A special partnership has been forged in Staffordshire's
Rhineland to create the world's longest beer festival.
Churnet Valley Railway has joined forces with Titanic Brewery
and the pubs of the valley to launch a very different sort of beer
festival which will offer over 40 real ales and ciders from the
bars of three stations, two trains and four pubs along the five
miles of the valley.
Two trains will be operating a continuous service on Saturday
July 23 and Sunday July 24 from 10.30am until 4pm for which no
bookings are required. The service will operate from Kingsley &
Froghall and Cheddleton stations, stopping at Consall and also take
in the nine miles of the newly-opened track to Cauldon Lowe.
Titanic Brewery has worked with the CVR team to plan the event
and source their beer and ciders to be offered in the bars on the
trains and at all three stations - with the main CVR selection at
Kingsley and Froghall Station.
In addition, organisers have liaised with The Boat Inn at
Cheddleton, The Black Lion at Consall Forge, The Railway Inn at
Froghall and The Fox and Goose at Foxt - each of whom has chosen
their own special selections of real ales and ciders.
Entertainment over the weekend will include folk singing on the
Friday evening, the Bill Bailey Jazz Band at Froghall on Saturday
evening and Halcyon Nights 60's tribute band at Froghall on the
Sunday afternoon.
Recognising Staffordshire's unique place as the world's capital
of English Ale, a good proportion of beer on offer will be supplied
by local breweries. Beer lovers will also be able to enjoy some
championship ales from independent breweries throughout the UK.
Friday night preview special - Tickets are still available for
passengers to join the sausage and mash supper train on the evening
of Friday July 22. The service will depart Cheddleton at 7.30pm and
9pm, and Kingsley and Froghall at 8pm and will include an
opportunity to preview of the beers and ciders (pre booking is
essential for the service). Froghall station bar will also be open
to non passengers from 7pm to 10pm on the Friday.