2beerguys beer blog

Event Recap: Nerax North 2010 – Cask Event (MA)

Poured from a Firkin
by Sean Jansen

On Thursday November 11, I was a volunteer at the 4th annual Nerax North festival hosted by the Haverhill Tap and Brewpub. Nerax, which stands for The New England Real Ale Exhibition, is one of the longest running CASK organizations in America. Starting in 1997 with the spring Festival in Boston, Nerax has expanded to three festivals a year. Nerax North and Nerax at Novare Res are smaller in size, while still offering a great selection of European and American Cask Ales. The spring sessions typically have 80-100 cask ales, while the satalite sessions have about 40-45 cask ales.

Definition: Cask Ales (from wikipedia)
Cask ale or cask-conditioned beer is the term for unfiltered and unpasteurised beer which is conditioned (including secondary fermentation) and served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. Cask ale may also be referred to as real ale, a term coined by the Campaign for Real Ale, often now extended to cover bottle-conditioned beer as well.

Cask Beer is different. Typically it is served at room temperature, which is a bit warmer than most Americans are used to drinking. Also, the beer is fermented in the firkin which it is served from. When served, it is hand pumped or poured from a gravity driven spout. These difference create a unique drinking expereience. Many people are initially turned off by Cask Ales, including myself, but I have grown to love it. The flavors of the beer are very unique and sometimes strengthened by this serving method.

I attended the first session of three, which spanned over three days. I was assigned the job of a steward during the session and was responsible for cleanliness and crowd control. Although it was rather busy, I had a very easy night. The attendies were more into the beer than trying to create a ruccus – lucky for me. The best part of the evening was trying the amazing selection of cask beers and talking with my beer friends.

If you are interested in beer, I strongly recommend volunteering for a local beer event. Event organizers are always looking for energetic people to assist as pourers, stewards, ticket takers and other type jobs. There are perks for being a volunteer, such as free samples, free food, and sometimes entrance to a seperate session.

CASC has an open membership consisting of professional brewers, publicans, home brewers, and beer lovers who volunteer their time to plan and execute real ale events. Proceeds from each event are invested in maintaining and upgrading our equipment, educating the public, and starting the next event.

I love to Volunteer because it is the best way to learn the ins and out of the beer world. I hope to see you at the Nerax in the Spring.

Have you ever really loved a FIRKIN? Come to Nerax and you might find your long lost love!

Enjoy

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Tap a Firkin, You’ll Love it!!

ABOUT CASC
CASC (the Cask-conditioned Ale Support Campaign) was formed in the spring of 1997 to promote real ale festivals in the Boston area. It was established to promote and educate brewers, publicans, and the public about the brewing, distribution, and pleasures of real ale. We are dedicated to the sensible enjoyment of top-fermented, traditionally brewed ales that undergo a secondary fermentation in the vessel from which they are served. CASC is a group of like-minded individuals who seek to expand the awareness of producers, distributors, and consumers about the use of traditional ingredients in, and dispensing of, real ales.

For additional information about NERAX, please visit: http://www.nerax.org/
For additional information about cask ales in the UK, please visit: http://www.camra.org.uk/

About Haverhill Tap and Brewpub:

Visit the Haverhill Tap Brewpub for great food, freshly brewed beer in Haverhill historic district. The restaurant and brewery is located in the heart of the shoe manufacturing district at the former J.M.Hickey’s Shoe & Leather Exchange. The Haverhill tap has some local favories in bottles and on draft, such as Leatherlips, HaverAle, Whittier White, and Homerun APA. Head Brewer Jon Curtis is always pushing the limites with new amazing beers. Some of the newer creations include Joshua Norton Imperial Stout, Snowbound Old Ale, the 2010 GABF Gold award winning GestAlt (German-Style Altbier) and 2010 Silver medal Annie Schwarz (German-Style Schwarzbier) – just to name a few…  http://www.tapbrewpub.com/

About Novare Res:

Novare Res is a Bier Café inspired by many people, places and experiences. Novare Res means “to start a revolution” in Latin, and was chosen after repeated discussions with people of all walks of life who have felt the need for a revolution in some form or another. We all wanted a place where people could commune and conceive of a better future, with passion and determination. After spending time abroad tracking down great fermented beverages in places like Japan, U.K., Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Germany, and working in other highly regarded beer bars, we discovered an avenue in which to bring that hope and inspiration to life in a tangible way. Though we are not overthrowing any governments or wielding any pitchforks, we hope to bring a new perspective to at least one of your senses…

Location: 4 Canal Plaza, Portland Maine.  http://novareresbiercafe.com/