A popular beer and cider festival is returning to the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, along the five-mile line, from 16th-19th October.
Money raised from the event will help The Spa Valley Railway to raise the £300,000 urgently required for the charity to replace the Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge.
“After the event attracted record numbers last year, we are anticipating this year to be just as popular,” said Jonnie Pay, general manager of the railway and one of the festival organisers.
“So to ensure we do not run out of beer, we are ordering additional beers and ciders to cope with demand, including some from as far north as the Scottish Highlands, as well as Wales, Cornwall, and Northern Ireland.”
Several of the beers and ciders will be doubled up to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their favourite pint.
Music is a big part of the event and there will be an exciting line-up of live bands for Tunbridge Wells West Engine Shed, with additional busking at Groombridge and Eridge stations.
“Many of the brewers have promised specials for this event,” said Johnnie, “including some keg beers being available in a cask as a one-off, wooden barrel-aged stouts, award-winning beers from years before, and of course the famous Kent green hop beers, only available at this that time of year.”
There will be more than 200 real ales from more than 50 breweries, including more than 30 green hop beers from Kent. There will also be keg beers and ciders.
Expect to see Crouch Vale’s Amarillo, the 2024 CAMRA Beer of Britain, Harvey’s Prince of Denmark, Kissingate’s award-winning Black Cherry Mild, ales from the Orkney Isles and Isle of Wight, a rare keg beer produced in cask from Moot Brew, a rare New Zealand pale from Only With Love, plus lots more including the odd wooden cask of stout.
The green hops beers will come from a variety of breweries in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, including Westerham, Madcat, Northdown (with a green hop stout!), Bexley, and Shivering Sands.
Fuller’s famous barbecue and the Thai Food stall will be back at Tunbridge Wells West Station, together with other food options, including Holly’s cakes.
A fabulous line-up of trains is expected, including the magnificent Bulleid Pacific 34053 Sir Keith Park, BR Standard 4MT 80078, Caledonian Railway No 828, Class 25 25185, Class 31 31430 Sister Dora and Class 33/0 33063 R J Mitchell. Train tickets purchased allow travel as many times as you choose on the day of your visit.
Festival-goers won’t go thirsty on the trains, either, as there will be bars for passengers to enjoy a pint along the five-mile line between Tunbridge Wells to Eridge.
