Rails & Ales: Brewery Train Adventures Near Harrisburg and Hershey

Craft beer and railroads share an unlikely bond: both were born from industrial grit, designed to bring people together, and perfected by those obsessed with precision. For beer lovers in the Harrisburg–Hershey region, that connection is no longer just metaphorical. Within a few hours of Central Pennsylvania, several historic railroads and scenic train lines now offer beer-focused excursions or sit within easy reach of excellent breweries.

If you’ve ever wanted to swap a brewery crawl for a train whistle and a pint, here’s your guide.

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New Hope Railroad’s “Brew Hope Express” (New Hope, PA)

About two hours from Hershey, the New Hope Railroad offers one of the most beer-centric rail experiences in Pennsylvania: the Brew Hope Express. This vintage excursion pairs a nostalgic train ride through Bucks County with onboard beer tastings and light charcuterie.

Expect scenic countryside views, smooth pours of rotating craft beers, and a relaxed, almost European beer-train atmosphere. It’s ideal for a low-stress day trip — short, focused, and built specifically for craft beer fans.

Why it works from Central PA:
It’s a straightforward drive and one of the most polished “beer train” experiences in the state.

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Stourbridge Line + Runaway Train Brewery (Honesdale, PA)

If you want something more immersive, head northeast to Honesdale, where the Stourbridge Line teams up with Runaway Train Brewery for a full rail-and-brewery adventure.

This experience typically includes:

• A scenic vintage train ride along the Lackawaxen River

• Beer samples served onboard

• A guided brewery tour once you return to town

• A sit-down meal at the brewery

This feels less like a novelty and more like a craft beer event built around history, scenery, and production. It’s also one of the most complete “rail + beer” combinations within reach of Hershey.

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East Broad Top Railroad’s “Broad Top Brews” (Central PA)

The most “local pride” option for Central PA drinkers is the East Broad Top Railroad near Rockhill Furnace. This narrow-gauge historic railroad runs a special Broad Top Brews train that turns a heritage steam-era ride into a rolling beer festival.

You’ll sample beers from regional breweries, ride through wooded ridges and farmland, and return to a festival-style environment with live music and food vendors.

For residents of Harrisburg and Hershey, this feels like a home-region event rather than a long-distance destination.

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How to Build Your Own “Rail & Ale” Weekend from Central PA

Even without official beer trains, you can easily create your own brewery-and-rail adventure using commuter or regional rail lines.

From the Harrisburg–Hershey area, a good strategy is:

Drive to a station → Ride a scenic or regional train → Walk or rideshare to a brewery → Repeat.

Philadelphia and its suburbs are especially rich with breweries within short distances of stations. You can turn a simple regional rail trip into a personalized brewery crawl without worrying about city parking or long drives between stops.

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Why This Works So Well for Central PA Beer Fans

The Harrisburg–Hershey area sits in an underrated sweet spot:

You’re close to:

• Historic narrow-gauge railroads

• Scenic mountain lines

• Multiple day-trip brewery towns

• And a surprising number of rail-based beer events

You don’t need to fly. You don’t need a big budget. You just need a free Saturday, an appreciation for good malt, and a willingness to let someone else drive the train.

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Final Pour: Are Beer Trains Worth It?

If your idea of a perfect beer experience includes:

• Real pints instead of sample-fest chaos

• A slow pace

• Scenic views

• And actual conversation without brewery-crawl exhaustion…

Then brewery trains might be one of the most underrated beer experiences in the Mid-Atlantic.

For Harrisburg and Hershey drinkers, they’re not just accessible — they’re practically in your backyard.

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