To celebrate the station’s 150th anniversary, St Pancras International has launched an October beer festival to showcase the station’s long and close relationship with the brewing industry.
During this month, those who visit the historic destination will enjoy daily beer tasting sessions held on the main concourse, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of a host of beer offers, giveaways and loyalty cards, available throughout a selection of the station’s bars, including a new pub, The Barrel Vault.
St Pancras International has long been associated with the beer industry, with 688 cast iron columns included within the design of the station, perfectly spaced to fit the width of two beer barrels.
In the ten years following the station’s opening in 1868, these vaults, which house the station’s premium retailers today, saw an annual influx of more than 200,000 barrels from the Bass Brewery alone. Now, 150 years later, the station is tapping in to its brewing heritage by hosting its first celebratory beer festival.
As part of the festival, the station will be inviting visitors to sample a number of different beers at a pop-up barrel bar on the main concourse, as well as some of the best brews from the station’s pubs and bars.
Tasting sessions will run daily, hosted by The Betjeman Arms, Sourced Market, and the newly launched Barrel Vault, which opened on October 1.
Close relationship with brewing industry
Wendy Spinks, commercial director at HS1 Ltd — owner of St Pancras International — said: “When the station first opened its doors 150 years ago, St Pancras International played a vital role in bringing beer to the city, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate this occasion by launching our very own beer festival.
“The festival will celebrate not only the station’s close relationship with the brewing industry, but also the pubs and bars. The Barrel Vault and Sourced Market and The Betjeman Arms will be showcasing a range of craft beers and ales throughout the month.”
From October 8 to 15, The Betjeman Arms will hand over the reins to Sourced Market, who will be championing the London’s microbrewers by showcasing some of the city’s best small batch beers, giving local brewers the chance to share their deep knowledge of the tastes and techniques used in microbrewing.
Plus, bespoke, discounted beer gift boxes or free gourmet platters will also be on offer for loyalty card members who collect stamps.
From October 15 to 21, The Barrel Vault will welcome several brewers, including Portobello, Redemption, Sambrook’s, Truman’s and Twickenham.
To celebrate the launch, they’ll also be directing the public to the newly opened pub by handing out a 50p discount off ale, and offering a selection of 150 beers throughout October — one for every year since the station opened.
What’s more, many of the beers available are associated with some of the calling points on the lines and routes, in towns and cities, accessible from St Pancras International station.
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