Stepping back in time to an era of first-class steam travel, Ales on Rails is the ultimate alcohol, food and steam train experience.
It’s a time to indulge as you are taken into a world of decadence within the confines of 1920’s era club and parlour carriages, hauled behind a vintage steam locomotive for a unique journey from Castlemaine to Maldon, and back.
As this unparalleled steam engine winds its way through the goldfields countryside, you’ll begin sampling a range of beers provided by the likes of Holgate Brewhouse Woodend, Brookes Brewery Bendigo, Shedshaker Brewery, 40 Acres Brewery and the Tooboorac Brewery. You’ll begin with an easy drinking wheat beer to ease you into your journey and culminate in a rich chocolate porter.
While the beer is star, there’s something about sipping on a sweet, chilled glass of vino that truly evokes the spirit of classic rail travel. Ales on Rails offer a range of local wine and sparkling on the train as an alternative – at no extra cost, meaning you can sit there and swirl your wine(s) for the entire journey! This area is also famed for apples and especially ciders, so they’ve also got you covered if you feel like something a bit sweeter. As the cherry on top of the news of wine, you’ll be pleased to know you’ll be getting the very best in wine and cider from esteemed Victorian-based businesses including Harcourt Cider, Balgownie sparkling, Welshmans Reef and Chappels from Maldon district.
On arrival at Maldon, the treats keep on coming with a gourmet lunch at the Kangaroo Hotel and even more beer from their own extensive craft brewed, before you’ll climb onboard for the trip home with, yep, you guessed it, more alcohol! We recommend you have your big boy, drinking pants on for this experience.
Worried about driving? There’s no need to stress here. Leave the car at home and travel by train. Ales on Rails trains connect with trains from Melbourne
If you’re planning a bucks/hens day, a day out with mates or just because it’s the perfect excuse for you and your mates to drink during the day ON A TRAIN! It’s what dreams are made of really…
Suss these dates and book it in STAT.
Saturday 27 July
Saturday 17 August
Saturday 14 September
Saturday 12 October
Tuesday 5 November
Saturday 23 November
All aboard the alcohol train, am I right? Buy your tickets via vgr.com.au
**Obviously not available to persons under the age of 18 (sorry kiddies).