In Chesterfield, a lively real ale festival took place last weekend, offering more than 400 varieties of beer and cider over four delightful days.
The Rail Ale Festival hosted its 26th edition this year, with the first festival held in 2000. It was held at the historic Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre in Chesterfield, in association with CAMRA, an organisation that supports real ale culture and independent breweries.
It was a very insightful event for those who attended, where they could try various types of beer, and it also became a positive space for small businesses to showcase their drinks, promote them, and share them with the thousands of people who showed up throughout the weekend, with a very family-friendly atmosphere.
Toby Williams, treasurer for Real Ale Society, attended this event and said: “Events such as these create exposure for much smaller breweries; getting to try them at these events is always so fun and insightful.”
The event had a large turnout, featuring live music from ABBA party band Calling Planet Earth and more, creating a memorable day with food to suit everyone’s appetite, from curries and burgers to bacon baps.
But the event wasn’t just for the beer; the themed trains surrounding the warehouse were a great addition, providing two class 20 British locomotives with free rides for visitors up the Springwell branch line with a drink in hand. Various locomotives from Barrow Hill were also on display.
The event also highlights the continued popularity of real ale festivals across the UK, despite the challenges small pubs and independent breweries have faced in recent years.
“It brings together a like-minded community that enjoys drinking and supporting local businesses, which helps the economy,” Mr Williams explains.
Throughout the weekend, many visitors spent hours at the site, keeping the festival busy with volunteers and workers managing the event.
Organisers have already announced next year’s festival dates, with Rail Ale set to return from May 20 to May 23, while tickets are expected to go on sale in December 2026.