As a resident of Stalybridge, who frequently goes drinking
in Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden and Huddersfield, and with relatives in both
Dewsbury and Batley, I have seen in great detail the effect that the Rail AleTrail, which has been making local headlines, has had on the communities
involved.
James May did not design the Rail Ale Trail. Considering I’ve
been participating in miniature versions of it for 8 years to enjoy,
especially, the Riverhead at Marsden and the Railway at Greenfield, perhaps I
should lay claim to its creation. I always maintain that if, as a concept, it
was patentable, I would be a millionaire. But I use the local stopping train
required for this pub crawl regularly and around 4 years ago they started to
promote it in CAMRA magazines. I can confirm that it’s always been a great day
out, with some great pubs at extreme convenience.
For those that aren’t aware, over the past 2 or 3 years this
Rail Ale Trail has become popular amongst large groups of non-ale drinkingbinge drinkers looking, God forbid, for a good time. This explosion in
popularity has taken many residents of the involved towns aback, myself
included. Whilst I can understand the appeal to civilians of the surrounding
areas, the fact that stag and hen parties from the likes of Devon and Dorset
have been recently making the journey up north just for this train ride is
rather incredible. Though I like the pubs showcased on this journey myself,
they’re not so amazing they deserve this much effort to see them.
Furthermore, I would
wager that the majority of local stopping services across the country could
provide a similar day out. My friends and I are currently planning a similar
Rail Ale Trail via the Manchester Victoria to Leeds service that stops at,
amongst others, Castleton, Sowerby Bridge, Bradford and Halifax, places I know
with great pubs near the stations. And if I was happy to drink anything, like
some of those now boarding my local stopping train, then you can definitely do
this on ANY local train. This is certainly true of anywhere I’ve lived in the
country so far. But it’s the dedicated ale drinkers who seem to be kicking up
the most fuss about these ‘pests’ because the quality of drink is not what
people are interested in the excursion for.
The debate seems to be at the moment, “What do we do about
this problem?” Which, I have to say is a pathetic and snobbish ideal. Apart
from being a bit of a nuisance when I’m just trying to get home and the train
is full (a problem that could be solved by more carriages) I don’t see the
issue. It is undoubtedly an economy boost for the pubs and surrounding areas,
considering the newsagents and takeaways are also used by participants. Also,
I’ve noticed in these towns other pubs trying real ale for the first time to
try to profit from it, to decent effect at The Commercial in Slaithwaite and
the Commercial in Mossley. Though it disappoints me too that so few of these
“Rail Trailers” are drinking real ale, who are we to judge them for it?
Over August bank holiday I went on a lad’s weekend away to
Blackpool for two mate’s birthdays. It was how you’d expect. On return I had a
version of the following conversation THRICE. “Any decent beer there?”
“Absolutely not.” “What were you drinking then?” ”Whatever. Fosters in a few bars. Rum in some others.” “Fosters,
urgh, how could you?” But what exactly am I supposed to do? Hunt down some
craft beer bars dragging along lads dressed as penguins and Captain Jack
Sparrow? Here’s a picture of my dressed-as-a-penguin mate.
Do you think he wants an Imperial Stout?
I think I started this blog by rambling about the demons I
needed to explore and this was certainly one of them. So let’s stop being snobs
and forcing our ideals on others. I don’t enjoy hearing vegetarians telling me
that I’m wrong for eating burgers so how do you think vodka drinkers feel about
us telling them to chuck some green bullet hops in their beverage? If people want to relax with some quality beer then I know the feeling well. But if they want to go out for fun with their friends without questioning the Nelson Sauvin then let them.
Oh, and by the way, the Fosters in Blackpool was awful. Put
that on RateBeer for me will you, SNOB!
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