Sip Seasonal Beer On A Train Ride Through Arizona’s Most Magical Fall Foliage

Nothing says fall has arrived quite like watching the leaves change from green into the deepest amber, gold, and crimson hues imaginable. On the Verde Canyon Railroad's annual Ales on Rails event, you can admire the foliage while sipping seasonal beer from Arizona craft breweries. There's no better way to welcome the season!

From September 14 through October 31, you can take a trip to Germany without leaving Arizona by hitching a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.

The annual Ales on Rails event is essentially an Oktoberfest on wheels, bidding summer adieu with seasonal craft beer from local breweries.

Each passenger gets four, three-ounce beer samples of their choosing, with options ranging from bold IPAs to chocolate stouts to traditional, German-style lagers.

Tickets are $112 each, and the tastings are included in the price.

For just $13 more per person, you can enjoy a delicious lunch from the railroad's on-site restaurant, Copper Spike Cafe.

Both lunch and the beer tasting will take place on the patio prior to boarding the train.

The festivities continue on the train, where full-size glasses of all the beer you just sampled are available for purchase.

Sip your ale of choice while riding in an open-air viewing car, marveling at the vibrant fall foliage of Sycamore Canyon.

Accessible only via rail, the canyon - which is normally quite monochromatic - comes alive in the fall with rich amber, crimson, and gold hues.

Feel the crisp autumn breeze dance across your skin, countered by the pleasant warming effect of the beer as it glides down your throat with impeccable smoothness.

Nearly a dozen breweries - all of them local - will be supplying their finest brews for Ales on Rails.

Tickets can be purchased on the Verde Canyon Railroad website (and they sell out quickly, so don't waste any time if you're interested.)

If you have young children, the Fall Colors Tour offers the same breathtaking views in a more family-friendly setting.

This excursion runs from October through November, with exact dates depending on when the foliage peaks. Standard train fare applies for the Fall Colors Tour.

The train ride lasts around four hours round-trip. Visit the Verde Canyon Railroad website or Facebook page to learn more and/or purchase tickets.

Have you ever participated in Ales on Rails? If so, what were some of your favorite beers? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, then check out our previous article to learn more about the Fall Colors Tour.