Get real…for real? Yeah, really: real ale is here. Next week the New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX) is coming to Somerville for its 13th festival. From Wednesday the 25th to Saturday the 28th, real ales from the UK and New England will be on display and on tap at the George Dilboy Post (the VFW) in Davis Square, Somerville. Half the beers will be brewed in the UK and the other half mostly in New England with a few from afar. The festival benefits the VFW as well as the campaign for real ale.
So what is this so-called “real ale”? This style of brewing is known to be primarily a British style, though the folks at the Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) are working to change that. What makes real ale different from the stuff you usually get in bars is that its secondary fermentation takes place in the container from which it is served. This is often a cask but could also be bottles, especially in the case of home brewers. Also, it is served without the aid of carbon dioxide. In other words, it is poured with gravity from the tap or a hand pump or similar device. Real ale is not pasteurized or filtered: it is alive! And it is usually served at the same temperature as the cellar.
As for the beer itself, CASC says “Lovers of cask-conditioned beers enjoy the broader range of flavors that result from the clear, naturally carbonated ale served at cellar temperatures. There is less gassiness, less head on the beer, more beer in a glass!” Check out the CASC website for more information on real ale. Find out more about CASC on their website also. The UK also has a strong group working to educate people about real ale. Check out the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) website.
Now that your curiosity is piqued and you want to try some real ale, let’s have a look at who is coming to the festival. As of March 17th there are nearly 40 American brewers attending NERAX this year. Several of them are bringing more than one beer with them. There are 12 brewers from the UK presently signed up, almost all bringing two or more casks with along. A few American highlights include:
Berkshire Brewing, bringing Lost Sailor IPA
Clipper City Brewing, bringing Holy Sheet and Loose Cannon
Gritty McDuffs, bringing Best Bitter
Mayflower Brewing, bringing Golden Ale and Oak Aged Porter
Smuttynose Brewing, bringing Star Island Single
And of course, much, much more. In fact, one added bonus is the Redbones sandwiches available to buy. Come try some real ale Wednesday through Saturday next week. You may never go back.
Wednesday, $10, 6 - 10:30pm
Thursday, $15, 6 - 10:30pm
Friday, $15, 6 - 10:30pm
Saturday, $5, 12 - 7pm
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