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.

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. The main events have been the annual New England Real Ale Exhibitions featuring open tastings of real ales collected from the UK and the US.

In addition to real ale tastings, the festival has included educational sessions, a cellaring workshop, and a full day brewer's symposium featuring experts from Britain and the US explaining the technology used to produce fine real ales. This outreach is crucial for the spread of cask-conditioned ales in our area.