brewindruid wrote: I can certainly see where the upkeep on a stainless or plastic pin would be far easier, but if you go that route why not just adapt a Korny keg and use wood chips?
Real Ale's at home are less about casks (which, even in pubs in the UK are now 99% stainless or aluminium) and more about the method of serving; the beer engine - which pulls the beer up from the cask/keg to the glass without CO2.
Friends here in Canberra use a corny keg + beer engine (and sparkler fitting) for that creamy mouthfeel you get (without nitrogen) in a real ale.
Oaking is a whole 'nother thing - few British real ales have oak character and those that do, like in the US or Oz, are marketed as such.
