower throughput at quieter times of the week, meaning less waste from unsold beer. Pubs will only need to serve 12 pints a day to maintain quality, rather than the 24 when using firkins, so operators can still offer cask ale during lower footfall periods.

The brewer said firkins will still have a place in the cellar when operators have busier periods and are selling more cask beer while pins can offer the option of a seasonal real ale on the bar. With the smaller pin for the seasonal, the operator can offer a wider variety without committing to double the volume.

Greene King’s head of brewery engagement John Malone said: “We continue to invest and innovate within the cask beer sector and as such, are excited to launch pins. Pins will help us to address some of the key challenges that serving this unique product can bring and provide operators with support to serve our beers in perfect condition, while also maximising profits and minimising wastage.

“Simply, we believe that pins will provide three things: more choice, less waste and better quality, which is just what the category needs. Whether operators are wanting to expand their range and offer seasonal ale or need that lower throughput at quieter times of the week, pins can provide that support to ensure that it’s a quality pint being served to the customer.

“Cask ale is part of our heritage and is the heart of any great pub and we remain passionate in investing in the category for the future.”

Greene King has also implemented cask support tools for its customers, offering full cellar training, to ensure they have all the guidance needed, and the Cask Iron Guarantee which is a pledge to free trade customers to refund or credit Greene King casks that go out of date ahead of them being sold through.

The brewer will be rolling out cask pins to all managed, leased, tenanted and free trade customers this July with its seasonal Fresh Cask Releases. The first seasonal beers to be available in pins will be Ale Fresco, a smooth golden ale, and New Tricks, the latest collaboration with Nethergate brewery.

Greene King has also announced the launch of Old Master Hen as a bottle-conditioned beer.

Old Master Hen is brewed at 7 per cent ABV and is bottled-conditioned to mature with age. The ale is described as strong and full-bodied, with a deep amber colour, masses of characteristic toffee and fruit, notes of citrus orange, and traditional English hop bitterness.