Needing some vacation time from work, but not sure what to do? Well if you like beer, trains, and mountains, you’re in luck. If you like those three things all together, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Behold, the vacation of your beer-and-mountain-loving dreams: the Durango Brew Train.
The train rides on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the Colorado mountains.
For you train enthusiasts out there, the train is an authentic 1920s steam locomotive. For the beer lovers, the train is stocked with craft beer. And finally for the nature adorers, the train starts in Durango and rides through the scenic ridges and along the Animas River.
There are Colorado brewers that walk from train car to train car, ensuring everyone’s drinks are topped off while you sit back and take in the sights.
“The breweries are very liberal with their pours, too,” Christian Robbins, Marketing Director for the train line, tells Thrillist. That’s music to my beer-loving ears.
But for those of you who don’t care for beer, don’t worry. There are other perks to this vacation.
“We start here in Durango like our normal train ride would,” Robbins adds. “On your way [to Cascade Canyon in the San Juan National Forest] you see gorgeous views. The highline is one of the peak moments because it’s jaw-dropping. You could just look out the train, and there’s this huge 500-foot cliff down to the river you’re looking over.”
If that staggeringly high cliff makes you nervous, don’t worry. There are brewers bringing beers directly to your seat.
“When you get to Cascade, the train stops and lets everyone off in a forest-y grove,” Robbins goes on. “It’s the middle of the forest. You’re not near anything except our tracks. Prior to that train arriving, we’ve already hauled up the caterers, the food, and the musicians.”
Imagine: being in the middle of a forest with lunch, live music, and naturally, more beer. Sounds like a nature lovers’ dream!
The brewers are largely local to Durango, however the other non-Durango breweries are still top-notch. You have BREW, Steamworks Brewing, Ska Brewing, Animas Brewing, and Carvers Brewing, just to name a few. They are regulars with them being based in Durango.
In 2018, Durango Brew Train added Four Peaks Brewing (Tempe, Arizona) and Left Hand Brewing (Longmont, Colorado) to their list of craft beers.
If you’re sold by the idea of this, it’s not too late to sign up. There is only one train ride this year in 2018, and that’s on September 29, 2018.
So if you’re the type to live spontaneously, or happen to be in Colorado and want to take a road trip, sign up!
Typically, there are two trips in two separate September weekends. So if you can’t make it this year, try and keep an eye out for next year.
The Durango Brew Train sounds like an awesome idea to add to your bucket list!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
