NERAX 2015 looking for new location

I'm wonder if the date is also changing, because it was slated for March 25-28, but now just says "Spring 2015." (Although the dates are still listed on the "sessions" page.)

That's a bummer for them -- especially coming just 4 weeks before the planned event date -- but selfishly I'm pleased about this, because the Woburn venue isn't remotely convenient to any regularly scheduled public transportation options.

 

Couldn't agree more on all accounts. I wonder why they can't go back to Aeronaut?

 

Unfortunate for NERAX, but if they land closer to Boston public transportation routes it will be fortunate for my own drunk-and-carless self. I was kicking myself for missing it last year at Aeronaut; I could've caught a bus that picks up a five-minute walk from my house, and then walked five more minutes to Aeronaut at the other end.

Here's hoping.

 

one word : Dilboy!!!! Let's figure out what has to be done to get NERAX back in black. I heard it left Dilboy for safety reasons -- no fire supression system or something. The place did always seem like a death trap -- but what a great spot for NERAX -- close proximity to public transportation -- relatively good parking -- and Redbones/The Burren etc to extend the night. Man I miss that place....

 

also -- was hoping to get F'n Boom Sauce on cask at NERAX this year -- sounds like that dream is also down the tubes.

 

Yes!

It's also less than a 10 minute walk from my apartment....so I'm biased. But seriously, there's so many options for post-NERAX fun. Exponentially more than the last time they were there. Every time I walk by there I get nostalgic about NERAX...

 

also -- while we are talking NERAX -- like CAMRA -- they need to start getting a healthy dose of cask ales that have the over the top American hop influence. Yes they have the occasional HF or Alchemist brew -- and the ocassional American inspired UK ale -- Jaipur etc. -- but they need to do more to promote the new age American IPA/DIPA and Pale in cask form. How about Trillium FPPA in cask form? or SoS ...or Tree House XYZ -- they need to move w/the times. More VT Style IPA firkins!!!

 

Personal preference, but I could care less about hops at this event. Are you on the NERAX twitter feed? There's plenty of hop forward casks in and around Boston routinely. Recently Nugget Nectar at a few bars. I also had Ipswich 101 at Redbones a few weeks back which was amazing.

This event, to me at least, is about English cask ales. The more the better. It's the only time of the year I can have English cask ale in large quantities all in one room. Bitters and milds from across the pond all day....

 

IMO, beers with over the top hops almost never are better or as good on cask. It's a great delivery system just not for everything.

 

I agree, but if they're dry-hopped in the firkin it makes a huge difference.

 

Cask is the delivery system of the original hop forward beer-- the IPA -- and new variants that are brewed w/all late hop addition/whirlpool beers are outstanding on cask....think Citra and Simcoe and Amarillo -- and now hop varieties like Galaxy and Mosaic. Think soft bitterness and intense hop flavor and aroma like HT and SoS...made even better w more hops in the cask. Think the Vt big three-- and Trillium etc. A movement toward beers made with American craft IPA sensibilities is actually take root in the UK -- see below for examples I've sampled in EDI and York over the past two years. These were amazing and different cask ales. My point -- NERAX needs more of these beers and not less. I'm just not seeing it from most of the usual NERAX Breweries featured.
Q

 

I've had beers like you mentioned on cask on quite a few occasions. Very few times did the I think the cask helped them at all. Different strokes. I love cask beer I guess I'm just more choosy. Always willing to try more though!

 

Mayflower Spring Hop on cask at Stoddard's right now.

 

And what does this tell us about Lord Hobo Brewing's development....perhaps nothing or ????

 

Damn ... the hardest part of putting on events is finding a venue. Here's to hoping they can find some form of VFW or American Legion Hall in time.

 

LHBCo is on track. We were happy to offer a place to host NERAX, but there was always the risk of us not having our Certificate of Occupancy in time for the event. We may very well have it in time, but there is no way to predict... which makes it a bit too risky. I hope they find a new location. And we hope to host it next year and for years to come.

 

I wonder if another brewery like Nightshift could host in short time? Like how they had the Superbowl party?

Not trying to put them on the spot, just providing an example.

 

Good to hear.

If/when you host next year, do you think something could be set up through Uber (maybe a discount) similar to what is done for the Beeradvocate beerfests?

Not being near the MBTA is a major deterrent for my friends and I, and safety is always the number one concern. While we certainly control ourselves and remain respectful, none of us should be getting behind a wheel.

I imagine I'm not alone in that a large number of attendees to both the spring and fall NERAX were using public transportation.