BBQ & Brews Dinner Train
Here’s something new: for its 25th anniversary year, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has added a BBQ & Brews Dinner Train.
The barbecue will be slow-cooked and the beer provided by two local companies: Nantahala Brewing Company (on the July 6, 2013, train) and Heinzelmaennchen Brewery (featured June 29 and July 13, 2013).
The train departs from Bryson City, North Carolina (map) at 7 p.m., arriving at the Fontana Trestle “just around sunset”. Return to Bryson City is 9 p.m. Admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum is included with ticket purchase.
It’s an adults-only trip. Tickets start at $69 and include a souvenir tasting glass for three samples of the beer selections featured. Also included is a dinner of a pulled pork BBQ sandwich with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce on pretzel roll, a bag of Vicki’s original Kettle Chips, homemade coleslaw, fresh grapes, and key lime pie for dessert.
Brewery employees will be on hand throughout the train ride to educate riders about the process required for crafting each brew. Additional beer will be available for purchase on board the train.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a member of American Heritage Railways, which also includes the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado.