All aboard - the beer trains!

June 16, 11:40 PMCleveland Craft Beer ExaminerKaren Bujak

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K Bujak © 2009

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has introduced something new this year with their Beer-Tasting Trains. They started in February with “Beer Lovers Month” theme with beers from Brooklyn Brewery followed by “St Patrick’s Day Brews” in March. The most recent one “Brussels Comes to Cleveland” was June 12, and was my first excursion on the “Ales on the Rails.”

This one departed from Boston Mills Station at 7 pm. The weather was gorgeous! There is a choice of seating: coach, first class, or executive/dome (depending upon the train). I had to check them all out, obviously (see pictures). Executive is nice! But all serve the same food and beer. Each Belgian style beer was paired with a different food. Duvel with cheese & crackers; Ommegang Witte with salad, Victory Golden Monkey with sandwich wraps, Thirsty Dog Orthus with fruit, and Thirsty Dog Cerberus with brownies.

Cameron Russell from Heidelberg Distributing was on hand in the coach car to explain the first three beers and pairings. Then John Najeway of the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Akron introduced us to two of their Belgian-style beers. John says that every beer-tasting train features at least one Thirsty Dog beer, and the August train will be entirely Thirsty Dog beers.

Most fellow beer train riders were not really beer connoisseurs, and some were not even beer lovers. It’s a great way to try new beers and enjoy a scenic train ride with your friends. One group bought tickets in the executive car for a surprise birthday present. All I talked to said this was their first beer-tasting train experience and they would definitely do it again! If you’d like to go on the next one, call 800.468.4070 for reservations. Upcoming trains include: July 3 – “Red, White, and Blue Beers” A taste of Chimay; August 7 – “Thirsty Dog Days of Summer”, October 2 – “Oktoberfest”, and November 6 – “Seasonal Beers.”

Oh... and if you want a free ride, consider volunteering! All personell on board (except maybe the guy driving the train) were volunteers, and they're always looking for more!