Pennsylvania ~ Beer Tasting ~ Train Rides

Published: July 18, 2026

The East Broad Top Railroad (EBT) is the kind of place that feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a living time capsule. It’s widely admired not just because it’s narrow gauge, scenic, and steam-powered, but because so much of the original railroad ecosystem is still there: the yard, the shops, the rolling stock, and the long story of a coal-hauling carrier that refused to disappear. Today, EBT’s rebirth has introduced a growing lineup of experiences, and one of the most enticing for adult visitors is the Broad Top Brews Train—a rail-and-ales evening that pairs mountain scenery with tastings, barbecue, and live music.

East Broad Top 2-8-2 #16 rounds the curve at Long Fill on its way back to Orbisonia, Pennsylvania on February 18, 2023. Jon Wright photo.

A Brief History

EBT’s origins are rooted in the extraction economy of the Broad Top region. Completed in the 1870s, the railroad developed to serve iron and coal interests across a long corridor in Huntingdon County, connecting communities and mines to the outside world.

What made EBT distinct—even in a state once crowded with short lines—was its three-foot narrow gauge, a practical solution for a railroad that needed to thread valleys, work through rugged terrain, and handle the region’s freight needs economically. Over time, the line grew into a substantial system associated with the Broad Top coal fields, ultimately extending well beyond the compact “park railroad” footprint most visitors see today.

By the early-to-mid 1950s, the market realities that crushed many coal-related enterprises began catching up to EBT as well. According to the Friends of the East Broad Top, coal was the dominant revenue source late in the railroad’s life, but shifting energy markets and declining demand eroded the business case; common-carrier operations ended in 1956.

Preservation, revival, and a new chapter

EBT’s survival story is famously unusual. Unlike many heritage operations assembled from equipment gathered across multiple states, EBT remained remarkably intact on its original property. That “frozen in place” quality is a big part of why rail historians and casual visitors alike find it so compelling: you’re not just riding a train—you’re stepping into a preserved industrial landscape.

A major turning point arrived in 2020, when the EBT Foundation acquired the railroad and began an extensive restoration effort, leading to the return of regular passenger service in 2021. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3), now oversees operations and long-term preservation goals.

That restoration work isn’t just cosmetic. It’s about rebuilding a railroad—track, structures, rolling stock, and motive power—in a way that’s safe, sustainable, and historically respectful. The EBT and Friends group have also been pursuing strategic track renewals and extensions, including the wider “March to Saltillo” effort to reopen portions of the line dormant since the 1950s.

The Ride Today

Most public EBT excursions revolve around a run from Rockhill Furnace to Colgate Grove—a trip that’s intentionally unhurried, letting riders soak in the sense of place: forested slopes, pastoral pockets, and the feel of a railroad that still belongs to the landscape. The railroad describes the core scenic trip as a roughly nine-mile, one-hour roundtrip, with some days featuring diesel and many peak departures featuring their 1916 steam locomotive.

Colgate Grove, the turnaround area, isn’t just “where the train stops.” EBT has been intentionally building it into an experience hub—an outdoor destination where special-event trains can layer on music, meals, tastings, games, and seasonal programming.

The Broad Top Brews Train

The Broad Top Brews Train is EBT’s adult-focused “night out” excursion—part scenic train ride, part tasting festival, part laid-back outdoor gathering. It’s designed to feel celebratory without feeling cramped or overly formal: ride out to Colgate Grove, enjoy tastings and dinner, linger with music and lawn games, then ride back under the evening sky.

Quick details (what to expect at a glance)

According to EBT’s official event listing, Broad Top Brews includes:

Dates: June 20th & October 3rd
Departure: 5:30 p.m.
Duration: 3–4 hours
Age requirement: 21+ only (no guests under 21 admitted)
What’s included: train ride, brewery & distillery tastings, food, live music, lawn games, fire pits
Accessibility: a wheelchair-accessible car is available (call ahead to request the lift)
Policy notes: trains operate rain/snow/shine; no refunds (ticket value may be transferred to a credit); motive power/rolling stock can change

The experience: from the depot to the grove

Your evening begins at Rockhill Furnace, where the sights and sounds of the yard set the mood—switch stands, historic buildings, and that unmistakable “railroad” atmosphere you can’t replicate with a static museum display. Once aboard, the train rolls north through EBT’s mountain scenery toward Colgate Grove. It’s the kind of ride where open windows (or open-air seating) let you hear the rhythm of the wheels and catch the scent of the woods—especially memorable if steam is on the point.

At Colgate Grove, the vibe shifts from “scenic excursion” to “railroad social.” EBT frames this as a “Rails & Ales adventure,” centered on tastings from a rotating lineup of vendors. The listing specifically mentions Juniata Brewing Company, Shy Bear Brewing, and Hungry Run Distillery as featured participants.

Tastings + dinner: barbecue built for hungry travelers

A key reason Broad Top Brews works so well is that it’s not just sipping on an empty stomach. Dinner is part of the package, and EBT’s posted menu leans into comfort-food classics—perfect after a ride through the hills:

Main course: grilled chicken breast and barbecue pulled pork
Sides: mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner salad, homemade rolls
Non-alcoholic drinks: water, sweet tea, lemonade

It’s hearty, approachable, and designed to keep the evening moving—more “gather and enjoy” than “formal dining.”

Music, lawn games, and fire pits: why this isn’t just another beer train

Plenty of railroads offer a “beer tasting train,” but Broad Top Brews has a strong setting advantage: Colgate Grove is a purpose-built outdoor destination where you can actually spread out. Add live music, lawn games, and fire pits, and the event becomes a mini-festival anchored by the train ride itself.

It also pairs especially well with fall color. That October date isn’t accidental—EBT’s countryside and wooded ridgelines can be spectacular as the season turns, and the event’s structure (ride + layover + ride back) is tailor-made for a crisp autumn evening.

Seating options and pricing

EBT offers multiple ways to ride Broad Top Brews, including enclosed and open-air choices, plus a caboose option for something extra memorable. Pricing on the event page is:

Coach (21+): $70
Open Air (21+): $70
Caboose (21+): $80

If you’re going with friends, the caboose can be a fun “bookend” experience—more intimate, more railroad-y, and great for photos. Open air is ideal if the weather is nice and you want that immersive sensory layer: the sounds, the breeze, and the scenery without glass between you and the landscape.

Final Thoughts

The best heritage railroads don’t just transport you from Point A to Point B—they transport you into a different era. EBT does that as well as anywhere in the country, because it’s not merely operating in a historic setting; it is the historic setting. And as its restoration continues—track extensions, shop preservation, and ongoing steam work—it’s a place where repeat visits are rewarded because something is always evolving.

Broad Top Brews fits perfectly into that story. It’s a modern special event anchored by a rare piece of American railroad history: a narrow-gauge line that once hauled coal and served remote communities, now inviting you to ride out into the Pennsylvania hills for a night of music, barbecue, and locally crafted drinks—then carry you back the way travelers would have a century ago, by rail. To learn more about the Broad Top Brews Train please click here to visit the EBT website.

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