Chappel Beer Festival 2026: Real Ale by the Railway

Set among the sidings and vintage carriages of the East Anglian Railway Museum, the Chappel Beer Festival is one of the most characterful events in the East Anglian calendar. Organised by CAMRA as a fundraiser for the museum, it pairs an enormous choice of real ales, ciders and perries with the evocative backdrop of steam-age railway architecture, including the striking Chappel Viaduct nearby. The 2026 summer festival is scheduled from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 September, welcoming drinkers to sample beers laid out along the platforms and inside the museum's historic buildings. Hundreds of casks are typically on offer, with rare and local brews sitting alongside established favourites, and the volunteer-run bars give the whole event a warm, community feel. Live music, food and the chance to wander among locomotives make it a genuine day out rather than simply a drinking session. For anyone who loves both real ale and railway heritage, few festivals combine the two so happily. More information: https://chappelbeerfestival.org.uk/