NERAX 2015

Discussion in 'New England' started by rhino88888888, Apr 14, 2015.

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  1. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Has anyone seen a cask list for this year's NERAX yet? I've got tickets for the Wed, Fri and Sat eve sessions. Can't wait!
     
    #1 rhino88888888, Apr 14, 2015
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  2. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    They haven't published lists ahead of time for a couple years now. Part is getting things actually in and on the stillage, and part is actually what is dropping bright for each session.
    I will be volunteering for Wed, Thurs and Fri sessions. So looking forward to it.
    This is always my favorite fest of the year.

    ETA: They will probably tweet / Facebook out a list right at opening or just before with what is on.
     
    #2 JrGtr, Apr 14, 2015
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  3. krantul

    krantul Zealot (672) May 18, 2005 Massachusetts

    We (Medusa) sent a Rye IPA made with Citra and Legacy, and stuffed the cask with Simcoe when we filled it. Hopefully it makes it on; I just vented the same cask this morning at the brewery and it was... lively, to say the least. But my hair smells great now!
     
    #3 krantul, Apr 14, 2015
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  4. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Redbones had two British casks for the NERAX kickoff party last night. Lymestone Brewery's Ein Stein on gravity and Quantock Brewery's Will's Neck on the beer engine (my favorite of the two). There was also a cask from Aeronaut on gravity. They might still be running today.
     
    #4 rhino88888888, Apr 14, 2015
  5. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've never been and I'm attending Saturday evening. I'm looking forward to the event because my exposure to cask ale has been minimal at best. Every time I have had it, I just haven't been prepared for the texture of it (mostly the lesser carbonation), so hopefully after Saturday, I'll have a greater appreciation for real ales.
     
    #5 Sheppard, Apr 15, 2015
  6. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    It’s both depressing and awesome at the same time. You’re going to want to have the option to drink proper session-strength cask ale all year round, but you’ll find they’re few and far between in Mass.

    It’s like getting to sleep with the hottest chick you’ve ever met in your life once a year.
     
    #6 AlcahueteJ, Apr 15, 2015
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  7. carbs

    carbs Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2014 Massachusetts

    @krantul Are there plans to do any regular cask offerings at Medusa? That rye IPA sounds really great.
     
    #7 carbs, Apr 15, 2015
  8. krantul

    krantul Zealot (672) May 18, 2005 Massachusetts

    Now that you mention it, we're putting an identical cask on Thursday night, and hope to make that weekly tradition.
     
    #8 krantul, Apr 15, 2015
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  9. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    One of the highlights of NERAX for me every year are the cask-conditioned ciders - British and American. You hardly ever see cask cider around Boston. All kinds of fruity, funky, musty, farmhouse flavors.
     
    #9 rhino88888888, Apr 15, 2015
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  10. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    #10 rhino88888888, Apr 16, 2015
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  11. bring

    bring Zealot (730) Aug 17, 2005 Greenland
    Trader

    As it is discussed above, I will add that the Medusa Rye IPA with Citra and Legacy is quite good.
     
    #11 bring, Apr 16, 2015
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  12. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    +1 on the cask from Medusa. Spicy and fragrant. Thanks @krantul! I'm looking forward to visiting your taproom this summer!
     
    #12 rhino88888888, Apr 16, 2015
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  13. krantul

    krantul Zealot (672) May 18, 2005 Massachusetts

    Thanks, @bring and @rhino88888888, glad you enjoyed it. Not trying to threadjack TOO much here, but as a long-time NERAX attendee and past volunteer, it's pretty cool to see one of our beers up on the stillage and somewhat fitting that NERAX should be our first festival contribution. And wow.. that is a lot of IPAs on tap this year...
     
    #13 krantul, Apr 16, 2015
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  14. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,193) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    If that chick is flat and kinda lukewarm. :wink:
     
    #14 EnronCFO, Apr 16, 2015
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  15. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    any feedback from opening night? and emerging BIS's? Heard the crowd was all time sparse - I'm sure the location and parking situation aren't helping. Going tonight or tomorrow -- hoping Edward is pouring......
     
    #15 chipawayboy, Apr 16, 2015
  16. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Yes, the crowd was pretty thin. Hopefully it will pick up for Fri/Sat. The location is great for MBTA access but I wouldn't want to park around there. I'm sure moving the date was a big factor too. The space is a perfect setup for NERAX though. Hopefully they can book it for next year.

    My faves from last night were Beer'd Brewing's Hobbit Juice and the double dry hopped cask of Citra Mantra. I sampled some nice cider from Far from the Tree and Maine Mead Works. I only tried a couple of Brits but I liked Otley's Inspiration, a toasty malty English IPA.
     
    #16 rhino88888888, Apr 16, 2015
  17. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Hey, I prefer mine all natural, what can I say?

    I imagine it was the date change. Elegant locations that are easy to get to with tons of parking aren't exactly the hallmarks of previous NERAX locations, and they've been packed in previous years.
     
    #17 AlcahueteJ, Apr 16, 2015
  18. tillerybass

    tillerybass Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Massachusetts

    What size pour is most common? And is it cash only? Heading up on Saturday and can't wait!
     
    #18 tillerybass, Apr 16, 2015
  19. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Cash only for entry at the door and for the pours.

    I usually get quarter and half pours but you can also get full pours (Imperial pint) of beers under 7% ABV. You can get info on the pour sizes and prices on this page - http://nerax.org/nerax/nerax-sessions-and-admissions.html
     
    #19 rhino88888888, Apr 16, 2015
  20. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (694) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    About 75 people in line for Fri open. Glad to see a good crowd!
     
    #20 rhino88888888, Apr 17, 2015
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