There’s always been a close relationship between the brewing industry and the railways. It was the development and rapid expansion of the railways in the mid-19th century that helped the brewing industry to expand as it became easier to transport beer to all parts of the country which, in turn, boosted demand and production. It therefore came as no surprise that breweries got in the habit of naming their beers in tribute to the railways that made their nationwide industry possible.
Of the beers produced in the UK that have been named or inspired by the railways, some are regulars, such as Little Sharpie (3.8% ABV), an award-winning golden ale produced by Humpty Dumpty Brewery or are seasonal specials, such as Going Loco (3.9% ABV) by Tring Brewery (only sold in January and February). Some breweries have named their entire range (or a large part of it) after the railways. For example, the Beer Engine, a microbrewery based in Newton St Cyres in Devon, has a number of railway-themed beers including Piston Bitter (4.3% ABV), Sleeper Heavy (5.4% ABV), Golden Arrow (4.5% ABV), Luggage Porter (4.4% ABV) and Pullman’s Progress (4.2% ABV). The Bewdley Brewery, based near the River Severn, has named several beers after classic locomotives of the steam age, including 2857 (5% ABV), Sir Keith Park (4.3% ABV) and Jubilee Ale (4.5% ABV).
Occasionally, breweries have been commissioned by railway companies, museums and heritage railways to produce limited edition beers to be sold exclusively at their premises. For example, Hop on Board (4% ABV), from Rudgate Brewery, was originally brewed for Virgin Trains’ east coast services and is only sold on LNER trains (who took over from Virgin several years ago). The National Railway Museum in York sells two beers in their shop, Flying Scotsman (3.8% ABV) and Mallard (4% ABV), which are both brewed by Half Moon Brewery of Ellerton, Yorkshire. The Swanage Railway, a heritage railway based in the Isle of Purbeck, exclusively sells the eponymous Swanage Railway Ales (3.6% ABV), a blonde ale produced by Hobsons Brewery of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire.
Sometimes, breweries based near railway land have named their beers in tribute to the nearby industry. Five Points Brewery in Hackney is based near the Lea Valley lines and they produce Railway Porter (4.8% ABV) a smoky porter that is reminiscent of the steam hauled locomotives that used to traverse the very same rail routes a century before. The Hartlebury Brewing Co, based in a former yard at Hartlebury station near Kidderminster, have produced a number of railway influenced beers including Off the Rails (4.2% ABV) and the much missed Old Rusty (3.8% ABV).
Rail themed beers are not however limited to the UK. In the USA, Canada, Brazil and Poland there are beers inspired by railroads such as Hooscac Tunnel (6.3% ABV) and Steel Rail (5.3% ABV), which are produced by the Berkshire Brewing Co of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, or the curiously named Rail Ale Nut Brown (5% ABV), produced by Howe Sound Brewery from Squamish in British Columbia, Canada.
Today, in the UK, there is a vast number of railway themed beers currently available in cask, mini-keg, can or bottle that pay tribute to various aspects of our extensive railway heritage. So, the next time you’re on a long-distance train service or visiting a heritage railway for the day, take the opportunity of sampling some rail ale.
Mike Goldwater