As part of the nationwide celebrations marking Railway 200, and to commemorate their 20th anniversary, the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is proud to celebrate with a unique collaboration that brings together rail heritage, wildlife and local craft brewing.
The CRP has teamed up with Pope’s Yard Brewery in North Watford to commission a special guest beer, inspired by the Abbey Flyer – the affectionate nickname for the branch line running from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey Station. The beer also pays tribute to the Peregrine Falcons nesting atop St Albans Cathedral – the true Abbey Flyers.
The beer’s artwork, designed by Nick Thompson from Lemondrop Creative, channels the elegance of the 1920s and 30s, reflecting the golden age of rail travel and the soaring grace of the Peregrines.
This initiative marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between Abbey Line CRP and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, with the shared goal of promoting biodiversity along the Abbey Line. Supporting local businesses like Pope’s Yard Brewery – that has had to relocate due to a fire – is also part of the CRP’s commitment to local economic development.
The brew will debut at the St Albans Beer & Cider Festival, held from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 September 2025.
Festival visitors can meet the Abbey Line CRP at their stand, where they’ll be raising awareness of the Abbey Line railway and also celebrating the work of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and local conservation efforts supporting the cathedral’s resident Peregrines.
Steve Cavinder, Abbey Line CRP chair, said: “This beer is a toast to 20 years of community rail and a future where sustainable transport and biodiversity go hand in hand.”
Barbara Leenen from Pope’s Yard Brewery said: “We’re thrilled to be part of this celebration. We’ve relocated to a very old industrial building that used to have its own railway siding off the Abbey Line. So, it’s wonderful to collaborate and brew something that honours both our new neighbour and the wildlife around it.”
John Tubridy, St Albans Beer & Cider Festival organiser, said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to debut this exciting new beer at our event, and play our part in a great local and national celebration. Any new brew from Pope’s Yard always creates excitement among beer enthusiasts, and I’m expecting this one to be very popular indeed when we open on 24 September.”
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Abbey Line CRP via their website.
