NERAX 2017

Thanks for starting the NERAX thread!

I agree completely. NERAX is a very different beast, much more of a laid back, pub-like atmosphere. You can taste a lot of beers if you like or you can just relax with a full pint of British bitter if that's your thing. No pressure and no big lines at the taps.

I've gone for a number of years and the NERAX team usually tries to split the offerings evenly between local beers and UK beers with an occasional German cask. I always look forward to the classic British session offerings and the funky UK cask ciders.

NERAX used to publish a beer list a few days prior to the festival opening but I don't think they've done that the last few years (I could be wrong). Also, not all beers are available at every session so don't get your heart set on one particular beer. Enjoy the variety and serendipity - and don't fear the reaper!

I'll be there on Thursday and Saturday (and maybe Friday too). Hope to see you there!

(Regarding the Jaguar, parking can be a bear in Southie. I'm not sure where you're coming from but I'd recommend taking the T if you can. The hall is a short walk from the Red Line Broadway stop.)

 

The times that I've been it's always been on a Saturday and even then, there wasn't a shortage of UK casks to fulfill my interests, because like you, I'm not there to necessarily explore domestic offerings. So I wouldn't worry much about that. Don't get me wrong, I tried 1 or 2 domestic ones out of curiosity of how the beer translates on cask from how I know it normally. I.e., I tried Ipswich's Oatmeal stout to compare it to the normal bottle version that we all know well and it was beautiful.

I also think it's a great to simply explore on a whim there, rather than seeking out specific beers. There's no assurance that the beer you want will be available the time you go, anyway. I found the level of quality to be fairly high across the board, it just came down to personal taste at that point.

 

I've been on all different days and there's lots of imported stuff anytime you go. I guess Saturday has been when more hyped stuff goes on, like a cask of Edward or something.

The pay-as-you-go plan definitely sounds appealing but I always end up spending more than the normal ticket cost at a BA fest. Wednesday has the cheapest entrance fee.

It's best to ask the bartenders what they think is good if you don't know what to get.

 

I've been going to NERAX for 15 year or so at this point (yeesh...) and still never get tired of it.
I'll be going Friday this year.
I don't know I've ever not had a good selection of both domestic and imports to try, except maybe second session Saturday, though there is still a good amount of stuff still on.
I don't disagree that some of the casks I scratch my head at, some beers do not improve by being on cask, much less with random stuff tossed it.
However, you can still just get a quarter pint of something you wonder at, rather than have to invest money, tastebuds and liver function at something you're not sure about.
They haven't published the list ahead for a few years now, mostly because they may have something in high demand, that either was on to start the fest, and those who come Friday are shut out, or people come Wednesday, looking for beer X, and it isn't on, either not ready or they're holding it for later in the fest.
I do and don't like this - I do like being surprised when I go and look up at the board, but I also liked being able to look ahead of time and see what I was interested in trying (though odds were those beers weren't on.)

 

Buy a full pint glass and get 1/2 pint pours. Reasonable prices. Go with a group and everyone order something different, share and taste after that.

 

I've done the last two festivals and they are my favorite by a country mile. You really weed out the 'I'm just here to get drunk' crowd. When people are paying for each sample you put more thought into what you get. This isn't to say there aren't drunk people, but there is a more enjoyable vibe for me personally without huge lines for any particular beers. Thankfully you wont find the lines 100 people deep for a Treehouse beer.

Also as others have noted the line-up changes by session. You'll get a guide when you enter, so just pick some stuff that looks good to you.

 

NERAX really is a one of a kind special beer event -- and it's based on volunteerism and relationships and passion for a traditional method of conditioning and serving beer that -- quite frankly -- isn't exactly growing and really needs advocacy. Can't wait for this years event.

 

Wait, Treehouse backed out AGAIN this year? Well, fuck it, I'm not going.

I've been going for over 10 years now I believe, probably has always been the Saturday day session. I also attended NERAX North for the first time because it's now in Salem (seriously great day of session beers as we hit up Notch afterwards).

I absolutely adore this event, as many have said, easily the best beer fest around. I also agree, it really weeds out the drunks, and also the tickers looking for the latest and great IPA (not that there's anything wrong with that).

This creates a truly pub-like atmosphere, filled with knowledgeable people who simply love craft beer.

I'll typically drink as many imported English bitters, milds (if they have them), Golden ales...etc. as I can. And the best part, many of them are ACTUAL session strength (4% or less), so you can drink to your heart's content and not throw up in a barrel from 10 different 8% double IPAs. I also encourage trying a few American casks just to mix it up. You find some real gems sometimes as @jbertsch pointed out with Ipswich's Oatmeal Stout, and possibly some beers you've never seen before from some local breweries. I believe last year I had a Vienna lager from Jack's Abby that tasted great.

 

I think it's because NERAX is such a unique event. YEs, there have been cask fests popping up all over, but this one has been going for so long, with basically the same group of folks organizing and running it, and they are trained in proper handling and serving of cask beer, that it does stand alone, at least in my mind, of the best out there.
As others have mentioned, it has a unique vibe - the people who come are interested in the beer, but not in getting blitzed.

 

The NERAX Kickoff Party will be Monday, March 27, 6pm-8pm at Redbones in Davis Square. In the past they've had 3 or 4 gravity casks on the bar at the kickoff party.

 

Been telling myself the last few years I'll go to this, finally buying tickets this year. Dug up last year's tap lists thanks to @chinabeergeek: (1) imgur.com/a/X9Hu8 (2) imgur.com/a/UWixQ (3) imgur.com/a/qSHAr

Non-American brewers list last year looks like Bragdy Oasthouse, Brecon, Brighton Beer, Bru, Cairngorn, Conwy, Cromarty, Cumbrian Legendary Ales, Downlands, Franklin's, Great Orme, Grey Trees, Hardknott, Inveralmond, Kelburn, Kelburn, Loch Ness, Monty's, Otley, Purple Moose, Swannay, Tiny Rebel.

I will confess to being familiar with none of those. Understanding that there won't be a list beforehand, but expecting some repeat brewers, any of those I should aim to try?

Any other advice beyond asking bartenders?

 

Most of those tend to be there most years. I know a few were new, but of those, Brecon, Cairngorn, Conwy, Cumbrian Legendary Ales, Downlands, Great Orme, Inveralmond, Kelburn, Loch Ness, Monty's, and Otley (off the top of my head) have been there year after year. They all have a few beers on, but without knowing your tastes and what they have on when you go, it's hard to give a recommendation.

 

Redbones and NERAX always reminds me of when the festival was held at Dilboy. Raise your hand if you remember that place?

I also remember the random year it was over by Union at that VFW hall I believe.

This festival is like Cinderella's glass slipper. If you find the girl who enjoys them, you've found the one.

 

Before my time, but I believe the very first NERAX was held at Redbones.

Dilboy was great but it could get a little crowded in the hall there. I think they had live music in Dilboy during the NERAX sessions the first year or two I went.

And don't forget 2014 when Aeronaut stepped up and saved NERAX when they were homeless by offering their semi-finished space for the festival! Aeronaut earned my eternal gratitude for that!

 

Yep, the old Dilboy. PLusses and minuses for that place - easy to get to, inside lines (that was nice those couple early / cold years) and easy walk to the T and for post fest eats (yay Anna's!)
Minuses: seemingly smaller capacity, especially when they didn't have limits on how many people they'd let in (remember the days when you'd have to get a full pint, then target the next beer you want and get in that line? By the time you get to the front you'd have finished the pint.) and the 2nd floor bathrooms, AKA the other 12 steps to sobriety.
They did have music a few years - that was the best decision ever; getting rid of that.

 

Holy crap, I totally forgot about that!

Wow, that seems so long ago.