‘Drinking Around the World’ a popular activity at Epcot

English: Epcot Spaceship Earth Walt Disney World Orlando 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tourists stream into central Florida during the summer to visit the many attractions built in and around the Orlando area. Undeterred by the pounding heat, they queue up for attractions at Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. But, not all are seeking the newest thrill ride or attraction; some are seeking relief from the relentless heat and humidity by quenching their thirst with cold beverages from around the world. And there is no better place to accomplish this feat than Walt Disney World’s Epcot.

In Walt Disney’s original vision for Epcot, the park would be a model of synchronistic living. It would showcase how people could live, work, and play in the same community using eco-friendly means. But, after his death, the park took on a much different look. It became more of a showcase of innovations and of world cultures than a community.

It is the World Showcase half of Epcot that provides the venue for the popular activity known as “Drinking Around the World.” The idea is to have an alcoholic drink, in this case beer, in each of the 11 countries surrounding the World Showcase lagoon at Epcot. Considering that each beer will cost anywhere from $6 to $10, this could be an expensive undertaking. But to those who take up the mission, it can also provide a number of insights into the beer that people drink around the world. Because 11 alcoholic drinks over the span of six to eight hours can have quite an impact on your sobriety, it is suggested that you have a designated driver for the end of the evening.

Traveling counter-clockwise around the World Showcase lagoon, you will encounter Canada first, followed the United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, the United States, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. Each country is represented by an area designed and built to imitate the architecture of its host and are populated by cast members from that country as well.

Canada

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Canada with over 46% of the adult beverage market. Canada’s oldest independent brewery is Moosehead, located in Saint John, New Brunswick. The brewery was founded in 1867 by Susannah Oland and is still operated by the Oland family, now in the sixth generation of ownership under Derek Oland. Moosehead is also one of the brews you can try in the Canada pavilion at Epcot.

Moosehead is a lager style brew that presents a sweet, grain aroma and crisp, moderately malty taste. It is a refreshing and balanced brew perfect for quenching the thirst of vacationing guests as well as taking the edge of the Florida heat. Canada also serves Molson and Labatt Blue, and occasionally Unibroue products like La Fin du Monde and Maudite.

United Kingdom

England is well known for its love of beer in all its glory. Pubs are a way of life for many Brits and a pint or two and the end of the day is a ritual many would not think of foregoing. Epcot provides guests with an authentic pub experience at the Rose & Crown pub complete with traditional pub foods and beers. Behind the bar a British lad or lass will cheerily and properly draw you a Guinness, Boddington’s, Bass, Harp, or Stella lager. Or, if you are in the mood for something a little different, you can get a Strongbow hard cider. Whatever your choice, be sure to raise your pint high before your first sip and give your barkeep a hearty, “Cheers!”

France

The French have mastered the art of fine dining and elegance. In Epcot you can choose from two award-winning French restaurants and a patisserie. But, the French have never really been known for their beers which is a shame because they have several interesting brews that should definitely be tried. At Epcot there is only one beer available to sample, but it is one of those worth a try.

Kronenbourg 1664 is a pale lager that clock in at 5.9% ABV. The brewery was founded in 1664 by Geronimus Hatt in Strasbourg as the Hatt Brewery. The name comes from the area, Cronenbourg, where the brewery relocated in 1850 and the year the original brewery was founded. As with most lagers, the brew has a sweet, grainy aroma punctuated with grassy hops. The taste is mildly bitter with sweet corn and grain notes. The brew is highly drinkable with a light mouthfeel.

Morocco

It is somewhat puzzling that there is a Moroccan beer available since Islam, which strictly forbids any form of alcohol,  is the majority religion in Morocco. But never-the-less Casablanca beer is readily available at stores until 8:00 p.m. in the evening. Casablanca lager, brewed in its namesake city,  is a generic, inoffensive brew that is rather unremarkable in both aroma and flavor. The aroma has hints of grain and herbs, while the flavor is sweet from the grains, but thin and somewhat watery.

Japan

Those who patronize Japanese restaurants will be familiar with most of the beer choices in the Japanese pavilion of Epcot. Kirin Ichiban and Ashai are the two predominant brews available. But, if you are looking for something a little different, go in to the Japanese department store and work your way all the way to the back where there is a saki tasting bar. Along with the saki, they occasionally have Ginga Kogen beer.

Ginga Kogen started as a project in 1998 to economically develop Sawauchi village in Iwate prefecture, by Isao Nakamura who established Higashinihonhouse Co., Ltd. The beer is an unfiltered, German-style heffeweizen, with an abundance of fruit on the nose and the rich banana flavors you  would expect from the style. At $10 per bottle though, it is an expensive indulgence. Still, you may want to give it a try for the novelty.

United States

The beer choices here are limited you could choose a mass-produced macro lager or Sam Adams. Occasionally you will find seasonal offerings from Sam Adams here as well.

Italy

Like the French, Italians are not really known for their beer. The only choices available in this pavilion are Birra Moretti and Peroni. Both are inoffensive lagers, but nothing special. Still, to accomplish your mission of drinking beers around the world, grab a Peroni and enjoy the crisp and slightly bitter flavor before heading on.

Germany

When conversation turns to beer, Germany is almost always part of the discussion. With a history steeped in beer-making the Germans have become undisputed masters of the craft. And, at the Germany pavilion you can sample several examples of German craftsmanship as you peruse a shop filled with steins, das boots, and all manner of German drinking vessels.

The German pavilion changes their beers out rather often but there are several staples that are generally available. On a recent visit, Radeberger Pilsner was being served. With an ABV of only 4.8% this pilsner is an excellent thirst quencher as well as a good choice for tis stage of your “Drinking Around the World” expedition. It is a classic example of the pilsner style and is slightly bitter with a crisp, clean finish.

Other brews that are often available at the pavilion include Warsteiner, Spaten Oktoberfest, and Altenmunster Oktoberfest.

China

There is only one Chinese beer choice in China and it is Tsingtao. This is an adjunct lager similar to American lagers, but not as flavorful. It is drinkable, but not really all that noteworthy.

Norway

Copenhagen, Denmark is home to the Carlsberg Group makers of Carlsberg lager. Carlsberg was founded by J. C. Jacobsen and his first brew was finished on November 1847. While not technically a Norwegian beer, the brewery has been owned by Norwegian conglomerate Orkla ASA since January 2001.

As is the case with many European pale lagers, Carlsberg has a slightly skunked smell and flavor, but is otherwise a pleasant enough lager.

Mexico

Cerviceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma has the distinction of brewing many of Mexico’s most popular brews. Tacate, Dos Equis, Sol, and Bohemia are all brewed there. They are also all lagers with Bohemia being the best of the group. Bohemia is a Mexican pilsner with a nice bouquet, slightly bitter and crisp finish. It is, like most pilsners, a great beer to drink very cold on a very hot day.

 

Five beers to enjoy with the 2012 Olympics

200 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Friday, July 27, the 2012 Olympic Games will open in London, England. . Viewers who watch the opening ceremony on television can expect oodles of pageantry and eye-popping visuals. With a bar set very high four years ago by China, there are great expectations for London’s opening festivities.  The show is to be directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle and feature appearances by Daniel Craig as James Bond 007 and Sir Paul McCartney.

If tradition holds, the broadcast is sure to be iconic and very long, which means that you will likely need some refreshing beverages to bolster your viewing stamina. In keeping with the worldly atmosphere of the Olympics, why not drink beers from the five countries with the most athletes participating in the games: Great Britain, with 541 athletes; the United States, with 530 athletes, Russia, with 436 athletes, Germany, with 391 athletes, and China, with 380 athletes.

United Kingdom

The Olympic host country is no stranger to great beer. As a matter of fact, there was great controversy over Heineken’s designation of Official Olympic Beer Sponsor. But, Londoners have nothing to worry about with so many great beers to choose from. One of those outstanding brews is Fuller’s London Pride.

Three of the beers brewed by Fuller’s have been named as Champion Beer of England, a feat that has never been matched. The Griffin Brewery, where Fuller’s is brewed in Chiswick has been in operation for over 350 years. But, it was not until 1845 when the partnership of Fuller, Smith & Turner was formed and Fuller’s came into existence.

Fuller’s London Pride is the company’s flagship brand and is a mahogany colored bitter. The beer is best known in England in its 4.1% cask conditioned form, but is also sold in the UK and worldwide in 4.7% pasteurized bottles. The brew has a sweet malty and caramel aroma with smooth, sweet malts, biscuit, and caramel flavors followed by just a hint of hops.

United States

In the past 20 years, the United States has experienced a true renaissance in its beer industry. The big boys that produce millions of barrels of macro lager have seen their market share shrink and defect to the tastier craft brew upstarts. At last count, the Brewers’ Association listed over 2,000 craft beer breweries in the U.S. One brewery has made a name for itself with off-beat brews that stretch the imagination. Recently Dogfish Head collaborated with Internet giant Google to create a “worldly beer;” the result was Urkontinent.

The brewery sent team to collect five ingredients from five different continents including; wattleseed from Australia, toasted amaranth from South America, rooibos tea from Africa, myrica gale from Europe and honey from the United States. The result of careful brewing of these ingredients is a complex and exciting Belgian Dubbel that treats the drinker to coffee and chocolate-covered cherry flavors.

Russia

In Russia vodka is definitely the king of alcoholic drinks with an average of five liters of the potent potable consumed by each adult every year. But, beer is a close second for favored alcoholic drinks in the former USSR. Beer in Russia is categorized by color rather than fermentation process: Light, Red or Semi-Dark and Dark. Light is more or less equivalent to Lager and the last two are close to Ales. Based in St. Petersburg, Russia, Baltika is the number one Russia exported beer with the second largest brewery in Europe.

Baltika #3 Classic is billed as a classic example of an American Lager and the aroma of sweet corn and low hops tends to find that statement true. The flavor is similar to the aroma, it is very crisp with a corn-like sweetness, very low hops flavor, and moderately-low hops bitterness. The overall balance is just slightly towards the bitter side with a dry finish.

Germany

If there is one country that epitomizes great beer other than Belgium, it is Germany. These folks are so serious about their beer they passed the Reinheitsgebot, sometimes called the “German Beer Purity Law.” This regulation concerning the production of beer in Germany originally allowed only water, barley, and hops to be used in the production of beer. After its discovery by Louis Pasteur, yeast became the fourth legal ingredient. The law, though obsolete, is still more or less followed by many German breweries. One beer that still adheres to the law is Gaffel Koelsch.

In 1396 Gaffels, the political arms of tradesman’s guilds, staged a peaceful revolution to bring new ideas to the city of Cologne, Germany. It is for these men Gaffel Koelsch is named. Gaffel pours like a lager clear and light golden with a white foamy head. It even tastes a bit like a German Lager with light malt characteristics, slight sweetness, and minimum hops. But, it is in the softer, creamier mouthfeel that this ale gives itself up.

China

The world’s most populated nation also has a thirst for German-style lagers. With over 1.3 billion citizens on mainland China alone, that is a lot of beer drinkers. One fo the most popular brews in China is Tsingtao.

The beer is produced in Qingdao in Shandong, and it gets its name from the a French transliteration of the city’s name. It is a well-hopped standard pilsner and is the breweries flagship brew. Originally, Tsingtao Beer was brewed in accordance with the German Reinheitsgebot the recipe changed. Now, like many other beers made in China, Tsingtao Beer contains less-expensive rice as an adjunct in the mash. The beer’s current logo displays an image of Zhan Qiao, a famous pier on Qingdao’s southern shore.

Related articles

• Heineken raises ire of some Brits for official beer of Olympics designation (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)
• Heineken, official Olympic beer, condemned by British politician/pub advocate (sports.yahoo.com)
• London 2012 Olympics: small bottle of beer at Games will cost £4.20 as organisers reveal food and drink prices (telegraph.co.uk)
• Beer At The London Olympics Will Be Expensive (sbnation.com)
• Drinking beer at the London Olympics will cost you (worldnews.msnbc.msn.com)
• Munich’s best beer gardens (telegraph.co.uk)

 

Lola’s Burrito Joint Set to Open This Week in Riverside

Just last week Beer:30 opened on King Street in the Beer District, this week another new place is opening with an incredible array of beers and a menu to knock you socks off. Lola’s Burrito Joint will offer the name-sake burritos, but it will also offer an array of foods described by Carlos Ramirez, chef and partner, as Latin street food. The restaurant is the brainchild of Ramirez and the team responsible for Carmine’s Pie House a few blocks down King Street.

The interior of the new watering hole cum restaurant is a lively mishmash of Latin influences with a centerpiece of a mannequin astride a motorcycle. It is vibrant, exciting, and definitely outside the usual. Bright reds, and yellows adorn the walls and Latin murals, paintings and artwork abound.

But, even the best restaurant cannot survive on looks alone. Fortunately, Lola’s has an outstanding menu as well. Look for empanadas, quesadillas, tacos, and wings as well as a bevy of burritos. And don’t forget the beer. Lola’s will host over 50 taps including two very unique Unibroue towers with Blanche de Chambly, Blonde de Chambly, Maudite, and Ephemere flowing through them.

Ramirez says the name is the result of a brainstorming session, “We were looking for a name with presence; Lola’s seemed to have it.” He says that the new restaurants, “Wants to be conscious to the neighborhood. Keeping true to the legacy of Riverside.”

Ramirez plans to have the doors open later this week to welcome his new neighbors and begin making his mark.

 

Gnome Week Celebrated with Multiple Events in Jax

There has been a recent uptick of interest in all things gnome. From the animated movie Gnomeo & Juliet to the photos circulating the Internet of zombified gnomes attacking helpless garden flamingos, gnomes are on a roll. This week the hype comes to its pinnacle, June 6-9 is gnome week and the 6,666^th anniversary of gnomes discovering the magic water that brews magical beers. And, there are a number of celebrations taking place throughout Jacksonville to commemorate the illustrious occasion.

Gnomes are widely considered mystical spirits of magic and alchemy that were first mentioned in the 16^th century by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus. He described them as just two spans high (about two feet), reluctant to interact with humans, and able to move through solid rock as easily as we m,ove through air. They are often associated with mines or underground streams. According to legend, a village of gnomes discovered that the waters of Cedrogne Spring in what would become Belgium had magical properties. It was said that the water could heal numerous ailments so the gnomes soon began using the water to brew beer. Naturally, that beer held on to the magical properties of the water.

This week, come drink with Carolyn Graham of Brown Distributing, she will be hosting several events where there will be beer born of that ancient spring in Belgium from  Brassiere d’Achouffe. The fun begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday.

Wednesday, June 6
Engine 15 Brewing Company from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tastings of several brews from Brassiere d’Achouffe.

Thursday, June 7
Cork & Keg from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
More great brew to taste.

Friday, June 8
Total Wine & More from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Brassiere d’Achouffe poured by Marc Wisdom, Jacksonville Craft Beer Examiner and I Know Jax’s the Beer Guy.

Pele’s Wood Fire
Gnome Gnights three-course dinner with beer pairings for just $30.

Saturday, June 9
Whole Foods from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More samples and more fun!

Pele’s Wood Fire
Gnome Gnights three-course dinner with beer pairings for just $30.

So, get out your pointy hats, groom your curly white beards, and come taste several of the brews from Brassiere d’Achouffe. You are sure to leave whistling a happy tune – or was that dwarves who did that?

 

Cinco de Mayo, Was Not Always About Beer

One 4-pack and one can of the Mexican beer, Dos Equis (XX) ‪Norsk (bokmål)‬: En 4-pakning og en boks av det meksikanske ølmerket, Dos Equis (XX) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Somehow, in the mists of time, the true reason for Cinco de Mayo has morphed from a minor Mexican holiday – it celebrates a little-known Mexican victory over France in the state of Puebla — to a major American beer bash. That is not a complaint, merely an observation of the power of the American beer industry. But, what most beer lovers do not know is that many of the Mexican beers that feature red, white, and green color schemes, brightly smiling and beautiful Mexican women, and serene beach scenes, are really German styles brought to our Latin neighbor by Bavarian immigrants as far back as the middle 1500’s.

Fermented beverages are nothing new to Mexico; history provides plenty of examples of beverages being made from such familiar ingredients as maize (corn), agave, and even cocoa beans. But, the first evidence of beer comes from a short-lived brewery established by Alfonso de Herro in the 1940’s. This was well before the first breweries were established in either North America or Canada and establishes Mexico as the home of the first home to beer in the Americas.

From there the history of beer in Mexico jumps ahead to the 1800’s. The influx of Bavarian immigrants saw the beginnings of the beer industry and the birth of many of the familiar brands we now consider Mexican beer. Brews such as Corona, Negra Modelo, Dos Equis, and Sol all owe their existence to German brewers, living in Mexico.
Indeed, all are recognizable European beer styles that, for one reason or another, fell out of favor in Europe, but found great approval south of the U.S. border.

Negra Modelo

A Munich Dunkel Lager, the name simply means dark lager. This smooth and sessionable brown lager displays subtle caramel character, a sweet and malty backbone, and very faint hops character. This beer pairs very favorably with beef fajitas, enchiladas with a rich mole sauce, or other spicy Mexican fair.

Dos Equis

Long before the most interesting man in the world was born, Dos Equis began its life called as a Vienna Lager called Siglo XX. It was brewed to welcome the 20th century by German-born Wilhelm Hasse at his Moctezuma Brewery. The Ambar version of this brew is the more traditional and most closely resembles the Vienna Lager it is based on. It has a sweet, toasted malt nose with a similar, mid-palate sweet flavor. As with most brews of this style, hops are barely present and provide very little character to the beer. As a companion to Mexican dishes, serve this with spicy salsa and chips or carnitas.

Cervaza Pacifico Clara

More commonly known as Pacífico, this Pilsner-style beer was first brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened the Cerveceria del Pacífico brewery in Mazatlán. Like its cousin Corona, Pacifico is characterized by slightly skunky aroma and flavor that is enhanced by the addition of a lime. Though it may not score highly on many beer websites like Beer Advocate, this is one of the beers locals are most fond of. Drink this one while sitting at the beach on the Mexican Riviera with a plump lime wedge and forget about the world for a while.

Related articles

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