Railway Related Beer Festivals

[Thebaz]

I came to the realisation recently that I have never properly combined my two passions - railways and beer. So in the spirit of resolving this issue, what do forum members think is their favourite railways related beer festival and why?

 

[306024]

Historically it has to be Chappel Beer Festival (September) at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel and Wakes Colne on the Marks Tey - Sudbury branch. Remember talking to a Swedish couple once who contacted CAMRA for a suggestion, and on their advice had travelled from Malmo to be there. Covid has seen it scaled back quite a bit, but the atmosphere at sunset is somehow special.

The Spa Valley, Keighley and Worth Valley and North Norfolk Railway are all ones I’ve tried and enjoyed, and recently Barrow Hill last month. Why? Well as you say it combines two interests perfectly.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Crewe Rail Ale Festival would be just the ticket!
16-18 September 2022 at the Crewe Heritage Centre.

Crewe Rail Ale Festival | Crewe Heritage Centre

Join the South Cheshire branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) here at the Crewe Heritage Centre for their 10th annual Crewe Rail Ale Festival, featuring over 50 Cask Ales and Real Ciders served directly from the cask. Fun for all the family, dogs welcome, no need for advanced tickets, a very easy

www.crewehc.co.uk

 

[Doctor Fegg]

It's not specifically railway-related, but the Charlbury Beer Festival (25th June this year) is literally over the road from Charlbury station on the cricket pitch, and you can wave at the IETs going by: https://www.charlburybeerfestival.org . There's usually a good number of visitors arriving by train from Oxford and often further afield.

 

[Howardh]

The Trackside at Bury (East Lancs Railway) surely must have a real-ale festival at some stage? In the past - thinking pre-covid - they ran special real-ale trains up and down the lines. However there's nothing planned currently on their "events" page. I think Trackside closed for a while but has reopened.

 

[GusB]

If there hasn't already been some sort of event there, a beer festival at the Strathspey would probably be quite good. There's the nearby Cairngorm Brewery, and a fair amount of other "local" breweries too.

 

[Jimini]

Reading beer festival used to be a cracking one, and offered views of the GWML to the south of the park as well, but alas it’s been cancelled again this year. Last one was in 2019

 

[Thebaz]

Historically it has to be Chappel Beer Festival (September) at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel and Wakes Colne on the Marks Tey - Sudbury branch. Remember talking to a Swedish couple once who contacted CAMRA for a suggestion, and on their advice had travelled from Malmo to be there. Covid has seen it scaled back quite a bit, but the atmosphere at sunset is somehow special.

The Spa Valley, Keighley and Worth Valley and North Norfolk Railway are all ones I’ve tried and enjoyed, and recently Barrow Hill last month. Why? Well as you say it combines two interests perfectly.

Ah yes, one of my homebrewing friends has suggested this one (Chappel) - Good to see it confirmed. Also heard good things about Spa Valley one too.

 

[D6968]

Bridgnorth’s not a bad beer fest, tends to be supported by the better pubs in the town.
Not a beer fest as such but Ludlow brewery’s tap room in the old goods shed there’s decent.
If In Cambridge I’d also recommend Calverley’s brewery, right next to the carriage sidings and 12 taps on, bit of a beer festival there Tuesday to Saturday.