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| Com as minhas louras no California Adventure |
Uma das maiores molezinhas dos parques era a cerveja de graça oferecida nos parques da Anheuser-Busch (fabricante da Budweiser), o Sea World e o Busch Gardens. Havia lugares dedicados à cerveja onde os visitantes podiam tomar dois copos, mas esse limite era facilmente burlado porque o controle era praticado "no olho" e de maneira informal. Essa prática acabou no início de 2009, provavelmente para facilitar a venda da divisão de parques da Anheuser-Busch, que de fato foi comprada pelo grupo Blackstone meses depois. No ramo do "free beer" resta o Discovery Cove, que oferece cerveja gratuita e ilimitada o dia inteiro. Se bem que é difícil falar em "grátis" dado que o ingresso para esse parque tem um preço bem maior que os outros, totalmente compatível com uma experiência all-inclusive.
Obviamente, os lugares mais indicados para encontrar uma boa cerveja na Disney e na Universal são as áreas dedicadas à night (ou, usando o termo paulista, à balada): Downtown Disney e Boardwalk, no Walt Disney World e Citywalk, na Universal Orlando. Não vou ficar falando de todos os lugares pois esse não é o propósito deste post, mas eu destacaria o Irish Pub Raglan Road no Downtown Disney, o Big River Grille & Brewing Works (uma boa microcervejaria com comida mediana no Disney Boardwalk) e o Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, no Citywalk.Voltando aos parques, acho que vale mencionar o Finnegan's Bar & Grill, na Universal Studios, e o seu "5-beer sampler", cujo nome é auto-explicativo (se não entender pelo nome, basta olhar a foto ao lado). Outra vantagem do Finnegan's é que é um dos melhores lugares para se fazer uma refeição decente no Universal Studios, o que permite unir o útil ao agradável.
Mas o parque mais importante no que se refere a cerveja - e à gastronomia de forma geral - é mesmo o Epcot Center, especialmente nos bares e restaurantes temáticos dos países do World Showcase. O Disney Food Blog fez recentemente uma análise das cervejas oferecidas por cada um dos países que eu achei bem interessante. A análise original foi feita em duas partes, que eu reproduzi de forma condensada no texto abaixo.
Guest Review: Beers Around the World
La Rossa at Via Napoli in World Showcase's Italy
Perhaps my favorite thing to do in all of Disney is to take a stroll in Epcot’s World Showcase while enjoying my favorite adult beverage. Most of the time this is beer, and over the years I’ve tried each of the many brews offered throughout the World Showcase.
In preparation for this post, my team of experts conducted painstaking research, so that you may know what beer is available in each of the 11 pavilions. It was a tough job, especially for my liver, but somebody had to do it.
Mexico
Our adventure begins in the Mexico pavilion, where the research team visited La Cava del Tequila.
While tequila is the main attraction at La Cava, they also feature many of Mexico’s well-known beers. Sol, Bohemia, Tecate, Dos Equis Light, and Dos Equis Amber are all on the menu by the bottle.
I enjoyed a Dos Equis Amber, which features a nice body of flavor, and was ice cold. In fact, it was the coldest beer I’d have all day.
The Dos Equis Light and Amber
Norway
Next up for the team was Norway, where the only beverage cart hosted the limited selection of Bud Light, and Norway’s own Carlsberg on draft. As a Manchester United fan, it went against my being to order a Carlsberg, the long time sponsors of rival Liverpool, but I managed to set aside this objection for the sake of research.
The Carlsberg was medium-bodied, cold, and refreshing, which was welcome since the Florida sun was beating down upon us.
Carlsberg draft in Norway
China
In Epcot’s world, China is adjacent to Norway on the map. There we found Budweiser and Yuengling on draft, as well as Tsing Tao by the bottle.
While Yuengling is one of my favorite beers, don’t let the Asian sounding name fool you; it’s brewed in Pennsylvania. So in keeping with the international theme of the day, we enjoyed a Tsing Tao, whose noticeably rice flavor gave a different, yet crisp taste.
Tsing Tao in China
Germany
Following our trip to China, we made our way back to Europe, to a country that some say is synonymous with beer: Germany.
There are two walk-up locations serving Germany’s finest: the Radeberger Pilsner and the Altenmunster Oktoberfest. I opted for the latter, and enjoyed its stout flavor, which was a big contrast to the Tsing Tao in China. It seems that the offerings change quite often, as I recently enjoyed a Spaten here, but found it missing from the menu.
The decorative beer cart in Germany
Italy
After enjoying a few minutes in the shops of Germany, we made the short trip over to Italy.
While better known for their wine, Moretti fills the role of Italian beer nicely. Light and crisp, the Moretti was very refreshing, but was a bit warm to be fully enjoyed. In talking with some fellow “Beer Around the World” enthusiasts, we learned that the Moretti La Rossa is also available in Italy’s new eatery Via Napoli.
The Moretti modeling in Italy
After several hours of tedious research, the combination of the Florida sun and beer had begun to take its toll. So the research team and I decided to head back to our hotel where we would take in a much needed nap. Feeling refreshed and ready to complete our “Around the World” journey, we returned to Epcot and picked up where we had left off, which was halfway around the “World” in…..well, America.
America
We entered the American pavilion’s Liberty Inn, where Bud Light and Samuel Adams Boston Lager were both available on draft. While either of those would have been an acceptable choice, I decided to wait on ordering as my gut told me something better lay on the horizon.
My patience soon paid off, as I was astonished to find Sam Adams “Boston Brick Red” on draft at a nearby ice cream cart. The beautiful amber color of this beer was only surpassed by its incredible body of flavor. I later was told that this beer has been limited in distribution to only Boston area bars, which makes finding it in the World Showcase that much more impressive.
The Samuel Adams Boston Brick Red
Japan
Next we journeyed back across the Pacific to the Japanese pavilion. There we found on draft Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light, available at both the Yakitori House counter service, as well as a beverage stand outside the pavilion.
In contrast to the Tsing Tao we found at the Chinese pavilion, Kirin Ichiban features a smooth and crisp flavor, which to many, myself included, would be hard to identify as Asian.
Kirin Ichiban meditating next to Japan’s Koi pond
Morocco
Resisting the intense urge to have dinner at Japan’s Teppan Edo, our research team stayed focused to the cause by moving on to Africa and the Morocco pavilion.
Given I had never heard of a Moroccan beer, it did not surprise me to find Casablanca (Casa) as the only option available, as well as the old standbys of Bud, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra. I found the Casa to be rather dry in flavor, and it was the first time all day I wished I had ordered something different.
“We’ll always have Paris…”
France
Following Morocco, the team and I made the short journey across the Mediterranean to France. Ordering a beer in this pavilion would be a first for me, as I’m usually drawn to the irresistible Grey Goose Slushie.
Sticking to the task at hand, I ordered the Kronenbourg 1664 and found it light and refreshing. Like Morocco, this was the only option for beer, but this is forgivable, as limiting their selection leaves more room for bottles of Grey Goose.
With everything listed above it, it’s no wonder this was my first Kronenbourg.
United Kingdom
Next we traveled across the English Channel to beer lover’s Utopia, the United Kingdom. We paid a visit to the beer stand outside Rose & Crown, which featured Stella Artois and Bass on draft, as well as Guinness by the can.
I ordered a pint of Bass, which in full disclosure has always been my favorite beer (ale). Its familiar taste always brings a smile to my face, especially when I hear The British Invasion (now known as The English Channel) playing in the background.
Two of my favorite things...A Bass and the Rose & Crown
In addition to the Rose and Crown beverage stand, there are a few other outlets for beer in the U.K. Those stopping at the Fish and Chips stand for a snack will find pints of Bass and Harp available on draft.
Inside the Rose and Crown bar, one will find a lively atmosphere, and several other excellent brews on draft such as Boddingtons and Guinness. Needless to say, with so many great options for beer, the research team was delayed in the U.K. for quite some time, but I was determined to complete our journey.
Menu at Rose and Crown Beer Stand
Canada
Finally, we reached the final destination on our “Beers Around the World” tour, and visited our friendly neighbors to the North: Canada. Outside the Le Cellier Steakhouse we found the pavilion’s beverage stand, where Moosehead, Moosehead Light, and Labatt Blue are carried on draft.
I enjoyed a Moosehead, which features a mild and straightforward taste that I might have appreciated more had it not been preceded by my beloved Bass. For those visiting during theEpcot Food & Wine Festival, I find that a Moosehead and the Maple Glazed Salmon make a perfect pairing.
The beer offerings in Canada
After a full day of painstaking research, I’m confident that my team and I left no tap unpulled in our quest to examine the beers of Epcot’s World Showcase. Whether you visit all 11 countries like us, or just a few here and there, it certainly is hard to beat the combination of Disney, friends, and beer. And so with the journey now complete, I ask….
