In my blogs I have mentioned beer festivals quite a lot. I love them. In a room with a large selection of beers and surrounded by people with the same fascination for the pint as I have. But what if you yearn for wide open scenery?

Well, you might enjoy a ride on a RAT, or Real Ale Train. No this isn’t the latest offering from South West Trains, although they might want to give it some thought. I’m talking about the nations preserved railways.

I was reminded of this when I was visiting the excellent Swanage Railway last month for their Spring Diesel Gala. For this event the Dorset South East branch of CAMRA organised a beer tent at one of the stations. About 40 local beers were on offer. Excellent choice.

Anyway back to the Real Ale Trains. The Swanage Railway (http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk) dining cars have stocks of locally brewed real ale, where as the Mid Hants Railway aka Watercress Line (watercressline.co.uk) go one further and also feature regular steam hauled Real Ale Trains throughout the year.

So, what could be better than a Steam Train ride and supping real ales. Is that a perfect combination? I admit being a bit of a train buff and a lover of real ales, but obviously I’m not alone or else the preserved railway people wouldn’t do Real Ale Trains or have beer tents at Gala’s.

For further information check out their website for dates and more details. The Watercress Line is connected to South West Trains network at Alton or via a bus from Winchester. Swanage Railway couldn’t be easier. A direct Wilts and Dorset bus from either Bournemouth, the number 50, or Poole (the number 40). The former via the Sandbanks Ferry, the latter via Wareham. Both are normally open top buses during the summer.

Now over to you. Why do old trains and beer go so well together and also let me know you experiences of Real Ale Trains.

Finally a quick reminder that the 15th Southampton Beer Festival is being held from Thursday 2nd June till Friday 5th June at the Civic Centre in Southampton shantscamra.org.uk/beerfestivals/sbf2011. Just a short walk away from the train station.

At the time of writing the Friday evening session has already sold out but hopefully you’ll still be able to get tickets for the other sessions of you haven’t already. For the first time ever I’m going to be volunteering to work at a festival. I’ll let you know how that goes in my next blog.