Avanti West Coast serves up final batch of limited-edition pies
Limited-edition pies crafted using a local ale brewed exclusively for Avanti West Coast available for one more week.
- Final week to try limited-edition steak and ale pie from Autumn First Class menu
- Pie crafted with local beer brewed exclusively for Avanti West Coast
- Special baked dish celebrates flavours from West Coast Main Line
Avanti West Coast is serving up its last batch of limited-edition pies this week crafted using a local ale brewed exclusively for the railway.
The Steak and Tilting Ale pie, which has been made specially for the train operator, is on offer to customers travelling in First Class until Tuesday 2 December.
It features beef cooked with Tilting Ale – a beer produced for Avanti West Coast by RedWillow Brewery in Macclesfield – which is served in a shortcrust pastry case and topped with diced potato. A side of pickled red onion accompanies the baked dish.
The idea for the pie came from the train operator’s catering team to use an existing product to create something special for its onboard food offering.
The new comfort food, which was developed with local suppliers, offers customers travelling in First Class the chance to sample the flavours of Tilting Ale – a pale ale with a light hoppy taste that is available in the onboard shop.
Over 59,000 individual pies have been baked for the Autumn First Class menu, which launched in September and will make way for new seasonal dishes in early December.
Rob Taylor, Food and Beverage Development Manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re pleased to have brought the taste of Titling Ale to even more customers onboard our trains. Creating a new item for our First Class menu gave us the chance to bring together different suppliers and make something unique. This collaboration supports our commitment to championing small businesses and showcasing the best of the West Coast.
“Our Steak and Tilting Ale pie has been a firm favourite, and we hope more customers enjoy the West Coast’s taste of autumn before we welcome our new seasonal menu.”
Caroline McKenzie, Owner and Co-Founder of RedWillow Brewery, said: “We’re delighted to see Tilting Ale enjoyed in a completely new way. It’s a beer we brew exclusively for Avanti West Coast, so to have it celebrated in a dish that showcases local flavours feels like a perfect fit. As a small independent brewery, we love collaborations like this that bring great food and great beer together for customers on the West Coast Main Line.”
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About RedWillow Brewery
RedWillow Brewery is an award-winning independent craft brewery based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, founded in 2010 by Toby and Caroline McKenzie. Known for its balanced, flavour-driven beers and consistent quality, RedWillow brews a diverse range of cask, keg, and canned beers – including Tilting Ale, made exclusively for Avanti West Coast. The brewery also runs bars and a taproom across Cheshire and Derbyshire and supplies pubs and venues nationwide.
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333