Abbey Line CRP Marks 20 Years with a Brew Honouring the Abbey Flyer
and Its Feathered Neighbours!
As part of the nationwide celebrations marking Railway 200, and our 20th anniversary, the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is proud to celebrate with a unique collaboration that brings together rail heritage, wildlife, and local craft brewing.
We have teamed up with Pope’s Yard Brewery in North Watford to commission a special guest beer, inspired by the Abbey Flyer—the affectionate nickname for the branch line running from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey Station.
The beer also pays tribute to the Peregrine Falcons nesting atop St Albans Cathedral – the true Abbey Flyers.

Peregrine Chicks on Lower Roof. Image credit: Michael Barrett

Artists impression of the Abbey Flyer beer pump clip. Image credit: Nick Thompson
The beer’s artwork, designed by Nick Thompson from Lemondrop Creative, channels the elegance of the 1920s and 30s, reflecting the golden age of rail travel and the soaring grace of the Peregrines. The brew will debut at the St Albans Beer & Cider Festival, held from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th September 2025.
Festival visitors can meet members of the Abbey Line CRP at our stand, where we’ll be raising awareness of the Abbey Line railway and also celebrating the work of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and local conservation efforts supporting the cathedral’s resident Peregrines.
This initiative marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between the CRP and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, with the shared goal of promoting biodiversity along the Abbey Line.

A previous St Albans Beer and Cider Festival. Image credit: St Albans Beer and Cider Festival

Barbara Leenen checking the brew. Image credit: Pope’s Yard Brewery
Supporting local businesses like Pope’s Yard Brewery – that has had to relocate due to a fire- is also part of the CRP’s commitment to local economic development.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this celebration,” said Barbara Leenen from Pope’s Yard Brewery. “We’ve relocated to a very old industrial building that used to have its own railway siding off the Abbey Line. So, it’s wonderful to collaborate and brew something that honours both our new neighbour and the wildlife around it.”
Steve Cavinder, Abbey Line CRP Chair, added: “This beer is a toast to 20 years of community rail and a future where sustainable transport and biodiversity go hand in hand.”
Emma Norrington, from Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said: “The Peregrines are a powerful symbol of urban wildlife. We’re excited to work with the CRP to promote wildlife conservation along the Abbey Line.”
John Tubridy, St Albans Beer & Cider Festival organiser, said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to debut this exciting new beer at our event, and play our part in a great local and national celebration. Any new brew from Pope’s Yard always creates excitement among beer enthusiasts, and I’m expecting this one to be very popular indeed when we open on 24th September.”
The Abbey Line CRP is funded by London Northwestern Railway, which runs the branch line between St Albans Abbey and Watford, offering connections to London and the North.
Raise a glass to 200 years of railways, 20 years of community rail, and a future where trains and wildlife thrive together.

Stunning Abbey Flyer beer label artwork. Image credit: Nick Thompson

The 'Abbey Flyer' train leaving St Albans. Image credit: Ricky Barnett