NERAX 2024

I stuck mostly w/the Yorkshire/Scottish stuff - Stewarts Gold, Harrogate NIDD mild, Cairngorm Stag all excellent. Tried the Loch Lomond Black Grouse -- a mild flavored w/cherries - really grew on me- the cellar temp bringing out the flavors. Wasn't a big fan of the Fyne Taiheke single hop session. All in all - incredible line up and cellaring/conditioning performed to perfection. Going back Fri to hit up the American casks. Hope the Edward lasts -- they had it pouring for only the first half hour last night -- preserving it for the other days of the fest I suspect. It's not a traditional offering w/the cloudiness but-- for me -- the perfect marriage of old cask tradition and new wold IPA -the hop character just popped. Kudos to the NERAX volunteers and LT -- simply a unique feel good experience all around.

 

I seem to remember that not being genuine cask conditioning. I could be misremembering. Not saying it wouldn't be great though.

 

you are correct - its force carb beer racked to a pin -- still fun and the beer engine definitely lends some creaminess to the beer - but not real ale.

 

I remember a couple years ago at the Saturday day session they pulled Edward out for last call.

@zid

 

Edward was still pouring tonight (Thursday) until at least 8:30. Super fruity and a real treat. I think the Elgood Warrior might have been my highlight though. A UK strong bitter that lived up to its name.

 

The other 12 steps to sobriety...

 

If you guys could slow down on drinking all the UK bitter and mild that would be great. Save some for us on Saturday!

 

NERAX will forever be the baseball card show of beer festivals. And I hope that never changes.

 

British cask sighted at Olde Magoun’s!! Christopher ColumbusX from Xtreme Ales, a 4.6% single hop pale ale. The NERAX magic is contagious!

 

It looks like Deep Ellum has a UK bitter on cask today too! The Five Points Brewing Best Bitter at 4.1%

 

From Friday night, for me, my favorites were Our Finest from Suarez and Lowland Brown Ale from Tributary (the California Common was a standout for me last year). I leaned in hard on the UK casks early, but was disappointed by more than a few and actually didn’t finish a couple because they seemed off.