NERAX 2024

Ha! That was my post from last year. I'm most likely going on Wednesday so, if I do (and I remember), I'll post the matrix again.

 

Chris is holding off this year: hesitant on temp + barrel/faß acclimation (Bavarian Cooperage)

Confirmed/Caught up with Gary Chopourian & Mark Bowers...The Pitch Lined Holzfaß is coming from Schilling

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RE: UK Casks - Conditioning is a major factor here/some will not be tapped during the event window (i.e. they are not ready, and will see distro)

 

Damn, that’s a real bummer. Hopefully it’s all the New England IPAs and none of the milds or bitters.

 

Stinks. Hopefully not too many trying the UK breweries/styles is top of my to do at this event

 

All the beers are on the stillage (racks) from setup; some aren't ready early on and become so later. They replace kicked kegs before each session begins, but during the session (I think I saw it happen once in all the years I was going, them tapping (or allowing pours) from a keg partway through the session.
Even on Saturday they'll add in new beers between sessions; sometimes they've specifically held off on tapping new ones until then, so that it's not just dregs left over that evening.

 

I’m there Wednesday and Saturday (day) after many year absence. Can’t believe it’s been 25 years since first NERAX in Redbones basement!

 

Oh the memories.

 

Is that the Dilboy?!

 

Yes. Circa 2004 - If you know - you know.

 

I miss the bathrooms.

 

First pour - Edward - bright/fruity.

 

First time here this is the best. So much stuff never seen in these parts. I’m going mild crazy if you know what I mean.

 

Fantastic first night. Such a great fest, here’s a pic of some menus from tonight

 

Any highlights? Looks like a fair amount of UK casks were ready to go, which is great to hear.

Very interested how Sacred Profane's Dark Lager on cask is.

 

A few of the IPAs from the UK were surprisingly good. Also Nidd Mild was quite nice. Didn’t try the sacred profane.

 

I only drank one US beer and otherwise stuck to UK. Lots of US breweries I’ve never tried before as well but only so much stomach capacity. I liked Loch Lomond’s dark mild best and a Black IPA from Abbeydale 2nd most.

 

I usually stick with the UK stuff but I saw the University of New Hampshire one and had to try it. Looked up some YouTube stuff today and didn't realize they have a brewing course there. Pretty cool.

Going to Saturday afternoon session too but sad I won't be there tonight or Friday. Always great. Also didn't realize Jonathan Tuttle passed just this year. I wish I had met him. Seemed like a character.