If any one single event should be used to accurately evidence the recent BOOM-BAM and subsequent expansion of craft beer throughout Long Island, Saturday’s 2011 Nano Cask Ale Festival at DEKS American Restaurant in Rocky Point is that ish. With five nanobreweries?Barrier Brewing Company, Barrage Brewing Company, Blind Bat Brewery, Port Jefferson Brewing Company and event organizers Rocky Point Artisan Brewers?and two homebrew collectives?Brewer’s East End Revival (B.E.E.R.) and Long Island Beer & Malt Enthusiasts (LIBME)?servin’ up good spirits and smiles to thirsty-throat attendees, the festival’s second year (Rocky Point Artisan hosted the inaugural session) was an afternoon of solid hand-crafted offerings and exceeded expectations?the latter referring to ticket sales, with reports of “well over one hundred” sold between pre-sale and day of event walk-ups.

Both the success in box office and the young age of the five participating nanobreweries (Barrage Brewing Company and Port Jefferson Brewing Company are set to officially launch later in 2011, while only Barrier Brewing Company and Blind Bat Brewery currently distribute their product for sale) are evidence that, at least for right now, there is a growing audience for Long Island craft beer.

And growth tastes good.

Super Neat Beer Adventure, Yes!! Nano Cask Ale Favorites:

– Incoherent Idiot, an American Barleywine from LIBME member Adam Crockett

– McLaughlin’s Folly, an oatmeal raisin stout with vanilla bean from debuting Barrage Brewing Company

[Super Neat’s interview with Barrage Brewing Company founder Steve Pominski can be read here]

Here are some photographs from the event. Special thanks to Stacey for operating the Super Neat camera!