JENNIFER GUSTAVSON | The second annual Long Island Nano Cask Festival is set for Saturday.

Have you ever heard of Blind Bat Mild or German style Ryes-N-Bock? How about Barrage Brewing Company’s vanilla oatmeal & raisin stout?
They are all beers made by Long Island “nano” breweries. Those recipes and more will be available to try at the second annual Long Island Nano Cask Festival Saturday. The event will be held at DEKS American Restaurant in downtown Rocky Point.

The now yearly festival was started last January by Rocky Point Artisan Brewers, a local nano brewing company, meaning it uses seven barrels or less to produce homemade beer.

Rocky Point Artisan Brewers co-founder Donavan Hall said his group will feature two cask ales: a porter and a special Belgium blend.

“We’re bringing small breweries together and would like people in our community to try new things and support the local brewers,” he said.

Dean Scott, co-owner of his family’s restaurant, DEKS, called the event “the grassroots of Long Island beer brewing.”

“We’re very excited,” he said. “This will feature the very small guys that handcraft these beers.”

For Saturday’s festival, the Rocky Point Artisan Brewers will team-up with beer clubs Brewer’s East End Revival and Long Island Beer & Malt Enthusiasts, which the Rocky Point Artisan Brewers helped create. Local nano brewers will be featuring different ales, including:

• Blind Bat Brewery of Centerport, featuring its Blind Bat Mild.

• Barrier Brewing Company of Oceanside, featuring its Barrier Extra Special Bitter.

• Barrage Brewing Company of Freeport, featuring its Barrage Vanilla Oatmeal & Raisin Stout.

• Port Jeff Brewing Company of Port Jefferson, featuring its German style Ryes-N-Bock.

Mr. Scott said not only will visitors be able to sample these and other handmade ales, but they will learn about the brewing process.

“This is where you’ll find brewing tips and learn how to tweak your own craft,” Mr. Scott said.

Tickets cost $40 per person and include unlimited sampling, as well as a commemorative half-pint nonic glass, which is an English style glass used to drink ale. All designated drivers will be allowed to attend the event, which will run from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, free of charge.  Food will be served for an additional charge.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.deksrestaurant.com, in person by visiting DEKS, located at 605 Route 25A, or by calling 631-821-0066. For more information, visit rpabbeer.com.

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