Railroad Inspired Breweries
Southern Pacific Brewing, San Francisco, Calif.: Located in an old SP machine shop, this brewery by the Bay is a must hit anytime you’re in San Francisco. The brewery has at least six-standard beers from a robust porter to a West Coast Indian Pale Ale.
Great Northern Brewing Company, Whitefish, Mont.: Situated within eyesight of the old Great Northern Railway depot and BNSF Railway’s busy Whitefish yard, this brewery has been making craft beers since 1994.
Durango Brewing Co., Steamworks Brewing Co. and Animas Brewing Co., Durango, Colo.: If you like to combine railfanning with craft beer, than Durango might be the place for you. This little burg in southwest Colorado is home to three great breweries and to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Both the Durango Brewing Co. and Steamworks Brewing Co. were named with an eye toward the city’s railroad history, but Animas might have the best seat in town with an outside patio right along the D&SNG main line.
Narrow Gauge Brewing Company, Florissant, Mo.: The Narrow Gauge Brewing Company gets its name from the West End Narrow Gauge railroad, which extended from St. Louis to Florissant in 1878.
Railroad Brewing Company, Avon, Ohio: There’s no question about what inspired this Ohio brewery’s name. Located within earshot of Norfolk Southern’s rails, Railroad Brewing Co. has been brewing cold ones since 2013.
Roundhouse Brewery, Brainerd, Minn.: Located at the Northern Pacific Center, a mixed use facility in Brainerd, the Roundhouse Brewery takes its name from the old NP yards that were once located nearby.
Railroad Inspired Brews
Erie Brewing Company’s Railbender Ale, Erie, Pa.: This Scottish style ale takes its name from the laborers who laid the rails through Erie more than a century ago.
San Luis Valley Brewing’s 168 Steam Driven IPA, Alamosa, Colo.: If you want to enjoy a fine craft beer while supporting a great cause, look no further than the 168 Steam Driven IPA. Money raised from the sale of the hoppy brew is being donated to the restoration of Denver & Rio Grande Western 4-6-0 No. 168 at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Of course, there are plenty of brew pubs, breweries, beer distributors, and other fine establishments based in train stations (even cabooses), or that have railroad themes. Did we miss one of your favorites? Tell everyone on Facebook!
Thirsty Dog Brewing in Akron,OH has: Rail Dog Smoked Black Lager.
http://thirstydog.com/news/images/Rail-Dog-Sell-Sheet.jpg
The Triple Crossing Brewing Company in downtown Richmond, VA. is only a few blocks from the large and historic rail structure that gave the brewery its name.
Side tracks, Ypsilanti Michigan. Right on the C P main line, in the former depot.
Railhouse Brewery, Aberdeen, NC
https://www.railhousebrewery.com/
And lets’ not forget Railway City Brewing Co. in St. Thomas, Ontario.
And how about that Operation Red Block Tavern, Jacksonville, FL?
https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/working-at-csx/employees/operation-redblock/
Two have opened up in Central Iowa in recent years- Reclaimed Rails Brewing Company in Bondurant (just northeast of Des Moines, next to the old CGW, which is now a recreation trail), and The Foundry in West Des Moines, which is in the former car barn at the site of the Rock Island Valley Junction shops. It’s the only building extant from a massive complex that used to feature two roundhouses and an extensive backshop. Their distillery will get going in 2018.
One more: Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen, NC (https://www.railhousebrewery.com/)
Railyard Ale, served at the Wynkoop Brewery right across from Denver Union Station for almost 30 years now.
Denver Chop House and brewery. Former UP freight station. Denver Colorado.
Boy, is that a “partial” list, or what?
Let’s give only a partial list of what you’ve left out”
Flossmoor Station, Flossmoor, Ill.: IC electric commuter depot, award-winning brewery…
Titletown Brewing, Green Bay, WI: C&NW depot, multiple award-winning, notes C&NW heritage….
Rail House Brewing, Marinette, WI
Railroad City Brewing, Altoona, Pa.
Boxcar Brewing, West Chester, Pa.
Two Brothers Brewing (formerly America’s Brewpub”, Aurora, Ill.: 1850s C&NW roundhouse
Mountain Town Brewing, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (in a station)
Big Rock Chophouse & Brewery, Birmingham, MI (GTW depot)
T-Rail Pale Ale, Old Forge Brewing, Danville, Pa.
Rusty Rail Brewing, Mifflinburg, Pa. (rail-themed)
Colorado Mountain Brewery, Colorado Springs, CO (former roundhouse)
McMenamin’s Brewing, Roseburg, Oregon (RR depot brewpub)
As I recall, the Montana Ale Works is in the old NP freight-house, Bozeman, MT.
Steam Whistle is located in the old John St. Roundhouse in Toronto
I might add there are several craft breweries in “Nordeast” Minneapolis, some with a view of the BNSF tracks.
Bell’s is right by the railroad tracks but doesn’t have any railroad-themed beers.
Don’t forget to include, Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City, Indiana. They use the South Shore herald with Shoreline Brewery inside it. Been there a number of years, ironically closer to Amtrak then the SS RR. Popular place in Michigan City.