NERAX North is coming up next week!

Discussion in 'New England' started by caskaleisgreat, Nov 6, 2017.

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  1. caskaleisgreat

    caskaleisgreat Initiate (0) Nov 6, 2017 Massachusetts

    Hi everyone!

    Your favorite fall cask ale festival is right around the corner! We'll be returning to Salem this year to the terrific KoC hall adjacent to the green. It's an easy half-mile hike from the commuter rail (and also Notch Brewing!) For our friends here on the BA forums, save $1 off admission with coupon code NN17BABA.

    If you haven't been before, NERAX (the New England Real Ale eXhibition) North models itself after cask ale festivals you'd attend in England. There is a nominal door charge to enter, then it's cash pints across the bar. You can buy quarter, half, and full Imperial pints. Be sure to bring a little extra for some BBQ as the food is being handled by Smokin' Betty's.

    Cask ale is beer served at cellar temperature that is significantly less carbonated than its draught counterpart. Some feel it is significantly more flavorful and less filling, tending to emphasize malt character. This is a living beer that changes over the several days of the festival. We take care of the beer for several days in advance of the festival, giving our festival the opportunity to serve cask ale in peak condition.

    Our beer comes from across New England and also across the pond with an amazing selection of unique UK brews. In addition to beer there will be a selection of ciders available as well.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/events/info/84361/

    Hope to see you there!

    -- Randy Baril
    Festival Organizer, NERAX North 2017
     
    Leebo, Witherby, MNtoMA and 4 others like this.
  2. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (558) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I'm in for the Saturday afternoon session. Looking forward to it!
     
    chipawayboy likes this.
  3. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (1,917) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looking forward to NERAX north and wanted to put a plug in for the tutored tasting session planned for Friday the 17th. Andy the owner/brewer from tiny Thames Side Brewery (located outside London in the river side town of Staines) will be at the event and sharing samples of and talking about his real ales. Andy’s beers have won CAMRA “best in show” festival awards recently and are classic UK brews w/some modern interpretations using US NW hops. In addition to making great real ales, Andy brings his unique and broad experience to the beer discussion having lived in both the UK and the US. I was fortunate to visit Andy at his brewery a couple of months ago and highly recommend this limited ticket session. Cheers - can’t wait for NERAX!!
     
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  4. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (1,917) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

  5. caskaleisgreat

    caskaleisgreat Initiate (0) Nov 6, 2017 Massachusetts

    Thanks! We're very happy that Andy is coming over for a visit and I personally can't wait to hear what he has to say at the Tutored Tasting!
     
  6. yuppiescum

    yuppiescum Crusader (478) Jun 4, 2009 Massachusetts

    Can't go, super jealous.
     
  7. Leebo

    Leebo Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 Massachusetts

    Last year walked into the one in Southie. Hill Farmstead Edward, on cask. YES PLEASE.
     
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  8. ElmerTLee

    ElmerTLee Initiate (0) Apr 25, 2015 Connecticut

    Have the beers been announced?
     
  9. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (558) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I don't think NERAX publishes cask lists online anymore, but you can check up on some of the beers on Untappd
     
  10. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (1,917) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Really nice event this year in Salem — went last night and the selection and condition of the real ales was steller —no easy feat given the amount of unique gear and celler management technique/process required. My BIS was Fyne Ales Jarl Citra single hop golden ale. At 3.8% you could drink it all night - which I did!! Congrats to the NERAX team - Mark/Randy/Chopper - NERAX is one of the true treasures of today’s amazing NE beer scene.
    [​IMG]
     
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  11. bsullivan

    bsullivan Devotee (385) Aug 17, 2017 Connecticut

    Is there any food at the fest?
     
  12. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (1,917) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    yes - they have a local BBQ place serving pulled pork and sausage sandwiches/fixins. Very tasty.
     
  13. rhino88888888

    rhino88888888 Zealot (558) Dec 12, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Congrats to the whole NERAX crew for another amazing festival! A fantastic mix of US and UK cask beers and cask ciders in a laid back atmosphere. Great service. My favorite was the Allagash Black, but it was great to see 5 different US/UK bitters all on cask in one place! Here's my pics of the boards for the 12pm Sat session. Don't fear the reaper!

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    chipawayboy, Leebo, Witherby and 2 others like this.
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