What is CASC?
The Cask-conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) was formed in 1997.
We are a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(4) - not for profit organization with the purpose of promoting and educating breweries, beer serving establishments, and the public about the brewing, cellaring, serving, and characteristics of real ale in the New England region.
About Our Festivals
CASC presents our annual New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX) in the Spring and hosts smaller events around New England when possible. The NERAX festival features experiencing cask-conditioned beer and ciders brewed mostly from the UK and US in a laid back, friendly atmosphere.
Proceeds from each event are invested in maintaining and upgrading our equipment, educating the public and brewing community, and generating the proceeds for the next event.
Cellarman Training Scholarships
Every year, CASC sponsors a scholarship for cellarmanship training.
Cellarmanship is the art of caring for and presenting cask-conditioned beers. The training consists of an overview of cask-conditioned beers including the history, benefits, and artisan nature of Real Ale. It will also teach the trainee how cask-conditioned beer is made and placed into the cask. The trainee will learn how to properly cellar it, set it up, vent it, tap it and finally serve it. Along the way the trainee will be taught the skills needed to know when the cask-conditioned beer is ready to serve as well as if it is fit to serve. This training is done for the entire week during our festival.
