Crewe Rail Ale Festival

About the festival

• The Crewe Rail Ale Festival isn’t just a beer festival, it’s a full‑throttle celebration of innovation, brewing and railway heritage in one unforgettable setting. Your ticket includes full access to the entire Crewe Heritage Centre, from historic locomotives and working signal boxes to cab experiences, model railways, miniature train rides, exhibitions and the groundbreaking APT standing proudly beside Crewe North Junction, all brought together in a festival that welcomes everyone.
• For the rail enthusiast it’s a pilgrimage; for everyone else it’s an unforgettable backdrop to a great pint.
• You’ll find 60+ carefully curated real ales, ciders and perries across cask and keg, alongside food options, seating and space to explore. It’s a family friendly and dog friendly event with plenty to see and do between halves, whether you’re here for the engineering, the beer, or both!
• After a year off in 2025, this year brings something special. We’re proud to be hosting the regional judging of the Premium Bitters category for the Champion Beer of Britain — meaning some of the finest beers in the country will be assessed right here at the festival.

We’re also proud to be supporting St Luke’s Hospice, helping raise funds for a charity that makes a real difference in our community.

There is nowhere quite like it. Set among working signal boxes, historic locomotives and the famous APT (Advanced Passenger Train) standing alongside Crewe North Junction, where trains still sound their horns as they pass, the Heritage Centre is a beer festival venue and a grand day out rolled into one.

For the rail enthusiast it's a pilgrimage; for everyone else it's an unforgettable backdrop to a great pint. Wander the exhibits between halves, take in the APT, ride the miniature railway, and raise a glass in the town that built the railways.

Crewe Heritage Centre Vernon Way, Crewe. CW1 2DB

Friday 4th September - 11:00 to 21:00

Saturday 5th September - 11:00 to 21:00

Sunday 6th September - 11:00 to 16:30

Proud to be supporting St Luke's Hospice.

• Come and raise a glass in the town that built the railways, for a festival that welcomes everyone, whether you know your Pendolino from your Porter, or you're just discovering the joy of both.