Connecticut Real Ale Fest

[newportstorm]

Did anybody else check this out yesterday? I made the two hour drive from RI and am glad I did. Held at BruRm @ Bar in New Haven, this was one of the better events I've been to in a while. Nearly two dozen brewers & importers serving nothing but Real Ale! Grab a couple slices of thin-crust brick oven pizza (included with admission) to keep you on your feet. Just a few casks that were there:

-Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine
-Heavyweight Perkuno's Hammer Imperial Porter
-Magic Hat Thumbsucker Imperial Stout (aged in Wild Turkey barrels - WoooHaaaa!)
-Middle Ages Wailing Wench Double IPA & Dragonslayer Impy Stout
-Troutbrook (CT) Old Marley Barleywine
-Adnams Bitter & Broadside - for you Brits :p
-Southhampton Publick House Winter Warmer
-BruRm's own house creations including an English Mild (tasty), Espresso Stout, Barleywine and a Small Beer made from the second runnings of the Barleywine
- And the list goes on and on

If you are within 1-2 hours of New Haven, CT, consider checking out this event next winter. Definitely worth it. Cheers!

[threecb]

I was very tempted to make the drive (about 2.5 hrs), but decided not to. Seems I missed a good time!

[kgaugler]

Hey newportstorm, next time you know of something like this coming up, please let me know before the event...I'm only a few miles north of you in East Providence. I had nothing to do this weekend (no Pats until this Sunday) and would have gone. Only problem is I seem to be out of touch alot and didn't know of it until your post.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by kgaugler
Hey newportstorm, next time you know of something like this coming up, please let me know before the event...I'm only a few miles north of you in East Providence. I had nothing to do this weekend (no Pats until this Sunday) and would have gone. Only problem is I seem to be out of touch alot and didn't know of it until your post.

I remember throwing a shout-out a week or two before the event - maybe in a different forum. I think 'threecb' replied he was considering it. Sorry, if you missed it man. Good time. There'll be other events, though. And now I know of someone other than me from RI who hangs here (add my name/vote to the idea for a location tag below your username - very helpful!)

Cheers!

[kgaugler]

You probably did newport. I've only actually been on this forum for about a week. I will watch for other posts. btw, what LHBS do you use in Newport?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by kgaugler
You probably did newport. I've only actually been on this forum for about a week. I will watch for other posts. btw, what LHBS do you use in Newport?

Actually, I live in Bristol - just representing the local brew with my name. And I don't homebrew...yet. I have Charlie Papazian's book and have read about half of it. Just haven't gotten around to getting serious - I'm such a procrastinator. I hear there is a new homebrew shop in Seekonk somewhere; that is, if you are looking for a new place.

Cheers!

[kgaugler]

That would be Hoppy Brewer. That is where I go. They are quite helpful and almost always have a nice brew to try that someone has brought in. Sometimes I feel bad cause I keg and don't generally have a brew for them to try.

[hops99]

As a former nutmegger myself, I think it's a shame Hammer and Nail in Watertown went under a year or so ago; they made some great stuff, especially their Scotch Ale.

I'm sure the festival was great, though. This is what we need more of IMO - winter festivals, when we have more time on our hands...

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by hops99
As a former nutmegger myself, I think it's a shame Hammer and Nail in Watertown went under a year or so ago; they made some great stuff, especially their Scotch Ale.

I'm sure the festival was great, though. This is what we need more of IMO - winter festivals, when we have more time on our hands...

I never had the pleasure to sample any Hammer & Nail brews, but I hear fond memories from many in CT. I was surprised by BruRm's beers - English Mild, Espresso Stout, Bunghammer Barleywine & it's little brother Baby Bung (small beer) were all tasty! And Troutbrook/Thomas Hooker has been churning out some brews to critical acclaim - Imperial Porter, Barleywine & a soon to be released (March?) Doppelbock.

I agree about the winter festivals - love 'em. I've been to them on back to back weekends now. Now the SuperBowl next weekend. Will the beer ever stop flowing? Let's hope not!

Cheers!