Best Beer in WDW

[Leota]

I used to be in pursuit of a really good wine with dinner, but for some reason, I have really gotten into our local microbrews.

Where in WDW are the best beers? I know Germany has a good choice. How are the beers at Big River? The food doesn't appeal to me too much tho. Does the Wave have some good beers, preferably micro / artisanal? Any other ideas?

 

[Wadecool]

I used to be in pursuit of a really good wine with dinner, but for some reason, I have really gotten into our local microbrews.

Where in WDW are the best beers? I know Germany has a good choice. How are the beers at Big River? The food doesn't appeal to me too much tho. Does the Wave have some good beers, preferably micro / artisanal? Any other ideas?

Let me preface my post by saying that we are taking our first trip in May so I don't know firsthand yet, but according to other posters, two excellent beers can be found from a great Canadian brewer Unibroue, at Le Cellier. The beers are La Fin Du Monde and Maudite. I have tried both and can definitely recommend them.

 

[GeorgeG]

I'm partial to the beers in Germany and the Bass Ale at Rose & Crown.

 

[si-am]

The Wave had interesting organic brews when we were there last August, but I read here recently that they have been replaced.

Raglan Road at DTD has a great selection; they also had a local brew on tap when we were there (from Orlando Brewing).

 

[captaindavidhook]

the beer in norway was great..i think it was called karlsberg..

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

Raglan Road has the best beer I've had on property, so far. I had a chocolate stout the last time I was there that was fantastic.

In the parks, the Germany pavilion has the best, though most of what I've tried there is good, but doesn't blow me away.

 

[Leota]

i think wdw needs a beer sommelier. i looked up the beers at the wave, thinking it would be the best place for a craft brew, with the whole local, seasonal eating thing....

they had a few micros listed, but when i ran them at beeradvocate, they didn't rate very well. the ones the offered that rated higher than a c were blue moon & newcastle brown ale.

I wonder if the signatures might have beeter brew offerings?

 

[Brocktoon]

Germany has changed the beer distributors, so I don't think there's anymore Spaten or Franziskaner ... I haven't really tried the new Radeberger or Altenmunster offerings, but it may be a step down.

There's really no mind-blowing brews to be found in WDW, but for dinkable beer.

- Unibroue brews (Le Fin du Monde etc ...) - Le Cellier

- Abita Turbodog on tap - The Wave

- Bottles of Dogfish 60 minute IPA, Bottles of Abita Turbodog - Almost any bar and many table service around WDW

- Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale - any of the bars and restaurants in the Poly

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I do like the Boddington's on tap at R&C.

Sorry to hear they replaced the beer distributor at the Germany pavilion. I used to enjoy the beer sampler at the Beirgarten.

I wasn't happy when they replaced the Ringes beer in Norway with Karlsberg (which I believe is Swedish).

 

[PoohsFan1]

I'm partial to the beers in Germany and the Bass Ale at Rose & Crown.

My DH will agree with you....he is the beer drinker and really loves the beer in Germany (we will be heading over to Epcot on our arrival day and he can't wait to get his mug of beer ). I, however, am more of a Grand Marinier, Margarita, or a glass of good French wine type of girl, but whenever my DH gets a Bass Ale from the U.K., I usually take a sip of his and then make him go buy himself a new one because I end up confiscating it

 

[Leota]

I forgot about the Kona Fire Rock. I'm pretty sure they have that at the Cabana Bar & Grill at the Dolphin. Which I totally forgot- seemed to have an excellent selection of beers. I was too intent of my Pineapple Mojitos to check them out last time we were there.

The whole beer thing is new. I thought I wasn't a beer girl because I was used to the bigger, commercial beers, even the better ones. But once I started trying some of local, small craft brews- it was like a Lightbulb went on! I couldn't believe beer could be that delicious! There were flavors happening that I never knew could exist in a beer.

 

[YoMickey]

my favorite beer at WDW is "COLD" beer.

Try the micro brewery on the Boardwalk. I've had the sampler there many times and end up choosing a pint of one of them with dinner.

 

[wolf29]

my favorite beer at WDW is "COLD" beer.

Try the micro brewery on the Boardwalk. I've had the sampler there many times and end up choosing a pint of one of them with dinner.

I do enjoy the brewery @ Boardwalk, but it is all produced by Biersch, not exactly a microbrew.

 

[Brocktoon]

The whole beer thing is new. I thought I wasn't a beer girl because I was used to the bigger, commercial beers, even the better ones. But once I started trying some of local, small craft brews- it was like a Lightbulb went on! I couldn't believe beer could be that delicious! There were flavors happening that I never knew could exist in a beer.

Welcome the great world of craft brews Beer styles are just as varied as wine, and probably even more complex. Just like there's a huge difference between a Pinot and a Reisling, you can't even compare a light 5% alcohol wheat beer to a 12%+ alc imperial stout. You really need to try many types of beer styles to find what's to your liking, and also try mnay versions of the styles you like. Some people love hop bitterness, while other like the sweetness from the malts. You can get a textured fruit lambic that almost tastes like champagne, or a super hopped IPA that tastes like liquid menthol. Comapre a malty Turbodog to a hoppy Dogfish IPA ... or a textured dark Fin Du Monde belgian to lighter Franzikaner wheat. It's all about finding what you like

The big commercial brews will alway use the marketing machine to tell people what they like, and that's not unique to the US. When I was over in England the pubs has some great stuff on tap, but 90% of the people were still drinking Budwieser and Heineken. If that's what they like, then I'm fine with it, but I do wonder how much of that preference was controlled by marketing.

 

[YoMickey]

so the brewery on the boardwalk doesn't make it there? I thought they did.

 

[si-am]

i think wdw needs a beer sommelier. i looked up the beers at the wave, thinking it would be the best place for a craft brew, with the whole local, seasonal eating thing....

they had a few micros listed, but when i ran them at beeradvocate, they didn't rate very well. the ones the offered that rated higher than a c were blue moon & newcastle brown ale.

I wonder if the signatures might have beeter brew offerings?

The beeradvocate people are super critical. I doubt they would rate highly anything Disney offers!

 

[Brocktoon]

so the brewery on the boardwalk doesn't make it there? I thought they did.

I'm pretty sure it's brewed on site, but it's a Gordon Biersch chain, so they probably have regid recipies they need to brew by. I'm not sure if they are allowed to brew any experimental batches now and then? Their beers aren't horrible, and for people trying new styles it think Big River is a good introduction. But, they play it very safe and there's probably nothing to find at Big River that would be considered a huge find

 

[Leota]

Welcome the great world of craft brews Beer styles are just as varied as wine, and probably even more complex. Just like there's a huge difference between a Pinot and a Reisling, you can't even compare a light 5% alcohol wheat beer to a 12%+ alc imperial stout. You really need to try many types of beer styles to find what's to your liking, and also try mnay versions of the styles you like. Some people love hop bitterness, while other like the sweetness from the malts. You can get a textured fruit lambic that almost tastes like champagne, or a super hopped IPA that tastes like liquid menthol. Comapre a malty Turbodog to a hoppy Dogfish IPA ... or a textured dark Fin Du Monde belgian to lighter Franzikaner wheat. It's all about finding what you like

The big commercial brews will alway use the marketing machine to tell people what they like, and that's not unique to the US. When I was over in England the pubs has some great stuff on tap, but 90% of the people were still drinking Budwieser and Heineken. If that's what they like, then I'm fine with it, but I do wonder how much of that preference was controlled by marketing.

I think I'm pretty lucky, geographically. We live near the Finger Lakes, which as well as having tons of small wineries, has a ton of very small breweries. Some of the favorites I've tried in local restaurants / pubs aren't available for retail outside going to the brewery itself. Like my current obsession - Naked Dove Windblown Ale. It's absolutely amazing! As is the Ithaca Brewing Co. Flower Power & the Southern Tier Phinn & Matt's Extraordinary Ale. Looking at my list, it looks like I'm a Pale Ale kinda gal. Is that sort of a normal jumping off point? I know with wine, I started with pretty easy drinkers & moved on from there.

Do you have any recommendations on Pale Ales in WDW for me?

 

[Brocktoon]

I think I'm pretty lucky, geographically. We live near the Finger Lakes, which as well as having tons of small wineries, has a ton of very small breweries. Some of the favorites I've tried in local restaurants / pubs aren't available for retail outside going to the brewery itself. Like my current obsession - Naked Dove Windblown Ale. It's absolutely amazing! As is the Ithaca Brewing Co. Flower Power & the Southern Tier Phinn & Matt's Extraordinary Ale. Looking at my list, it looks like I'm a Pale Ale kinda gal. Is that sort of a normal jumping off point? I know with wine, I started with pretty easy drinkers & moved on from there.

Do you have any recommendations on Pale Ales in WDW for me?

For a pale ale in WDW, I'd go with the Kona Fire Rock. I think you can also find Sierra Nevada in bottles, which while very common is still a decent pale ale. Lagers and pale ales are usually considered the gateway or starter beers. If you like Pale Ales, you may prefer the hops, so I'd recommend also checking out some IPAs which will have more hop flavor (try the Dogfish 60 minute IPA). If you like more sweetness, you can move towards amber/red ales and Scottish ales.

I love Southern Tier's stuff! They do a lot of unique brews. If you happen to come across them in your area, try the Big Red (imperial red), Creme Brulee (imperial vanilla stout), and Hoppe (imperial pale ale). These are all VERY STRONG (ie high alcohol) rare styles, that give an idea of what can be done with brewing.

 

[Leota]

For a pale ale in WDW, I'd go with the Kona Fire Rock. I think you can also find Sierra Nevada in bottles, which while very common is still a decent pale ale. Lagers and pale ales are usually considered the gateway or starter beers. If you like Pale Ales, you may prefer the hops, so I'd recommend also checking out some IPAs which will have more hop flavor (try the Dogfish 60 minute IPA). If you like more sweetness, you can move towards amber/red ales and Scottish ales.

I love Southern Tier's stuff! They do a lot of unique brews. If you happen to come across them in your area, try the Big Red (imperial red), Creme Brulee (imperial vanilla stout), and Hoppe (imperial pale ale). These are all VERY STRONG (ie high alcohol) rare styles, that give an idea of what can be done with brewing.

Well, I'm very lucky then - our local grocery store carries a good 4-5 varities of Southern Tier's brews.

I do like a certain amount of hoppiness - that gives it the floral / fruit sort of flavors right? I don't think I like them too overly hoppy tho - I had one at a local brewer (Rorbach) which was just out of balance with the hops, IMHO (And I am a total novice, so my opinion might be worth squat) It was almost perfumey & bitter. The bartender said it was very hoppy, so I always assumed I didn't like hops, but the Phinn & Matt's that has become my go to brew has 3 different varities of hops in it & it seems pretty nicely balanced to me.

I saw the Big Red at the store. I'll give that a try next.

Thanks! You have been a wealth of info. I have a wine guy at my local liquor store who helps me find stuff with the flavor profiles I like. I need a Beer Guy tho. There's so many to choose from & I hate to spend the money on a dud. I don't mind shelling out for a good one at all, but the duds really tick me off.