Three Cheers to Friends & Beers!
Three Cheers to Friends & Beers!
At Amtrak San Joaquins, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite times of the year. In fact, we tend to call it “Friendsgiving” because it’s the best time of the year to get together with old friends who are back in town. The best way we’ve found to spend time with old friends is by embarking on new adventures together. One adventure that is sure to please the palate is the Downtown Fresno Ale Trail – a collection of Fresno-based breweries and tasting rooms located in the Brewery District of Downtown Fresno.
The Ale Trail, located a half mile from the Fresno Amtrak Station, is a great way to experience the Brewery District and win free prizes. To maximize the experience, we suggest you pick up an Ale Trail Passport at any of the four participating breweries. Once you buy a beer and get your passport stamped at each of the breweries, you can redeem your passport for some Ale Trail swag by visiting any of the breweries or the Downtown Fresno Partnership office.
The growing Brewery District has the largest concentration of walkable breweries anywhere in the Region and offers a unique experience you can’t get anywhere else in the Valley. The breweries often have food trucks and live entertainment while serving some of the best, most unique beer in town. The Passport also has a list of downtown restaurants that serve locally crafted beer.
You can enjoy the Ale Trail any day of the week, but the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following Thanksgiving promise to be among the best Ale Trail days of the year.
Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden
Tioga Sequoia Brewing makes world-class beer and features an indoor/outdoor beer garden, while raising awareness about conservation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Enjoy a game of corn hole during the day or cozy up next to a fire pit in the evening.
Highlights:
- Family Friendly
- Dog friendly
- Outside food welcome
- Frequent food trucks
- Tours available
Can’t Miss Beers
- Half Dome Wheat (with Stone Fruit)
- Double Dry Hopped General Sherman IPA
- 99 Golden Ale
- Firefall Red
- Zorro Especial Mexican Lager
- 3 versions of Autumnus, only released during the Fall:
- Original
- Coconut Autumnus
- Chocolate/Vanilla Autumnus
Zack’s Brewing Co.
Zack’s Brewing specializes in cheese-flavored beer, and features a bar with indoor and outdoor seating and a live music venue featuring local artists.
Highlights:
- Dog friendly
- Family friendly
- Shuffleboard & more
- Outside food welcome
- Frequent food trucks
Can’t Miss Beers
- So You Bend… And Snap Blonde Ale
- Tropic of the Day Sour Berliner Weisse
- Crusin’ for a Blues’n American IPA
- Exzacktly Nelson Imperial IPA
- Just Roll With It Pumpkin Beer
Full Circle Brewing Co.
Breathing new life into an old brewery, you can taste the passion, commitment and love in every glass and can!
Highlights:
- Family friendly
- Outside food welcome
- Tours available
Can’t Miss Beers
- Captain Save a Hop Hazy Pale Ale
- Pina Bomb NE DIPA
- Creamzilla Vanilla Cream Ale
- Illa Vanilla Milkshake IPA
- Lime:30 Lager
559 Beer at Joe’s Steakhouse
Joe’s Steakhouse & Grill features six rotating taps on draft from 559 Beer, as well as its famous steaks, burgers, and more!
Highlights:
- Family friendly
- Full menu
Can’t Miss Beers
- Wawona Peach Ale
- Clovis Independence Ale
- Raisin Farmer Ale
- Fig Garden Stout
- California 559 Ale
To get to the Brewery District, just take the Amtrak San Joaquins train to the Fresno station, then walk or rideshare a half-mile southwest to the Brewery district. Skip the traffic and relax during the train ride (let us be your designated driver) to Fresno or pre-game by sampling some of the craft beers on the train and planning which brewery you’d like to try first!
Pro tip: check our website for money-saving opportunities, like the Share Fares promotion that can help you save up to 45% off your total ticket prices if you’re traveling in a group and buying your tickets at least two days in advance!
