21st Isle of Wight Real Ale Festival

Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, Havenstreet, Ryde

Sat 2 - Mon 4 May 2026

3 days · 3 sessions · Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, Havenstreet

Sat 2 - Mon 4 May 2026

3 days · 3 sessions

19 breweries

About this festival

Get ready for a full steam ahead flavour adventure at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Real Ale Festival!
Step onto the platform and explore a massive line up of exceptional real ales, plus a refreshing selection of crisp ciders for those who love a sweeter finish.
It’s a true celebration of the cask, featuring the Island’s finest pours from Yates’, Goddards, and Island Brewery, alongside guest stars from Yorkshire, Somerset, and beyond.

Whether you’re a seasoned hop-hunter or just looking to enjoy a pint in the nostalgic scene of steam, come thirsty and leave inspired!.
Entry to the festival is FREE.

Schedule

Sat

2

May

All day

11:00 – 21:00

Sun

3

May

All day

11:00 – 21:00

Mon

4

May

Daytime

11:00 – 17:00

We've gathered these schedule details by hand, so please double-check the organiser's official channels for the latest times before you travel.

Tickets

Sold on the organiser's own ticket page.

How tickets work

You'll leave Beer Fest Buddy

Booking happens on the organiser's website.

They handle payment & refunds

The organiser and their ticket provider take care of your order. We never see your card.

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Breweries (19)

Abbeydale Brewery Sheffield

Beartown Brewery Congleton

Bond Brews Ltd Wokingham

Brass Castle Brewery Malton

Charnwood Brewery Loughborough

Flower Pots Alresford

Goddards Brewery Sandown

Island Brewery Newport

Abbeydale Brewery Sheffield

Beartown Brewery Congleton

Bond Brews Ltd Wokingham

Brass Castle Brewery Malton

Location Where it's happening

Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, Havenstreet

Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, Havenstreet, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 4DS

Beer52: a case of 10 craft beers with snacks and Ferment magazine, gift-wrapped

Partner offer in partnership with Beer52

Free case of 10 exclusive beers

You've earned it. Get a free case of 10 unique craft beers from our friends at Beer52. Just cover the postage.

Claim my free case

Offer for new UK customers only. One per household. After your free case you'll be subscribed as a Beer52 member (£33/m for 10 beers, a magazine and two snacks; all items sold separately; contact Beer52 to configure your plan), pause or cancel anytime. 18+ only. Beer selection may vary. Promotion runs for 30 days. Please drink responsibly.

Tickets

Sold on the organiser's own ticket page.

How tickets work

You'll leave Beer Fest Buddy

Booking happens on the organiser's website.

They handle payment & refunds

The organiser and their ticket provider take care of your order. We never see your card.

opens the organiser's website in a new tab

Not booking yet?

Save it on BFB for reminders & updates.

Find this festival online

Official links shared by the festival

iwsteamrailway.co.uk

This festival has finished.

On soon nearby

Promoted 16th SPA Valley Railway Beer Festival Thu 15 - Sun 18 October 2026 Spa Valley Railway, Royal Tunbridge Wells All Aboard for one of the largest and most unique Beer Festivals in the Country This autumn, travellers can swap the conventional festival field for a five-mile heritage railway as the Spa Valley Railway’s award-winning Real Ale & Cider Festival returns to Tunbridge Wells. The festival opens at Tunbridge Wells West on Thursday evening; vintage trains then carry visitors between three characterful station venues from Friday to Sunday, combining a major drinks festival with live music, local food and a journey through the scenic High Weald on a Steam Train. The 16th festival will bring together around 200 real ales, 40 Kent Green Hop beers, 14 keg beers and 70 ciders at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge. The railway journey is not simply transport between bars: it is the thread that joins the experience, with heritage trains, countryside views and drinks available on selected services. At Tunbridge Wells West, full bands will perform on the main stage inside the atmospheric engine shed; Groombridge will offer a more intimate acoustic soundtrack; and Eridge will add its own lively mix of smaller bands. Freshly prepared food will be served across the line, creating an easy, unhurried day out in which visitors can taste, travel and explore at their own pace. Entry to every festival site is free. The festival opens at Tunbridge Wells West at 6pm on Thursday 15 October, with no train services operating that day. Heritage trains and the full three-station festival programme run from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October only. Rover tickets provide unlimited train travel between the venues on those three days, making it possible to experience the entire line in one memorable day. Why It Belongs on the Autumn Travel Calendar -------------------------------------------- - Around 200 real ales from breweries across the UK - 40 Kent Green Hop beers, showcasing the fresh flavours of the county’s hop harvest - 70 ciders and 14 keg beers, offering something for every taste - Live music and food across three characterful stations - Steam and heritage diesel trains through the beautiful High Weald Jonnie Pay, General Manager of the Spa Valley Railway, said: “Few festivals let you arrive by heritage train, step into three very different venues and enjoy the landscape as part of the day. This is a celebration of flavour, music and railway travel rolled into one - equally rewarding for serious beer enthusiasts, cider lovers and visitors looking for an original autumn escape with friends or family.” We would also like to thank Royal Tunbridge Wells Together for its continued support and generous contribution towards marketing this annual event.” The combination of vintage rail travel, three contrasting station settings and one of the country’s largest gatherings of Kent Green Hop beers gives the festival a strong sense of place. Visitors can compare classic bitters, bold stouts, refreshing pales, modern craft pours and an exceptional range of ciders while crossing the Kent and Sussex countryside. The Home of Kent Green Hop Beer ------------------------------- A major highlight will be one of the country’s largest gatherings of Kent Green Hop beers. Brewed with freshly harvested hops from Kent’s hop gardens, these seasonal beers deliver exceptionally fresh aromas and flavours that can only be enjoyed for a limited period around harvest time. For seasoned beer explorers and curious newcomers alike, the festival is a rare chance to taste the hop harvest at its freshest, meet friends, enjoy the music and experience a heritage railway in full festival spirit. Three Stations, One Unforgettable Journey ----------------------------------------- From Friday to Sunday, visitors can arrive at any festival site, purchase a festival glass and begin exploring. Rover tickets for unlimited heritage train travel are available in advance or at the stations, and the railway has published the 2026 train timetable online.

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