To me, there are three main factors that always make or break an outdoor music festival: weather, volume, and beer. And although I did enjoy myself, personally Cask & Drum didn't quite master any of the three. Weather: I know, I know, you can't control the weather, but boy, oh boy, at least pick a space with some shade! October can be finicky in terms of temperature, but one should still anticipate that, in Alabama, it's probably gonna be hot. After about only fifteen minutes, we found ourselves cramming up close to the building with dozens of others trying to get out of the sun for a bit. The Gameday Tent was already packed to capacity and, although shaded, almost warmer than standing out in the elements. Other than the lack of shade, the area was nice (right by Pepper Place) with plentiful street parking. Volume: (I repeat) I know, I know, you want the music loud enough for everyone can hear it, but I shouldn't have to stand six hundred feet back just to comprehend the music! If we got much closer, all we got was speaker base. I'll redeem that by saying the lineup at this festival was pretty rockin'! I hadn't been previously familiar with some of the daytime bands, but I loved Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires and can't say I didn't' enjoy the others as well. Beer: I'm picky about my beers. A festival like this is the PERFECT opportunity to showcase some of the local (or regional, at least) craft beers, but the festival seemed dominated by miller lite. Bleh. Personal taste, that's all. I think next year, I'll invest in getting a VIP ticket to get access to the tent with seating, pizza and beer (plus nice bathrooms)- it's the little luxuries that make an event like this special. I also wish there had been a few more craft vendors there. There was a small booth right out by the entrance, which misled me to expect more. It would add a little something more to the event. read more