The following is final list of the American casks to be served at this year's NERAX. These beers are now in the hall getting ready for your enjoyment.

Note that all casks will not be available at every session. To enhance your enjoyment, a beer will only be served when it has the correct clarity and carbonation level. Beers will drop bright at different rates due to a wide range of factors. Venting times to adjust the carbonation levels also vary. Thus some cask ales will be ready to serve before others and thus some casks as listed as being on the stillage will not served in some sessions.

As the festival goes on, we will try to indicate which beers will be available each session. However note that this information will usually be available just before the start of the session, as that is when the cellaring team decides whether a beer is in proper condition to be served. However beers listed as pouring were available at the previous session are expected to be available at the next session.

Note that all of the following beer descriptions are based on information supplied by the breweries.

Last Updated: November 9, 2008, 12:24 am

Andrews Brewing (Lincolnville, ME) - Andrews English Pale Ale — Still pouring at end

Has a moderate hop aroma with a medium malt aroma, often with a low to moderately strong caramel component and earthy tones. Medium-low to medium-high fruity esters. Deep copper in color with good to brilliant clarity and a low to moderate white to off-white head. Has a medium bitterness with supporting malt flavors evident. This ale has a medium-full body and finishes dry to medium-dry.

ABV: 4.8%    OG: 1052   

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) (Boston, MA) - ESB — Still pouring at end

Brewed with traditional British floor malted Maris Otter malt and whole Fuggles and East Kent Golding hops from this year's hop selection, this beer boasts intensity and finesse. Young, fresh, vibrant, it's biscuit and toast character are accented by the orange fruit and earthy hop character for a clean, drinkable ale.

ABV: 6.2%    

Cask on: Friday    —     Cask kicked:

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) (Boston, MA) - Kingston Black Cider — Still pouring at end

A single variety cider, Kingston Black is balanced toward warm spice, earthiness, and green apple with big acidity and a lean finish. Unfiltered and unsweetened, this cider is a reflection of their New England heritage and their Herefordshire relationships and won the Bronze medal at this year's Herefordshire International Cider Competition for single variety ciders.

ABV: 7.1%    IBU: 0

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Gritty McDuff's (Portland, ME) - Best Bitter

Best Bitter is a copper-hued and well-balanced ale with real old world integrity. They use fine Yakima Golding hop flowers in the brewing of this beer for a fine dry finish that compliments the malty palate. Also dry hopped with Goldings.

ABV: 5.0%    OG: 1050   IBU: 25

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Gritty McDuff's (Portland, ME) - Christmas Ale — Still pouring at end

Gritty's Christmas Ale is a robust Extra Special Bitter. This brew has a lovely, dark red/amber color and a rich, full-bodied, malty taste with a slightly roasted undertone. Contains English Pale and Crystal Malts with a touch of Roasted Barley as well. A blend of Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Yakima Goldings leaf hops round out this hearty brew. Gritty's Christmas Ale has no additives, fruits or spices. It's just a good honest ale, perfect for the season. This cask was also dry hopped with Goldings hops.

ABV: 6.2%    OG: 1064   IBU: 28

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Lowell Beerworks (Lowell, MA) - Bullfinch British Pale Ale — Still pouring at end

A classic British-style pub draught. Dry hopped with Kent Goldings, this light copper ale is medium bodied and very creamy.

ABV: 4.0%    

Cask on: Friday    —     Cask kicked:

Marshall Wharf (Belfast, ME) - Cant Dog Imperial IPA

A malt and hops monster. Hopped and hopped and hopped

ABV: 10.5%    

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked: Saturday

Martha's Exchange (Nashua, NH) - Golden Perch India Pale Ale — Still pouring at end

There is an excess of hop flavor, aroma, and bitterness, balanced by a strong malt foundation and higher alcohol than a normal pale ale. The Centennial hop is the featured brand among 4 varieties. 'Hopheads' will enjoy this one.

ABV: 6.3%    

Cask on: Friday    —     Cask kicked:

Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing (North Conway, NH) - Square Tail Stout

A foreign-style stout invitingly smooth, clean, and full-bodied. Roasted barley plays the starring role.

ABV: 5.8%    

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked: Saturday

Redhook (Portsmouth, NH) - Double Black Stout — Still pouring at end

Double Black Stout is a smooth, Imperial stout enhanced by the addition of rich, flavourful Starbuck's coffee and dark malts to create a big, roasted flavour. Redhook brewers recommend pairing the strongly malted beer with grilled beef or dark chocolate and strawberries to enhance its decadent undertones.

ABV: 7.0%    OG: 1070   IBU: 47

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Run of the Mill (Saco, ME) - Ex-Wife Extra Bitter — Still pouring at end

A classic English ESB. Pale, brown and black malts provide a sweet, roasted character that is balanced by generous additions of East Kent Goldings and Fuggles hops.

OG: 1061   IBU: 62

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

Smuttynose Brewing (Portsmouth, NH) - Robust Porter — Still pouring at end

A hearty, mahogany colored ale is brewed to evoke the dark, full-bodied ales that were a favorite of dockworkers and warehousemen (hence the name "Porter") in 19th century London. This is a smooth and very drinkable beer, characterized by its well-balanced malt and hops, plus subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.

ABV: 5.7%    OG: 1064   IBU: 15

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

The TAP (Haverhill, MA) - Joshua Norton Imperial Stout — Still pouring at end

This deliciously smooth Imperial Stout is brewed with the finest English malt, three types of dark malts, and some smoked malt to give it a hint of smokiness. It has a rich complex flavor accentuated with American Cascade hops. It was aged for four months to make it incredibly smooth and drinkable. It's also named after the former Emperor of the United States (look it up!).

ABV: 9.3%    OG: 1093   IBU: 67

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked:

The TAP (Haverhill, MA) - Swanny Boy Brown Porter — Still pouring at end

This Brown Porter is brewed using English Maris Otter malts and traditional brown malts, and is nicely balanced with English Fuggles hops. It was fermented with a London Ale yeast accentuating the malt flavors.

ABV: 5.0%    OG: 1050   IBU: 23

Cask on: Thursday    —     Cask kicked: