We introduce an exactly-solvable model of random walk in random environment that we call the Beta RWRE. This is a random walk in which performs nearest neighbour jumps with transition probabilities drawn according to the Beta distribution. We also describe a related directed polymer model, which is a limit of the q-Hahn interacting particle system. Using a Fredholm determinant representation for the quenched probability distribution function of the walker’s position, we are able to prove second order cube-root scale corrections to the large deviation principle satisfied by the walker’s position, with convergence to the Tracy–Widom distribution. We also show that this limit theorem can be interpreted in terms of the maximum of strongly correlated random variables: the positions of independent walkers in the same environment. The zero-temperature counterpart of the Beta RWRE can be studied in a parallel way. We also prove a Tracy–Widom limit theorem for this model.