Celebrations Galore at Essex Railway Beer Festival!

Join the UK’s premier railway-based beer festival from September 6 to September 10 inclusive!

Essex Railway Beer Festival

The East Anglian Railway Museum (EARM) at Chappel & Wakes Colne in Essex is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The EARM also hosts what is widely recognised as the UK’s premier railway-based beer festival which this year, runs from September 6 to September 10 inclusive.

This year’s event is a special one, not only because of the 40th anniversary of the EARM, but because it is the 25th annual Beer Festival as well! The event is a fundraising activity for EARM by CAMRA and has been organised and run by volunteers of both organisations.

400 Beers on Offer

Around 400 (yes four hundred) different beers should be on sale as well as a range of ciders and soft drinks. Live music has been scheduled for Friday and Saturday which is included in the festival admission price. The beer selection will include examples from small local breweries and rare beers not normally available in Essex alongside real ciders and soft drinks and hot and cold food.

Also included is Admission to the whole railway site but no trains will be running for obvious reasons and all Bars. The museum will be closed to enable the festival to take place, every bit of space is needed for this event.

Sales Stands

In addition to catering, an engraving company will be on site who can annotate glass, goblets, tankards, belts & buckles plus Breweriana stalls offering shirt and beermats amongst other items.

Opening Times:

Tuesday: 18:00 - 23:00

Wednesday: 11:00 - 23:00

Thursday: 11:00 - 23:00

Friday Daytime: 11:00 - 17:00 (Last Entry 16:00)

Friday Evening: 17:30 - 23:00 (Entry via prebooked tickets only)

Saturday: 11:00 - 23:00

Admission Details

The event has been arranged by CAMRA, whose members along with EARMs who can enjoy free admission throughout the festival, except for Friday night, on production of their current membership card. Members who wish to attend on the Friday evening must purchase a ticket from the Museum in advance. On Friday Night Members get voucher for one free pint.

Tickets vary between £3 and £5 but £8 for the must be pre-booked Saturday evening session.

Pre-Booking

Visitors MUST pre-book for the Friday night as NO tickets will be on sale on the door.

It is not possible or necessary to book for any other sessions, however if you are bringing a coach party, please visit the Essex Camra website for details of Express Check-in.

Camping Facilities

The EARM has made a field available for camping but there are limited facilities such as toilets, which are a couple of minutes’ walk away!

Late Night National Express East Anglia Trains

National Express East Anglia will be running extra and later trains to serve the event to and from Sudbury and Marks Tey which is on the Great Eastern Main Line between Liverpool Street, Ipswich and Norwich. This will allow visitors to use the train and not to drive!

Children

The festival welcomes well-behaved children until 7.30pm each day, provided that they are accompanied by their parents or guardians at all times. Please note we do not have a crèche or other supervised areas for children and they must be supervised at all times and not allowed to climb on railway exhibits.

Where is This Event Located?

East Anglian Railway Museum

Chappel and Wakes Colne Station

Wakes Colne

Essex, CO6 2DS

Tel: 01206 242524, Fax: 01787 224473