The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society will host the 11th annual Real Ale Harvest Fest on Sept. 12, 2026.

Real Ale Fest 2026 logo. Courtesy image

By Ronni Newton

The chance to sample some unique beverages – one-of-a-kind casks of ale brewed with at least one “historical” ingredient – returns to West Hartford on Sept. 12, 2026.

The Noah Webster House will again host its “Real Ale Beer Festival & Cask Challenge.” Now in its 11th year, brewers from throughout the region will create unique, one-off casks of real ale, with a critical requirement that they “shall incorporate an ingredient that may have been available from Noah Webster’s 18th-century garden or pantry.” The list includes more than 100 ingredients – including currants, honey, hyssop, blueberries, cinnamon, and nutmeg – that the brewers will hope make their concoctions appealing to guests, who will vote for their favorites with the “Tasters’ Choice” trophy as the coveted prize.

The trophy, which is being shipped over from Sheffield, England, will be awarded at the conclusion of the event. A panel of judges will also choose the “Cask Champion 2026.” Votes will be tabulated by the accounting team at ClarkHirth CPAs.

Pewter tankard trophies are awarded to the Tasters’ Choice and Cask Champions. Courtesy photo

This year there will be a single session, from 1-4 p.m., and advance purchase of tickets ($45 per person for general admission and $40 for museum members, plus processing fees) is highly recommended.

The Real Ale Fest is a chance to drink beer – including beers that you won’t find anywhere else – while supporting history. Real ale, organizers state, “is a traditional cask-conditioned ale popular in the time of Founding Father and lexicographer Noah Webster. Undergoing a second fermentation in the cask it will be served from, the entries are always unique and delicious – with complex and satisfying depth. It is beer you won’t find anywhere else!”

Most of the brewers who are competing for the challenge also offer a selection of their traditional beers, satisfying the taste buds of those who are not quite so adventurous.

There are 20 Connecticut-based breweries participating this year, including Back East Brewing (Bloomfield), 2nd Bridge Brewing (Manchester), OEC (Oxford), Dead Language Beer Project (Hartford), Willimantic Brewing Company (Willimantic), Nod Hill Brewing (Ridgefield), Brewery Legitimus (New Hartford), VUE Brewing (Southington), Plourd’s Brewing (East Hartford), Counterweight Brewing (Cheshire), Watson Farmhouse (Southbury), New England Brewing Company (Branford), Twelve Percent Beer Project (North Haven), Transcend Beer Crafters (Plainville), The Factory Brewing Collective (Bristol), and the Thomas Hooker Brewery (Bloomfield). In addition, Dragonfire Meadery (Coventry), Quiver Spirits (East Hartford), and Litchfield Distillery.will also offer selections at the Real Ale Fest.

Courtesy image

Held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, 227 South Main Street in West Hartford, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the museum, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Historical tavern games will also be set up for guests to play while they sip their brews, and there will be live music from Martin Piggot and food available for purchase from the Salt & Pepper Catering truck.

“Please drink responsibly. There will be a drop-off landing located on South Main Street, directly in front of the museum for Uber, Lyft, and designated drivers to utilize,” organizers said.

The drop-off landing is sponsored by event supporter Keating Agency Insurance. The Noah Webster House also appreciates the support of sponsor ClarkHirth, CPAs, and gives special thanks for the graphic design work by Gariphic Design, and to all of the participating brewers.

Designated drivers will be issued a “DD Badge” at the door upon arrival. Guests must be 21 with and show proper ID, and no pets are allowed.

Previous Real Ale Fest at the Noah Webster House. Courtesy photo

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