Darling Brew Hoptober Festival
Join Us for a Special Trip to Darling Brew’s Hoptober Festival!
Raise your glasses and get ready for a festive adventure with Ceres Rail Company as we journey to Darling Brew’s annual Hoptober Beer Festival! Departing from the Harbour Bridge Platform (AC Marriott Hotel) in Cape Town at 08h00, this scenic steam train journey will take you through the picturesque Cape countryside, arriving at Darling Brew around 11h00 – just in time to dive into the excitement. A short walk from the station (500 m) to the Darling Brew
Onboard our historic steam train, you’ll be treated to a bar offering a variety of Darling Brew craft beers, alongside other favorites, as well as a dining car serving burgers, coffee, and other snacks to keep you satisfied during the trip. For a special touch, you can pre-book a hearty breakfast to enjoy on your way to the festival!
Once we arrive, the Hoptober Beer Festival will be in full swing. Enjoy a day filled with live music, a vibrant atmosphere, and a collection of craft breweries from across the region. Savor the flavors of potjiekos, braai, and other mouthwatering delights from the food stalls, while indulging in an impressive selection of beers. Your Hoptober Beer Festival Ticket is included in the train ticket and gives you access to the festival, a glass to take home, and your first Darling Brew beer for free.
We’ll depart from Darling Brew at 16h00, ensuring you have plenty of time to soak in the festival vibes. Expect to return to Cape Town by 19h00, though we recommend not scheduling any plans right after the trip to account for any potential delays.
Secure your seats today for a day filled with craft beers, delicious food, and unforgettable memories at the Darling Brew Hoptober Beer Festival!
Should unforeseen circumstances arise, the steam locomotive may be replaced by a diesel locomotive.
Itinerary
- 08h00 Depart from platform at AC Hotel by Marriot (33.9135° S, 18.4260° E), Dockrail Rd, Foreshore, Cape Town
- 11h00 -11h30 Arrive at Darling Brew
- 16h00 Departure from Darling Brew
- 19h00 Arrive back in Cape Town
We are so excited to have you on board!
Pricing (Including Hoptober Festival Ticket, Beer Glass and a free Darling Brew Beer)
- Day Sitter seating – R699 per adult, R550 per child, R549 per pensioner (60 and over)
- Family Coupe seating – R2200 for the unit (Max 3 adults, 1 child)
- Bar Lounge seating – R850 per seat (no under 18’s)
- Lounge Seating – R850 per seat
- Observation Car Seating- R950 per seat
Let History Transport You
Journey Timeline
- 07h00 – 07h45: Passengers Arrive
- 07h15: Train arrives at the platform
- 07h15 – 07h55: Passenger boarding
- 08h00: Departure
- 11h00 – 11h30 : Arrival at Darling Brew
- A short 500 m walk from the station; limited free shuttles will be available.
- 15h00: Train opens for reboarding (passengers to board at their leisure)
- 16h00: Departure from Darling Brew
- 18h30 – 19h00: Arrival back in Cape Town.
- Passengers are advised not to arrange evening events after the train at a time too close to the arrival of the train back in Cape Town due to possible delays in arrival.
Notes
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- The ticket is a return ticket and includes the cost of your journey with us.
- No personal food and drink items are permitted onboard. We have a fully stocked bar, dining car (for snacks), and coffee onboard. Payment by cash or card is accepted.
- This journey is not wheelchair friendly.
- No smoking is permitted onboard.
- A light jersey or jacket is advisable in the case of sudden weather changes.
- We strive to have a steam locomotive as part of the trip at all times, but there is the rare occasion that we have a breakdown and are forced to use a diesel locomotive.
General Rules and Other Info
- Safety is our biggest priority onboard, please be sure to read through the points below and communicate them to your children too. Failure to adhere to rules and instructions may lead to you being asked to leave the train.
- First of all, our friendly coach controllers are responsible for your safety onboard and will be introducing themselves to you once onboard. Please ask them any questions you may have, and obey any instructions they give you.
- NB 1: This is a smoke and vape free train. Where possible, stops will be made en-route for those who wish to smoke.
- NB 2: Please only embark/disembark when told to do so by a Coach Controller. This is for all stops, stations or other unforeseen circumstances.
- NB 3: Do not open any doors whilst the train is moving or when stopping at a station.
- NB 4: Never throw anything out of the train. This includes sweets, chips and other items for people who may be along the tracks. (This is a fineable offence)
- NB 5: When looking out of windows, please do not lean out, as there is vegetation along the tracks that may cause injury.
- NB 6: Walking barefoot on the train is strictly prohibited. The step-over plates between the coaches shift with the movement of the train and may cause pinching and injury. Closed shoes are recommended where possible.
- NB 7: Please stick to your pre-allocated seats, unless the coach controller has transferred you to a different seat.
- NB 8: When approaching a tunnel, the coach controller will inform you to close your windows. This prevents unnecessary smoke from entering the train.
- NB 9: If there is a power failure onboard, please do not use the normal flush toilets. Also, do not use the toilets when the train is standing still.
- NB 10: Glassware and beverages may not be taken off the train onto a station platform due to limitations of our liquor license.
- NB 11: The train is a family environment; drunken and rowdy behaviour places others at risk. We reserve the right to limit further sale of alcohol at our discretion.
- NB 12: Parents are responsible for their children. Children under 10 are not permitted to explore the train on their own. Running onboard is also not allowed.
- NB 13: We cannot control the actions of communities alongside the rail line, although we do out best to. We do have sporadic incidents of stones that are thrown at the train through certain areas; we undertake to do our best to monitor the known hotspots to ensure passengers are protected, and communities are engaged. We have patrollers on duty at various points along the railway line as required.
In Case of Emergency
- Should passengers require medical assistance, there will always be a First Aid officer on the train with a First Aid kit. Report the incident to a Coach Controller or the Train Manager immediately, and they will assist you.
- In the most unlikely event of a fire, there are serviced and working fire extinguishers in each coach. Report it to the Coach Controller or Train Manager who will attend to the matter.
- Should an evacuation be necessary, please only do so once instructed to, and also only exit at a position where it is safe to do so.
