nerax 2025

The New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX) was held this year again, at the South Boston Lithuanian Citizens' Association and Lithuanian Kitchen, also known simply as the  Lithuanian Club. This is the second time I've been to NERAX at the Lithuanian Club. Its a big hall on the third floor of an older building on West Broadway in South Boston, just 5 or 6 blocks up from the Broadway T Station. Because of a mix-up on the dates, we bought four advance tickets for Friday (yesterday) but two of our party had other plans, so we bought four more tickets and went on Thursday. We still had tickets for yesterday, so we asked two other folks to go with us for a second round. I think that may have been the first time I've gone twice during an NERAX event. Wasn't a bad thing!

I sampled quarter pints, which is one quarter of an Imperial Pint, or about 5 ounces. They have a graduated scale for costs based on ABV (alcohol by volume). Most beers were below the 7% limit, and therefore $3.00 for a quarter pint. Between 7% and 10% is $4.00, and over 10% is $5.00 for a quarter. They also limit the draft size. The lower ABV beers are available in quarter, half, and full pints, whereas the mid-range in quarters and halves, and the over 10% beers only in quarter pints. There were only a few in these upper ranges that I saw, but I spent my time on the lower ABV beers, usually 6% and under. I sampled mine in one of the NERAX badged half-pint nonic glasses they have available for a $5 deposit, which you can forgo and take the glass home, which we all did. You can see the half-pint glasses in the pictures below.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Phil, Alessia, Stefan and Jacob. Happy Birthday Stefan!

 

Fen Slodger - 8 Sail Brewery, Heckington, Lincolnshire, England (ABV 5.0%)

This is the first beer listed in the program. tasting notes sounded good, so I dug right in. Penny brown-copper colored with a light head of little clinging bubbles. Malt and dark chocolate on the nose. Herbal, grains, and a soft, balanced bitterness, with a strong but pleasant bitter, astringent finish. A great start.

Everlasting - Attic Brewing Co., Birmingham, West Midlands, England (ABV 3.4%)

Molasses, malt and rye on the nose. Deep coppery color with a ivory colored thin and shiny head. It took a second, but the taste reminded me strongly of the brown bread they used to serve at Bugaboo Creek restaurant. I said that to my kids, who were there with me, and my son showed me a recipe on his phone, which was called Molasses Rye Bread. nailed it Thin, slightly sour, watery bitterness, with a smooth and silky bread crust finish. This one was labeled vegan.

Orkney Best - Swannay Brewery, Orkney, Scotland (ABV 5.2%)

Very light hops on the nose. Grassy-honey gold. Wild, initial high & low flavor profile. Bright, tart, citrusy sweetness floats over the top of a slightly sour, leather, pith, and sawdust bitterness. Like throat singing in a glass! Super clean and crisp finish.

Morph - Brass Castle Brewery, Malton, North Yorshire, England (ABV 5.0%)

Fruits, yeast and hops on the nose. Deep honey blonde. Balanced tart fruits with residual sweetness, apricot, and peach pit. Lingering, dry bitterness with citrus and salad greens. Very pleasant.

A Petition to the King for the Repeal of the Intolerable Acts - Amory's Tomb Brewing Co., Maynard, Massachusetts (ABV 6.5%)

This one was described as a dark ale--a blend of porter and brown ale--conditioned on spruce tips. Herbs and pine on the nose. Juicy mouth feel, frutti di bosco tartness, and dark fruits sweetness gives way to a roasted vegetable and braised meats depth of flavor, with a grapefruit skin and roasted tomato tang. The flavors sparkle in this one.

Proper Chap - Nod Hill Brewery, Ridgefield, Connecticut (ABV 4.4%)

Amber brown, with a wispy head. Malty, toast crust, dessert without much sweetness. Almonds, walnut skins, and dry caramel flavors.

FRIDAY NIGHT 

Phil, Stefan, Carmela, and Chuck

 

Pacific Porter - Kelburn Brewing, Glasgow, Scotland (ABV 5.5%)

Quiet hops on the nose, chocolatey red-brown with cream colored head. Juicy spices and brown bread. Tart, dry, bitter finish.

Ox Blood - Little Ox, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England (ABV 4.3%)

Bright and clear. Orangey-red with a straw yellow, wispy head. Clean, fruity citrus. Smooth, lasting but mild bitter finish.

Bravehop - Loch Lomond Brewery, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland* (ABV 4.3%)

Its another Coppery red ale! I tried lots of copper colored ales this year. Huge mouthfeel, complex wash over the tongue; herbal, vegetable, bread crust, crackers, and orange skin all playing in there. Smooth, long and super clean finish.

Tiddly - Fox Farm Brewery, Salem, Connecticut (ABV 3.8)

Walnut brown with a white, frothy head. Molasses, bread and vanilla nose. Melted snow, mild leather, with prunes and maybe some smoke?

Luminary - Medusa Brewing Company, Hudson, Massachusetts (ABV 5.6%)

Described as a cream ale, and vegan. Pale gold and clear. Watery, bubbly head. White fruits, top sweetness, smooth, snappy tartness. Melon and pineapple.

Unfiltered Helles - von Trapp Brewing, Stowe, Vermont (ABV 4.9%)

Goldenrod yellow, with a thick, frothy head. Pancake batter, wheat, berries, friar's tang,** leather, and biscuits.

Mildred - Liars Bench Beer Company, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (ABV 4.0%)

Last call! Deep red-brown smoky color with cream colored head. Roasted fruit and root vegetables. Hermits and raisins, with a tangy stickiness; Amaro. Light sour finish. Here's to Millie!!!

 

 

* Yes, its Dum-barton, in Dun-barton-shire, Scotland. That's an N and an M. Not a typo.

** Friar's Tang is that Belgian wild yeast, cave beer flavor from centuries old monastery beers. Just tastes like basement to me. Its  good thing the Helles I tried only had a little taint of this flavor.

 

 

return to nerax - 2023

George Gendron

2016 was the last time I went to NERAX, the New England Real Ale Exhibition, 7 years ago.* That visit was actually to NERAX North, and I went with my newly minted 21 year old. This time, it was with both of my kids, at the NERAX's new home at the South Boston Lithuanian Club. We attended the Saturday evening session, and its a fun time to go, not as crowded as the Saturday daytime or the Friday evening sessions, but the casks do start to kick pretty quickly, and there were many options we didn't get a chance to try. I say that, but I've only ever tried 5 or 6 each time I go, there are just too many options.

A quick word about this year's program cover photo. I got a kick out of telling my kids about how much fun it was to see so many familiar faces of the volunteers, staff, and founders at the event. I was able to point out the woman who was tickled to see that my oldest had just turned 21 last time, reminisced a little about her own youth and then gave Alessia a few drink passes! What a sweetheart. One who I didn't see last night was George Gendron, one of the founders of NERAX, and the man on the program cover. George passed away a few years ago and is fondly remembered in a tribute within program. Thanks to George for all he's done for this great festival!

This year's exhibition dates were moved at the last minute due to some kind of scheduling problem, but we were informed in plenty of time, and our advance tickets were transferred over with no problems. However, that did mean that there were no food vendors this year at the exhibition, as they couldn't accommodate the late change in their schedules. We ended up bring a small box of snacks, which is typically not allowed. Thanks to the NERAX folks for allowing this, having a little food is great. As I normally do, I sampled quarter pints so that I'd have the opportunity to try a few things, and to be honest, I focused on the imports, given that my opportunities to try some of those ales without traveling is probably limited. All but one of the beers I sampled was from the UK.

There were close to 100 ales available this year

Dark Fruits Porter - Salem Brew Co., Wainfleet All Saints, England (ABV 4.4%) **

The first two beers I asked for were already kicked before the Saturday evening session started. The Dark Fruits Porter was my third choice, and it almost wasn't to be. They were able to get a quarter pint for me, and then maybe only one or two more before the cask kicked and the Reaper came out to erase it off the board, accompanied by a death knell, rung out on an empty keg. Bright black cherry on the nose, with notes of lemon lollipops. Dark, nut brown with a browned-butter colored, lacy head. Thin bodied, fruity and super smooth. There is a snappy brightness at first, smouldering to a soft, lasting bitterness. Reminded me of jam on toast!

Cross Borders Session Pale - Cold Black Label, Bridgend, Wales (ABV 4.2%) ***

Pale honey colored, with a light and wispy cream colored head. Citrusy fruit salad on the nose, which delivered in the initial taste. Full mouth flavor with a bready, sourdough finish and smooth mouth feel.

Beach Hut - Leigh On Sea Brewery, Leigh On Sea, Essex, England (ABV 4.5%)

Dried grass yellow with a frosty looking haze with a thin, wispy head like cirrus clouds and a fine ring of white foam at the glass edge. Slight funk with fruit juice on the nose, and notes of pineapple. Finely texture, creamy mouth feel, tropical fruits, and a dry, wheat cracker bitter finish. I like this one very much, and the next one I went for was from the same brewery.

Legra Pale - Leigh On Sea Brewery, Leigh On Sea, Essex, England (ABV 3.8%)

Blazing bright, warm yellow color with a fine bubbly, tatted top. Huge, juicy start. Clean, grapefruit pith astringency, and a crisp dry finish. I bragged about this one, and made a note that this would be a perfect house beer. Super drinkable and refreshing, with a low ABV so you could have a few throughout the day. Would be great for a winter party or a summer barbecue.

Sweet Stout - Well Drawn Brewing Co., Bedwas, Caerphilly, Wales (ABV 5.0%) ****

Deep brown-black that let no light pass with a caramel colored, bubbly froth. Brown bread and molasses on the nose. [All of the beers I've had so far are thin! This one too.] Rich dried fruits flavor. Prunes, maybe? Cherry cordial filled chocolate, like a Bon Ami. After after, slightly under ripe pears, with the skins still on. Long, creamy finish. There was a lot going on with this one. Dessert beer at its best.

Ishmael Ale - Rising Tide Brewery, Portland, Maine, USA (ABV 4.9%)

Call me Ishmael. The tasting notes indicate that this beer is a collaboration with New England Distillery Co. They rested the beer in American oak barrels, which had been used for a rye whisky, that was distilled from one of Rising Tide's rye based pale ales. Rich amber brown with a delicate head. Sweet, malty tones on the nose. Citrus juicy with red wine tannin and sweetness which evaporates to a dry, orange amaro bitterness. Sweet, clean burnt sugar finish. The whiskey aromas dance over the glass and on the palate. This was a great way to finish up for the evening!

 

Stefan & Alessia sampling the wares

* The first time I went to NERAX was in 2010. I just took a quick look at that post, from 13 years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I paid $15 to get in, and $5 glass deposit. Exactly the same as we paid last night! The quarter pint sample were pretty close to the same price to, if not the same. I didn't record that in 2010. What that means is that the sponsors of NERAX are stepping up to keep this longest running real ale exhibition in North America affordable for all of us.

** I think the tasting notes on this one may need some clarification. I found the Dark Fruits Porter by George Bateman and Son Ltd, Salem Bridge Brewery, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire. I think Salem Brew Co. is a subsidiary, or a brand/trade mark owned by Bateman. Bateman had their XXXB on tap for the festival as well.

*** Cold Black Label also appears to be the mother company to at least two beer labels: Brecon and Lithic. Brecon had their own three offerings, so perhaps this was a special cask for the festival. Note: Brecon's website just has a beautiful mountain scene splash page and no content, which you can find thru Cold Black Label's site.

**** Well Drawn doesn't seem to have their own website, altho I found some links to a facebook page, and a listing on Untappd, which actually includes some comments about their NERAX offering this year.

madame rose

Madame Rose - Belgian Style Wild Ale, by Goose Island Beer Co. of Chicago, IL, is not something that I would have gone out and purchased for myself, without knowing a little more about it, so I'm sharing my thoughts on this heady brew so that you'll feel more comfortable about picking up your own bottle.

And I think perhaps you should.

This fine bottle of oak aged wild ale was a gift of the fine folks out in Erving, MA on the occasion of my office's 20th anniversary party, held last week. Thanks to Barbara and Steve who came to help us celebrate, and carried this fine bottle (along with a nice book I'm looking forward to reading, complete with some bookmarks!)

Clicky-click on the picture of the label to expanderize mon frere! Its says that this is a 2016 release, wild ale, aged in wine barrels with cherries. Crazy, right? The rear label states that this was bottled a year ago, yesterday, and has an ABV of 6.7%, along with a suggestion to enjoy in a wide mouth glass (which we are), a warning that it contains wheat (good to know) and that it can be bottle-aged for up to 5 years (fat chance.) We all enjoyed a little of this here to end out the week, and the first sip was taken in a toast to Erving, and their successful town meeting on Wednesday night. Here are my thoughts on this beer:

Rich amber, honey color with a foamy, full, cream colored head. Active carbonation, that tickles the nose, similar to a natural sparkling water. The aromas are extremely bright: citrus, caramel, and jam, with background notes of the sea. The taste is very tangy; lemony in its intensity, lemon pith, steeped fruit, and tart syrupy quality. Smooth and sparkly on the tongue, but after further tastings, the carbonation drops off. The finish is long, slightly bitter and tart, with a soft oak and smoke taste that lingers pleasantly.

Update: After 15 or 20 minutes, after the oak and smoke fades, I was left with the taste of cherries. That deep, tannin laden taste of the red-black cherry skins. It just keeps on giving.

Thanks again to the folks in Erving, and congratulations to you all!

nerax north 2016

NERAX North is the smaller, quieter cousin of the original NERAX (New England Real Ale eXhibition.) The NERAX used to be held in Somerville, very close to where I worked, in Davis Square, at the Dilboy Post of the DAV. A few years after our office moved to Union Square, so did the NERAX; bouncing from the American Legion, which was convenient, to Aeronaut Brewery, more about them in a moment which was ridiculously-conveniently, next door. Then NERAX moved to somewhere in South Boston, and because it sometimes takes an hour to drive 5 miles from Somerville to South Boston during Friday Rush Hour, I gave up NERAX for lost.

The first time I attended NERAX North, was last year, and even though I did try some fine beers, and did take some notes as I normally do, AND had the pleasure of bringing my newly turned 21 daughter for the first time, I never put my notes into a blog post for some reason. Last year NERAX North was held at the Barking Dog Ale House, in Haverhill, where, I understand it had been held for a number of years. This year, we were at the Knights of Columbus on Washington Square, in Salem. I was again joined by my daughter; we sampled quarter pints in a room that was about half full, and sported a smaller number of beers (I think) than last year. There was food there, but we didn't try it, and I'm not sure who was catering. They had a number of dishes that you might see at a wedding buffet; things like chicken Marsala and rice pilaf. Looked good.

No lines, no waiting, so we didn't have time to pore over the program as I have done in the past, standing in line for an hour. We walked in and checked the board and Aeronaut was right up there near the top, as all of the nights samplings are noted alphabetically. Lets get to it!

Hop Hop and Away - Aeronaut Brewing Co., Somerville, Mass., USA (ABV 4.8%)
I've had a number of brews at Aeronaut, including some very early, experimental beers, that and the lower alcohol level was all it took to convince me to start here. I put my nose deep into this glass and it filled my head with aromatic fruit, Alessia said it first: Peaches. Peaches and the oil that squirts from the skin of red grapefruit. Pale, cloudy yellow with a wispy head that was gone after the first sip. The taste was crisp, and softly bitter, which left the mouth a lingering dry. The finish was super clean and bright with notes of chalk, stone, and minerals. Delicious, and a great way to start.

Robust Porter - Smuttynose Brewing Co., Hampton, NH, USA (ABV 6.2%)
Rich coffee brown color, with a syrupy, sticky consistency and a creamy, pale brown head. Molasses, wet tree bark and light leather on the nose. Dried fruits and fruit cake notes after a few more sniffs. This one is complex. Velvety mouth feel, eggnog, and that molasses comes through right away. A malty sweetness balances nicely with a background hop bitterness. Smoke lingers.

That - Teme Valley Brewery, Knightwick, Worcestershire, England (ABV 4.1%)
Pronounced TEM, I'm told. Sounds like Tim, with an E. "You wanna' try That?" the barkeep asks with a smile, "Lots of jokes about That, tonight," he adds when my smile isn't as large as he'd hoped. "Enjoy that," he ends, turning to help Alessia, who is still deciding. This one is very light on the nose, but what wafts up out of the glass is a yeasty stank, almost. Its so light, its not unpleasant but one gets the impression that some of those yeast strains weren't invited, they've just been in the brewery for 200 hundred years. But the first sip is surprising: I think its violets. Caramel yellow with a very light head, just a bit of creaminess from the carbonation. There is a nice balance of malt and hops, and a little basement aroma sourness. Hops are complex with a slight dark chocolate edge.

Reanu Keeves - Far From the Tree Cider, Salem, Mass., USA (ABV 5.5%)
We had to try it, just because of the name. Alessia asked for a sip, which we both tried. Alessia almost spit it out. I asked the barmaid to pour it out for us. It had an off smell, lemonade color, strong lemon flavor. Think Easy-Off (where are the apples?) After you swallow, whats left? Salt! I know, right?

Whammy Bar 2 - Clown Shoes Brewing, Burlington, Mass., USA (ABV 6.5%)
Pie! and berries on the nose. Alessia said blueberries when she smelled it, I'll buy that. Thin and light honey color, with a yellow, bubbly head. Malty and rich. Mint scented paste we used to use at the Lynnhurst Elementary school. Flavors dissipate on the palate with a clean, hop bitterness, and an herbal dry finish.
Green Beacons - Brecon Brewing, Brecon, Powys, Wales (ABV 4.3%)
Lightly carbonated, medium color pale ale. Slightly sour nose: feet and cranberries. Sharp, clean, and really dry. White, lacy head and tangy yeast on the back of the tongue. Tree fruit finish.

For Peat's Sake Imperial Stout - Paper City Brewey, Holyoke, Mass., USA (ABV 9.5%)
We had a fire in the yard last night, when I went out there this morning, it had rained and the fire pit had water in it. The coals were cool and soaked through... on the nose. Brown-black and leggy with a thin, bubbly head. Looks like the last sip of coke. Sweet, crusty smoked pork with lemon and rosemary, but just the crust. Burned caramel sweetness with the tang of burnt ends. You know that taste when you smoke a bunch of different things together, and then they all have a similar, nondescript flavor? Yeah, like that. Mild bitterness of hops is slayed by black smoke. Take this one in sips only, and maybe only after a rich meal when your palate has been tamped down and you need something to break through. Complex roasted fruits and vegetable notes. An interesting way to end the night.

nerax at aeronaut

Dan and Stew

The 18th annual NERAX (New England Real Ale eXhibition) was held this year at the brand new Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville, just a few doors down from my office. The guys at Aeronaut did a great job hosting, and I really think the festival fit perfectly with their community based business ideas they are fostering. Aeronaut will be open to the public and they have other vendors in their space with them, roasting coffee, making fresh foods, making chocolate, and organizing in indoor farmers market! This place is fantastic!

The guys and gals that run NERAX did another great job this year. The party started slowly on Friday, but by the time we had our fill and had to call it a night, the place was hopping. There were a lot of beers to try on Friday, and I went through the booklet they passed out while I was in line and made some marks next to ones I wanted to try. Sadly, a lot of those were gone, including BOTH Aeronaut offerings. I also noticed that on the American side, most of the casks came from the east coast--I saw one from California.  They also had two casks from Germany this year. I found plenty to tickle the taste buds; here what I tried:

Dark Age - Celtic Experience, Caerphilly, Wales (ABV 4.2%)
This dark ale was listed as mild, which must be a UK description, but it seemed apt. Thin, medium brown with a very light, foamy head. Sour mash nose. Dry and bitter with a slight Belgian basement tang, long bitter finish with chocolate, pith, yeast and leather notes. The clean, bitter taste hangs in the mouth until the next sip. A great way to start the night.

Duncan's IPA - Inveralmond Brewery, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland (ABV 4.4%)
This is one I put two stars on while waiting in line, and they had it. Beautiful, clear sunny gold color with an airy, bubbly head, that lasted until the last sip. Fresh caramel malt on the nose, with light bread and vegetable notes. Clean, dry and bitter with a pleasant pithy aftertaste. Dense hops profile, but quietly done. Nice.

Duncan's IPA quarter pint pour

Monk's Christkindl - Klosterbrauerei Weissenohe, Weissenohe, Germany (ABV 6.5%)
Malty, fruity and sweet smelling. Hazelnut brown, medium bodied boch, slightly cloudy with just the faintest skuds of suds on the surface and a few bubbles at the edge of the glass. Fruit cake, cherries, mollasses, and B&M Brown Bread! really on the nose. The body cleared as it rested. Burnt sugar, spice, Amaro, and bitter roots; super complex in the mouth. There is a bitter, sharpness just beyond the complexity that keeps this delicious holiday beer from being too sweet, but I couldn't figure it out.

Midnight - Monty's Brewery, Powys, Wales (ABV 4.0%)
This black-brown stout is rich with a creamy but thin head. Clean and light mouth feel, watery and deep. Dry, sticky, soft, almost powdery finish. Light smoke and espresso at the end.

Sunlander - Stonehouse, Oswestry, Shropshire, England (ABV 3.7%)
Pale yellow, bright and clear with a feathery, pale yellow head. Grapefruit citrus on teh nose. Sharp citrus attack, clean, bright hops and summery finish. Additional sips brought a coppery metallic taste. You know that flavor when you take a sip from a drinking fountain in a place you've never been, and discover that no one's used it in six months. Yeah, that; but in a good way. DOn't get the wrong idea, this beer was great.

Then there's this Twitter pic that NERAX had posted on their Facebook page. Yeah, that's me in the foreground, with the backs those two guys I was with. Their faces appear in the pic at the top of this post.

Looking back, I see that with all of the local beers, I stuck with Europe this year. Lots of the American beers I had flagged were kicked. See you next year!

Sadly, there is no 2013 post. I was sick.
Click here for my NERAX 2012 post
Click here for my NERAX 2011 post
Click here for my NERAX 2010 post

nerax

Friends, its NERAX time.

Here's the skinny:

NERAX 2013

March 20 - 23, 2013

Somerville American Legion Post 388

163 Glen Street

Somerville, MA 02145

Advance tickets available on line or at the door.

I'll be there on Friday, hope to see you there.

Not sure? Here's a little taste from my previous visits

2010

2011

2012

nerax 2012

Ah NERAX, old friend. We had a great time this year at NERAX! The new digs at the American Legion Hall down near Union Square were pretty nice. A little larger, not quite as crowded, and a little bit of parking to be had in the lot outside. Altho, come on Somerville, was there a special on one way street signs at the public works fair?

The New England Real Ale Exhibition celebrated its sweet 16 this year, and if you didn't get over there yesterday for one of the two Saturday sessions, you've missed it. I went over on Friday night after work and sampled a few of the ales. Prices were again the same as last year. $15 advance ticket same at the door but less waiting, for the first time with a $5 deposit for a glass. I grabbed my favorite 20 ounce Imperial Nonic glass, and sipped quarter pints. The glass is silkscreened with the NERAX logo on one side, and the Harpoon logo on the other, and marked for quarter and half pints along the side. Half pints were $2.00.

At 6:19, about 10 minutes after we got inside, some poor devil dropped his glass, with general shouts and groans of commiseration from the entire room. Oof, its a hard world brother. yeah, I wrote the time down in my notes, cuz I can.

NERAX reported on Friday night thusly: "You could walk right in to be greeted by 61 beers and ciders, 37 American and 24 British." Red Bones barbeque was also on hand with he sandwiches. I had the pulled pork. My notes are sketchier this year, as I was having a great time blabbing, but here are the beers I tried:

Summer Ale - Geary's, Portland, Maine (ABV 6%)
I went right for the Geary's when I saw it because I love their ale, and always had it when I stayed on the beach in Maine. I didn't like this one as much because of the wheat, which I'm not a fan of. It has a beautiful butterscotch gold color, a mild aroma and almost no head, just a few stray bubbles at the edge of the glass. An even bitterness and a sourdough bread dough hint wafting from deep in the glass as I drank. There was a clean, bitter finish that ended on that wheat taint that I'm not so fond of. One sip of Stew's first choice hurried me to the end so that I could try:

Finest Kind - Smuttynose, Portsmouth New Hampshire (ABV 6.9%)
I didn't recognize the name of this IPA, but a quick search made it clear that this is simply Smuttynose IPA. You know the one with the two old duffers on the label. DEEP grapefruity hoppiness on the nose, medium yellow color and a light, bubbly head. Mouth-filling, eye-popping citrus hops that smolder in the mouth for days. This beer is unfiltered, but was well settled when tapped. If there weren't so many more to try, I would have stopped right here.

Cwrw Tri - Cerddin Brewery, Bridgend, Wales (ABV 4.5%)
It was time to head over seas. I can write it, but I can't say it: Cwrw Tri has a bright, brown bread color and a thick, airy head with bread and cranberry aromas on the nose. I have to say, drinking quarter pints means lost of room in the glass for the nose. Medium body brew with bright fruity highlights, refreshing tangy caramel sweetness, and a super-clean finish with satisfying lingering of hop bitters and smoke. While I blabbed, I let the last sip sit in the glass and warm up. Not wanting to miss a drop, and drank it down and was surprised with pleasant coffee flavor. Nice trick!

Flagraiser IPA - Somerville Brewing Co. (Slumbrew), Somerville, Massachusetts (ABV 7.5%)
Good ol' Slumerville! This was the strongest ale I had Friday night. Flagraiser is dedicated to the January 1, 1776 raising of the flag on Prospect Hill, and is decidedly American: big and bold. Kickass hop bitterness of biting limeskins. Almost too much. Almost. I thought I'd had the citrusy hopped up beer of the night with the Smuttynose, but no. This one had a lasting bitterness in the mouth, but surprisingly balanced with a background maltiness.

Explorer - Adnams, Southwold, Suffolk, England (ABV 3.7%)
Fresh oranges on the nose! with eggy batter notes. A mouth-filling softness, that is both vibrant and taunt with slight bitterness. Very smooth. Tropical fruit flavors and a pale, blond, wispy head. I also got some tart watermelon flavor toward the end. Lots going on in this, my last brew of the evening! What a way to finish things; another great night at the NERAX.

Thanks to American Legion Post 388 for putting us up. See you all next year!

Click here for my NERAX 2011 post
Click here for my NERAX 2010 post

nerax date and location change

Headed to NERAX 2012?

Well, the original dates have changed, and so has the location.

NEW DATES for NERAX 2012

April 11 - 14, 2012

NEW LOCATION for NERAX 2012
AMERICAN LEGION HALL
Post 388
163 Glen Street
Somerville, MA 02145

Go to the NERAX site here, to see more of the details.

I got a message from Pam Phillips who said she was doing a search for folks who had postings abut NERAX and she came across ii. Pam helps out at NERAX; so thanks to Pam for keeping us in the loop!

From the NERAX site: "Post 388 has plenty of room for the festival. As it is a short walk from Sullivan Station on the Orange Line, there are several buses that stop nearby. There is also parking." Here's a map. I hope to see you there!

nerax 2011

Ah yes, good friends, its that time of year again: March has gone out like a lamb--then April came in like a Tasmanian devil--and its NERAX season! The New England Real Ale Exhibition celebrates its 15th year this year, and was once again held at the VFW Dilboy Post in Davis Square, Somerville. The VFW is working on getting a new hall built, and NERAX will eventually move there.

Smaller turn-out this year earlier on, which may have been due to the weather. It was raw, and a little nippy for standing in line this year, but the crowd picked up later and there was a line of folks waiting to get in when we left around 8:45. The exhibition runs Wednesday to Saturday, so the last session is going on right now. Prices to get in and for a glass deposit are the same as last year. $15 at the door with a $5 deposit for a glass. I took the 20 ounce Imperial Nonic glass, and drank quarter pint samples this year. They also had a 22 ounce snifter, silk screened with the NERAX logo for $10 (purchase only) for their 15th anniversary.

According to their website, 46 firkins of the expected exhibition total of 90 were on tap last night. Here's what I tried:

Shoals Pale Ale - Smuttynose, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (ABV 5.6%)
This was a great way to start. This beer is so much better than its bottled cousin, and that's why we do this cask conditioned thing, right? Beautiful, deep honey color with a fine, pale yellow and bubbly head that lasted until the last sip. Caramel nose, smooth, light, thin and hoppy. The hops were complex and balanced nice with the sweetness. The finish was clean, with a grapefruit or lime pith bitterness. This was one of the stronger beers I tried, and it was nice to start with one that I could compare to its mass produced version.

Cribyn - Brecon, Powys, Breconshire, Wales (ABV 4.5%)
Surprisingly stinky on the nose, but not the taste. This was the case with another beer last night according to a friend I was with. The smell was light, and so was the beer. Light wheat color with a thin head. The flavors came in waves: bread, yeast, and a malty smoothness and a strong hopped up finish.

Piston Porter - Oakleaf Brewery, Gosport, Hampshire, England (ABV 4.6%)
Molasses aroma, sticky mouth feel. Chocolate predominates. This porter was hoppy and dark, but balanced nicely with a malty sweetness. When it first hit my tongue, I was reminded of the taste of fresh snow. The finish was short and slightly bitter.

Whipper Snapper - Portsmouth Brewery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (ABV 4%)
Pale, grass colored beer. Grapefruit, spice and floral. Very expansive flavors with a slight bitterness. The head was thin, almost white and bubbly rather than foamy. This one was good.

Dilly Dally - Butternuts Beer & Ale, Garrattsville, New York (ABV 3.6%)
I started out with a strong one, and ended with a low alcohol beer. Caramel and cranberry aroma, fruit, wheat bread, malty and sweet, with almost no head and a smooth, toasted cracker finish. A very nice way to finish. I'm going to have to look these folks up.

Another fun night! Hope to see you next year!

nerax 2010

What? No books? That's right baby, all play and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.

Last night, three of us traipsed off to the 14th annual New England Real Ale Exhibition at the George Dilboy VFW Post #529, in Somerville, put on each year by CASC (Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign). This year, the four day exhibition has over 80 firkins of Real Ale, from England, Scotland, Wales, America, and one from Germany, which kicked before I got a chance to try it. All the beers are cask-conditioned, served by gravity or hand-pump, are naturally carbonated, and have live yeast in in the cask. The NERAX focuses on these Real Ales for the freshness and complexity of favors, and most are session beer with low alcohol content, so you can have a few without falling over.

Advanced tickets was the way to go. For other people. We waited in line. While in line, one of the organizers told us that the British Consul General came to the closed Brewer's Session earlier in the day, and made a speech, looking dapper in his perfect suit, and presumable tippled a bit himself. The guy who told us about it was pretty psyched.

It was $15 to get in this year and $5 for a glass deposit, which I surrendered upon leaving so I could take the glass with me. Its a 20-ounce Imperial (Nonic) pint glass, nicely screened with the NERAX logo, and marked for quarter and half pints along the side. I drank half pints of the ale I tried, although I didn't finish them all. Here's how it went for me:

Long Hammer IPA - Red Hook, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (ABV 6.5%)
You can get this ale in a bottle, and even on tap, even on tap at Cataqua Public House--which is in the Portsmouth brewery!--and it doesn't taste this good. (The Pub also serves a couple of cask conditioned brews, but Long Hammer was not on the offing when I was there.) Clean and citrusy on the nose, light and slightly cloudy in color, with a thin, wispy head, grapefruit start, light carbonation, wet and full mouthfeel, lingering bitter hop finish. Not as good as two years ago, but a great start for the night.

Old Engine Oil - Harviestoun, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland (ABV 4.5%)
Strong molases aroma with yeasty background, light bitterness, smokey chocolate hops with hints of leather. Weak flavors overall, with a slight sourness, thin, airy head which left the glass very clean, strong brown-black color, and a fast finish.

Bargee - Elland Brewery, Elland, West Yorkshire, England (ABV 3.8%)
Powerful rising bread smell, sourdough bread flavor, thin, frothy head, creamy mouthfeel, amber color, slightly cloudy. All-in-all, not my favorite. I think the sourness was too much for me, it was a little like eating raw bread dough. I didn't finish this one.

Black Fly Stout - Gritty McDuff's, Portland, Maine (ABV 4.8%)
Scents of snow, malty, full and flavorful, light smokiness, brown-black color with a thin head that completely evaporated as it sat in my pocket while we chatted, I didn't love this beer, but I finished it. It had warmed in my pocket, and it was good warm, earthy, roasted finish.

Red Tuft - Sixpoint Brewing, Brooklyn, New York (ABV 5.0%)
Light aroma, crisp ESB snap with grapefruit skin bitterness, light hops, lemon highlights, very clean, very low carbonation, almost no head, refreshing, grapefruit finish. A nice way to end the night.

It was a fun night! If you didn't make it, you can still get over there today. Its five bucks cheaper and it runs from 12 to 7. NERAX North is this fall in Haverhill. Cheers!