Ales on Rails
2025
September 14 - October 31, 2025
Ales on Rails
Overview
Ales on Rails is Verde Canyon Railroad’s celebration of autumn and Arizona breweries. There’s a good chance that once you sample a great micro beer, a mass-produced macro beer will no longer satisfy. Microbrewery experimentation – tasting the local, innovative craft beers – is a true hallmark of getting to know Arizona. There’s a limitless world of craft beers out there, from light pilsners to rich stouts. You’ll find the one that suits your palate on Verde Canyon Railroad’s outdoor pavilion before climbing on board the train for an amazing journey through Arizona’s other “grand” canyon.
Start at the Depot with Lunch and Lagers
This popular venue, in its 23rd year, features a wide array of ales to suit every beer lover’s taste, and the perfect accompaniment to a scratch-made lunch at the Copper Spike Café before the whistle blows. In addition to Arizona craft beers, wine and spirits-free beverages may be purchased at the pavilion bar prior to boarding. The outdoor beer festival, paired with a burger, pulled pork sandwich or chef salad, is the perfect place to kick off your autumn adventure. The relaxed atmosphere sets the stage for the scenic journey ahead, creating a memorable start to your rail journey.
Explore the Boxcar Gift Store and John Bell Museum
Before you board for an unforgettable time on the rails, don’t miss the chance to pick up a keepsake beer stein or mug at the Boxcar Gift Store. From designer apparel and home goods to exclusive local art, books and handcrafted jewelry, you’ll find the perfect memento that will capture the magic of your adventure.
The John Bell Museum, located in a historic box car, is chock full of the history of the railroad in Clarkdale, as well as neighboring communities that were built to support the copper mines that fueled the Industrial Revolution. With fascinating artifacts and local lore, the museum is a great starting point. A walk along the boarding platform will take you to an array of junior billboards that are rich with the people and wildlife that have imprinted the Verde Valley and the Canyon.
Enjoy a Scenic Train Ride
You’ll savor the thrill of the Canyon’s vibrant autumn scenery from comfortable indoor seating with unlimited access to adjoining open-air viewing cars. It’s an exhilarating escape where you can immerse yourself in the crisp, fresh air, sunshine and pleasant seasonal temperatures. The emerald and gold foliage are in stark contrast to the red-rock sculpturing that lines the river and the rails.
New for 2025: Sunset scenery adds a new dimension to autumn aboard Saturday’s Starlight Tours where the colors of the Canyon and ever-changing light slip into dusk, starshine and moonglow.
What’s Special About Arizona Brewers?
In the 1850s, thousands of migrants flooded Arizona and Sedona’s Verde Valley looking to make their fortune in mining and railroading. The demand for beer skyrocketed in the untamed West because ales were deemed safer to drink than water. Early Arizona brewers faced significant setbacks, like alkaline water and unstable resource routes. Even with obstacles, these pioneer beer producers thrived until the transcontinental railroads opened supply lines for out-of-state beers to flood the market, causing local breweries to struggle and eventually close.
Since the 1980s, locally brewed beers have made a big comeback nationwide, and Arizona is no exception, with craft breweries’ signature beers bringing home gold, silver and bronze year-after-year from the annual U.S. Beer Tasting Championship. Verde Canyon Railroad invites many of these award-winning beermakers to showcase their medal-winners. Hoppy Hour will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the train’s departure at 1 p.m. daily, except on Saturdays, when trains depart at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Ales on Rails
Tickets & Event Details
Your Ticket Includes:
- Comfortable living room-style seating inside a climate-controlled passenger car
- Unlimited access to adjoining open-air viewing car
- Charcuterie box of gourmet meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, brownie bites
- Champagne or sparkling cider toast upon boarding
- Not included but may be purchased upon arrival at depot: Beer and lunch
Price: $139.00 per person
Event Details:
- 1 p.m. Train Departure
- Café opens for lunch at 10:30 a.m.
- Ales on Rails on the pavilion starts at 10:30 a.m.
- Train boards at 12:45 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. Train Departure
- Café opens for lunch at 12:30 a.m.
- Ales on Rails on the pavilion starts at 12:30 p.m.
- Train boards at 3:15 p.m.
- Train Ride Duration: 4 Hours
- Dates: September 14 - October 31, 2025
2025 Ales on Rails Featured Breweries
Barrio Brewing Co. – Tucson
Cider Corps (Cider) – Mesa
College Street Brewhouse – Lake Havasu City
Fate Brewing – Scottsdale
Greenwood Brewing Co. – Phoenix
Lumberyard Brewing Co. – Flagstaff
Mother Road Brewing Co. – Flagstaff
Moto Sonora Brewing Co. – Tucson
Mudshark Brewery – Lake
Havasu City Oak Creek Brewing – Sedona
O.H.S.O. Brewery – Phoenix
Pedal Haus Brewery – Tempe
The Shop Beer Co. – Tempe
Smelter Town Brewery – Clarkdale
Superstition Meadery (Mead) – Phoenix
Tombstone Brewing Co. – Tombstone
Uncle Bear’s Brewery – Gilbert
Wild Tonic (Kombucha) – Cottonwood
Wren House Brewing Co. – Phoenix/Prescott
*In order to showcase the maximum number of local beers on our taps, featured breweries may vary on a rotating basis
Photo Gallery
Ales on Rails FAQs
What time should I arrive at the depot for Ales on Rails?
We recommend arriving at the depot 2 hours prior to boarding to allow time to enjoy lunch at the Railroad’s Copper Spike Café, peruse the Boxcar Gift Store and sip on a locally crafted beer on the pavilion. The café and pavilion bar are closed when the train returns.
Do I have to ride the train to enjoy Ales on Rails on the pavilion?
No. All are welcome to come to the depot for lunch, and anyone age 21 or older (with a state ID reflecting this status) can enjoy a beer or other libation on the pavilion.
Are the same beers served on the train as on the pavilion?
While the largest selection of brews are available at the depot bar only, our private-labeled locally-brewed beers from Uncle Bear’s Brewery in Gilbert AZ and Clarkdale’s own Smelter Town Brewery can be purchased on the train year-round.
Are non-alcoholic beverages available at the event?
Non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the depot and aboard the train.
