NERAX is back!!!

Thanks - much appreciated. Do you have any sense what percentage of the list they are pouring at any given time?

 

For the Thursday evening session, maybe had around 70-75 casks pouring?

 

How did everything go? Any real showstoppers? I'm bummed I couldn't make it up.

 

Damn I'm sorry I missed that since dark mild is my jam. I had two domestic versions (Ipswich and someone else I don't remember) and didn't find them that great. Ipswich was the better of the two.

I was randomly talking to some other volunteers and mentioned how much I had liked Widowmaker's Dark Mild at the last pre-covid Nerax and one of them was like "hey, I brewed that one!" He wasn't their usual brewer but guest brews now and again. Fun coincidence.

My favorite this time was a UK oatmeal stout. I really should have written down the name or not lost my booklet. Something with an 'S' I believe. Great time as always and felt like they picked up right up where they left off.

 

That was the one! Thanks.

 

I like Medusa's Sir Terry. Easy drinking.

 

They were tapped the day before

This takes place after they have been taped, or subjected to extreme conditions/weather: can you elaborate on what was “dumped…mixed results”

Presumably, a decision made on a 5oz pour; nonetheless, there were some issues with maturity: a sulfur + vegetal persistence

 

Had a good time Saturday night overall. The British beers, at least what was left at that point, had what I would consider a more non-traditional tilt for cask ale. I suppose this reflects the trend across the pond.

Only a couple of bitters remained. Brecon as usual was outstanding with their Corn Du. There were no British milds left. Instead there were hoppy pale ales with American or New Zealand hops, like the Leigh on Sea Beach Hut and Legra, and the Saltaire Nectaron. They were quite tasty, but not really what I go to NERAX for. Or there were straight up NE style IPAs (which I avoided) and imperial stouts including at least one with coconut, cacao and vanilla adjuncts.

Corn Du was the best beer I had but honorable mention goes to a couple of American brewers. The Keyboard Warrior mild from Ambition and the English pub ale from Airline we're both very nice.

I was surprised and disappointed that all of the ciders were from the US. My wife definitely missed the Welsh ciders from the past festivals.

 

During the first night or two, traditional UK styles like bitters and milds were pouring in abundance. Glad I attended earlier in the week.

 

Two UK casks currently pouring at Olde Magoun’s. Three Brothers “AU” Golden Ale (4.2%) and Loch Lamond Lost Monster Imp Stout (10%). $8.75 a pint for each. The golden ale is pleasantly floral. Hoping they’ll serve me a half pour of the stout after I finish the golden.

 

Just a confirmation that Magoun's will serve half-pours of cask ale. The Loch Lamond stout on cask was a stunner. Sticky toffee and cocoa with a nice bitter finish.

 

The stout is really good but I think the golden ale really benefits from the cask treatment. Lots of other great stuff on their list right now too: two German lagers from Traunstein and three hoppy beers from Hill Farmstead among others.

 

Looks like Mystic Station in Malden has Edward and the Difference & Repetition variant on right now too. HF everywhere!

 

https://heritageradionetwork.org/episode/love-casc-jimmy-nerax-boston

Excellent interview w/NERAX brass. Really enjoyed this -- what a special institution they've created.