Epcot World Showcase - Beers of the World

[oasispaul]

Okay - I know I'm not the only one who participates in "Beers of the World" when visiting Epcot (also known as "Beers Around the World"). So let's have some good feedback on tips & strategy for enjoying this rather wonderful ritual. BOTW, done properly, can be an absolute WDW trip highlight. The keys are to 1) - participate with friends, but don't be afraid to pick up some new friends along the way, 2) chat with the different people in each "country" - they're all very friendly & you can learn a lot about them, their cultures, etc. Finally - 3) record your experience on film. There is nothing funnier than flipping through your BOTW pictures. You'll be surprised at how many people you apparently met and hung out with on the trip! well, i'll start the festivities...
This has turned into an annual tradition for yours truly - solely due to the fact that my old college roomate (and best man in my wedding) now lives in Orlando. This will be our 4th year of Beers of the World. We kicked it off in style with BOTW I - way back in March of 2001. We were relatively fresh out of college (22 years old), so we were confident we could make the trek around the world with no problems. Britain became our unofficial "home base" - for multiple reasons. 1) They simply have the best selection of beer & 2) I'm a huge british rock'n'roll fan - and there's nothing better than downing a couple of pints whilst chatting music with the lads - ps "mad fer it!". At any rate, we continually find ourselves beginning each BOTW in Britian - as well as finishing up each trip there - in the world famous rose & crown pub. favorite british bevvies include: boddingtons, bass, harp & guinness. and it's a tradition to down at least one car bomb (half pint guinness, shot glass w/ half-shot jamesons & half-shot baileys. drop shot glass into the pint glass, chug, and voila - you're half-way to a buzz). okay, this is getting a bit wordy, so i'll cut to the chase for the other countries:
Canada - I personally prefer Molson (canadian) to Moosehead.
Mexico - Dos Equis for me - i believe they offer tecate & possibly corona but c'mon - corona's are for yuppies who think it's fashionable to shove a lime their beer bottle. if you have to add fruit to your beer to achieve the maximum taste, maybe it's time to reconsider the way in which you choose beer (nothing against those fine belgium ales that are traditionally served with an orange slice). oh - and even though the "margaritas" are more snow cone than anything else - you've got to salt the rim of at least one.
Norway - ah, home of the 86-ounce beer and the Maelstrom. okay, maybe the thing isn't 86-ounces, but they offer beer in some of the largest plastic cups i've ever seen. can't remember the names of the beers, but the norwegians working there are very friendly & helpful - so they'll point you towards a winner. do NOT end your trip here, as the whole troll thing can really confuse/scare-the-crap-out-of-you when you're buzzed.
China - Tsing Tau i believe - a pretty good beer if I recall
Germany - another great beer stop. Becks is always nice - plus they have a jagermeister shot station (i think they also offer blackhaus there). the one thing that surprised me - i don't believe they offer warsteiner.
Italy - Peroni (i think that's what it's called). good beer, friendly people - i think we played soccer on the streets of italy for half an hour a couple of years ago - until the ball got kicked into the world showcase lagoon.
USA - what can you say? Sam Adams, Bud. okay, maybe we're not the world leaders when it comes to beer, but give us a break, we do chip in when it comes to technology & democracy.
Japan - sapparo & kirin ( i vote for kirin). do NOT decide to down a couple shots of sake - as you will inevitably end up in the japanese garden area, looking up at some bushes.
morocco - i believe it's actually called casablanca beer. i couldn't concentrate all that well, as i kept expecting indiana jones to appear at any moment.
France - france is famous for it's wine, not it's beer. not cool, france. not cool.

okay - hope this helped. i'd appreciate any feedback or fun BOTW stories if you have any!

 

[perpetualplanner]

Our last trip we tried but didn't make it far. We too started in Britain - we needed some fish and chips but with 2 kids it didn't last long so we switched to snacks around the world and ended up stuffed!!! This time we're talking about kids clubs so we'll see how far we'll get.

 

[UniversalAddict]

Pretty funny!! Especially about the Corona being yuppie beer. I have always said the same. Any beer you have to put fruit in to make taste good can't be all that good. And by the way putting fruit in Belguim beer is an American thing. They don't do that in Belgium and it is definitely NOT needed.

By the way, what is going rate for a pint these days? I haven't been to disney in a few years but it seems like every time we went they raised the price $0.50.

We never tried BATW - we usually end up sitting in England by the lagoon sipping Guiness.

You forgot to mention that you can get Beck's Dark in Germany. It's usually in the back where you can get pretzals and sauages. Also, I would love for there to be a bar in Germany where you could overlook the Octoberfest. Instead you have to have the buffet to see the show.

 

[Bill From PA]

Here's a list of beer prices from our last trip. The pints at Rose & Crown might be $6.50 now. Also, the R&C had just put in a Belgian beer called Stella Atrios when we were last there and it's great.

Beer, regular or dark - Half liter - $4.00, Liter $ Becks 7.45
Sommerfest Beck's Beer by the glass - $4.95/ $7.22
Kirin Beer, regular, light, Ichiban Draft - $4.25
Kirin Beer Ichiban 16 ounce bottle - $5.50
Sake - rice wine served warm - $3.95 & $7.50
Bass Ale, Caffrey's Irish Ale, Harp, Tennants Lager, and Guiness Stout - Souvenir Half Yard $11.00, Refill $6.00! , Imperial Pint $6.00, Half Pint$3.75
Imperial Sampler - Guiness Stout, Bass Ale, Harp, Tennants Lager and Caffrey's Irish Ale $8.25 - 5 six-oz. Dos Equis Lager Draft Beer - 16 ounces $4.95; 20 ounces $5.19
Bohemia Beer, Dox Equis Amber, Tecate Beer, or Sol Beer $4.25
Budweiser or Bud Light - $4.69
Samuel Adams - $4.24
Chinese Beer - $4.25

We'll be doing this on an informal basis in a few weeks. My 78 yr. old mom and 2 yr old grand daughter will be along so I'll have to keep the buzz mild in case I'm needed to change Pampers or Depends. We hop to Epcot every day when the EE park gets crowded so we'll spread this out over the whole week and try to sample ALL the brands offered there.

Bill From PA

 

[Kaycee]

We've been talking about doing this, but we've hit a major snag...America! DH refuses to drink Bud, even for the BOTW cause, and Sam Adams causes digestive problems best left undiscussed. Can we do a BOTW minus America? I mean, we're in America anyway, so could we just leave them off the tour then hop over to Big River Grille for an "American" beer?

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Originally posted by UniversalAddict
Any beer you have to put fruit in to make taste good can't be all that good. And by the way putting fruit in Belguim beer is an American thing. They don't do that in Belgium and it is definitely NOT needed.

.

Belgians have been brewing beer with fruit long before the US was even a country.

http://bjcp.org/styleguide20.html

 

[mlshields]

My hubby and I would love to do BOTW - but with a 10 yr old and a 7 yr old we won't be able too..... It is funny though every year the kids ask us why we spend sooooo much time in Germany!!! LOL - we use the excuse of Hubby's heritage.

It does help parents to have the kids do the family/kids crafts in each country - it does slow them down a little bit.

Have a great time!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry, but HAVE to have that orange slice in my Blue Moon. And that slice of lemon in my Hefweizen!!

It's nice to see at least some variety in these Epcot beers, but truth to tell there are lots of beers thay COULD have, but don't. I think a lot has to do with who helps sponser the particular country pavilion. Just as one example--Becks at Germany. I much prefer it to something like--let's say--Bud, but as german beers go it's WAY down the list.

 

[UniversalAddict]

Originally posted by Kaycee
We've been talking about doing this, but we've hit a major snag...America! DH refuses to drink Bud, even for the BOTW cause, and Sam Adams causes digestive problems best left undiscussed. Can we do a BOTW minus America? I mean, we're in America anyway, so could we just leave them off the tour then hop over to Big River Grille for an "American" beer?

You can do what ever you would like. Hey, I won't criticize you for skipping America. I would be very impressed if you could do evey county but america. But I really like your alternative - Big River Grille - I love their beer. I would think that would be a more than suitable alternative.

Bill From PA: Thanks for the price list. I think the prices actually went down from the last time I was there. I seem to remember a Guiness was $7. Looks like the liter of Becks is about the best deal.

Any idea how much the half yard holds?

 

[UniversalAddict]

Originally posted by 2infinityandbeyond
Belgians have been brewing beer with fruit long before the US was even a country.

http://bjcp.org/styleguide20.html

I didn't mean brewing with fruit - that's a whole other subject. I was refering to when fruit is served with the beer aka Corona. That's the Americanized part.

BYW- My favorite beer is Hefeweisen (WITHOUT the friut)

 

[phorsenuf]

This sounds pretty neat, right up my DH's alley! Is this an informal thing or actually a "tour" (forgive my ignorance).
This could be a fun thing to do on the nights the parks close early. WS is open every night until 9.
Hints, tips and how to do this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[beglluvr]

My DH did the BOTW in August and had the best time. We started in the Canada pavillion around 2:30 pm, stopped long enough to watch the Canada movie, ride Maelstrom and see the American adventure show and check out the countries a little bit. We were done around 8:00 and had to wait for Illuminations to start. BOTW does not have to be done like a marathon, but if you leave plenty of time to get around the lagoon, it would probably be more enjoyable. The down side... when we got to Mexico, my DH had a hard time finding a restroom (might have been the amount of alcohol in his system) and had to walk pretty far to find one. Then after Illuminations, it took him another 20 mins to find another one (again with the alcohol) and I had to wait for him in the middle of the crowd leaving the park. Not fun.

My suggestions to anyone who wants to do this - be sure you know where the restrooms are because you'll probably need one in almost every country. Also, save Illuminations for another night because being tipsy in that crowd could be dangerous.

DH can't wait to do it again in May! I think we'll start in Mexico this time.

 

[UniversalAddict]

No, there are no formal tours. I don't think Disney would sanction that - But hey - what a great business idea!!! Heck, I would do it for a few free beers.


Kidding aside - I think the whole idea of BATW is to just enjoy each country and what better way to enjoy it is while sipping a cold one. Just sit, walk around or do whatever and enjoy.

 

[QuickGold]

I just tried it last week on my trip and it's not worth it(at least not in one swoop). I started in Mexico and by Italy I was ready to pass out(and I'm a frat boy!). After a day of walking, the last thing you need to is to get tipsy...besides, sobering up at Epcot isn't the greatest thing.

 

[UniversalAddict]

Originally posted by QuickGold
I just tried it last week on my trip and it's not worth it(at least not in one swoop). I started in Mexico and by Italy I was ready to pass out(and I'm a frat boy!). After a day of walking, the last thing you need to is to get tipsy...besides, sobering up at Epcot isn't the greatest thing.

WIMP!!!! (just kidding)

 

[nicknamy1996]

Originally posted by beglluvr

My suggestions to anyone who wants to do this - be sure you know where the restrooms are because you'll probably need one in almost every country.

Hey that sounds like a whole new challenge! Every country?

We are trying to get a small group of our friends to go with us next year, we all have small children and my do the babysitter thing one night and do this.

I think for money reasons and the fact that neither one of us are heavy drinkers we would probably split a drink at each country.

She also mentions snacking at each country instead (with the kids) beaver tails, fish n chips, etc... Maybe we could switch off, that might take some pre-planning, but we could do a drinks at every other country and snacks at the opposite ones.

 

[Gluman11]

Nice work Oasis.............I absolutely loved your long worded BOTW thoughts............................I did a modified version of your trip about two weeks ago, but its kinda tough in between changing your kid's diapers..........next trip though, grandma and grandpa will be taking the little guy and the wife and I are going to BOTW........................that's a fact.........

And the Corona thing.....................hysterical........

I could be way off, but someone once told me that the "lime thing" in the Corona came for the authentic Mexican Bars, where they would put a lime (or other) on top of the beer bottle to keep the flies from getting in the bottle..............(never been to mexico personally, so I don't know how bad the bug problem is).....then it took the Yuppie tourists to come down and say "Hey that tastes pretty good".......and Voila, you have an American Tradtion of putting a lime in you Corona....................

<-------My wife after Canada and England.

 

[jimmalru80]

Not sure about the "Viking" size Ringnes in Norway. A good friend of mine was there in December, and all they were selling was the standard size cup. Anyone else know for sure??

 

[beglluvr]

Originally posted by nicknamy1996
Hey that sounds like a whole new challenge! Every country?

My DH met that challenge as well as the BOTW.

I was thinking of having a tshirt made for him after he did it - something like "I drank around the world at Epcot", but never did it... maybe next trip.

I say good luck to anyone that attempts it, I know I couldn't do it... I had a glass of wine in France and a frozen drink in Japan and that was enough for me.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Originally posted by UniversalAddict
I didn't mean brewing with fruit - that's a whole other subject. I was refering to when fruit is served with the beer aka Corona. That's the Americanized part.

BYW- My favorite beer is Hefeweisen (WITHOUT the friut)

Oops! I misunderstood what you meant by "fruit in the beer."

Any idea how the lemon in the hefe started? I drink mine without, too.