On 27 September 2025, the volunteer group Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) hosted the launch of the first Rail Ale Trail on the Crewe to Manchester railway line.
The ceremony was held at Handforth Station and officiated by FoSH President Mike Bishop, alongside special guest Matthew Curtis, an award-winning writer, photographer, and podcaster from Manchester. Curtis is the author of Modern British Beer (CAMRA Books, 2021) and Manchester’s Best Beer Pubs and Bars (CAMRA Books, 2023).
Mike gave a brief address, followed by a speech from Matt Deeley, project manager for the Crewe Business Improvement District (BID) which sponsored the new trail. The attendees were then led across Station Road to the Railway Pub for some appropriate refreshments.
Other attendees at the event included Cheshire East Councillors, Handforth Town Councillors, members of local CAMRA branches, local Handforth residents, and representatives from other ‘Friends of a Station’ groups involved in the Rail Ale Trail, including Holmes Chapel, Chelford, Sandbach, and Styal stations.
The Rail Ale Trail encompasses nine stations and 21 pubs in their proximity. Those wishing to participate can download a sticker card from the Rail Ale Trail webpage and work their way along the trail, collecting a sticker in each of the pubs, in exchange for a real ale. Completing the trail earns participants a baseball cap emblazoned with the Rail Ale Trail logo.
In addition to BID, the Rail Ale Trail has been sponsored and supported by Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership and the Cheshire Pub Co.