crawlDisney: Beers Around the World (Showcase)

September 5th, 2013 by Scott in crawlDisney, Walt Disney World Locations

Last updated April 27, 2015

Drinking around the world at Epcot. It’s become almost an attraction in itself over the years, but what if you’re interested in drinking beer around the world instead of all those frou-frou drinks?

The good news is all of the World Showcase pavilions serve beer. However, not all of them are the greatest. This guide endeavors to help you drink the better beers where possible. Unfortunately, there will be some swill to swallow if you truly want to drink beer at each World Showcase location.

You could either start at Mexico or Canada; going counter-clockwise starting with Canada will generally put the better beer at the beginning of your trip (and the later beers less memorable), so the official order will start with Canada. If you’d rather start in Mexico, just follow this guide in reverse.

1. Canada

The Canada Beer Cart should be your first stop. Since the 2013 Food and Wine Festival ended, the Canada pavilion has kept Unibroue La Fin du Monde, Trois Pistoles, and Éphémère out at the beer cart. The simplest option would be to grab one of these and start drinking! Éphémère is light and fruity, while Trois Pistoles is a darker beer. La Fin du Monde is also a favorite and the 2013 Disney Beer Tournament Champion!

For bonus points, Le Cellier serves three additional Unibroue beers! You can’t really go wrong with any of the Unibroue beers. Conversely, the last thing you should drink here is Moosehead.

Take in a showing of “O Canada!” featuring Franck Eggelhoffer!

2. United Kingdom

A Bass Ale or Harp Lager at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop might be a nice way to have a drink in the UK pavilion. For the more adventurous, head into the Rose & Crown and order a beer blend! Jenn especially enjoys a Black Velvet made with half Guinness and half Strongbow Cider.

3. France

The newly refurbished Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie is our next stop on the tour. Kronenbourg 1664 is the only French beer served in the pavilion; enjoy a pastry along with your beer at the bakery!

4. Morocco

Morocco’s beer selection is a little better than it used to be thanks to the opening of Spice Road Table, but not much. Six more beers are available in Morocco now, but none of them are particularly thrilling. If you’re looking for a native beer Casa is still the only beer that’s from Morocco. All the new Spice Road Table beers are from other Mediterranean nations. Let’s face it, as far as quality is concerned Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat is still probably your best choice. You can find it at Tangerine Café or the Morocco Beer Cart.

While you’re in Morocco, enjoy Mo’Rockin!

5. Japan

Japan has a somewhat hidden location with the best beer of the pavilion. In the back of Mitsukoshi is a sake bar known as the Garden House. Here you can find a beer called Ginga Kogen, a Japanese hefeweizen that’s definitely not your usual Sapporo or Kirin Ichiban.

There’s lots to look at (and buy) in Mitsukoshi, or head outside and watch Matsuriza pound on their Taiko drums under the pagoda.

6. The American Adventure

Until recently, The American Adventure didn’t serve many microbrews. However, Liberty Inn’s menu changed recently and picked up Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale and Sweetwater IPA. The new Block and Hans stand also sells a variety of good beer including Victory Golden Monkey and Napa Smith Hopageddon Imperial IPA, so pick one up and enjoy the Voices of Liberty.

7. Italy

Italy is possibly the best stop for beer in World Showcase. Tutto Gusto is your best bet for a beer without a full sit-down meal in Italy; head on in and try anything that isn’t a pale American lager or a Birra Moretti for best results. The selection changes fairly regularly; we try to keep our list up to date so click the Tutto Gusto link for the latest. If Sergio, the Italian mime and juggler, is around be sure to check out his show (you may remember him from my Via Napoli article).

8. Germany

Germany is full of places to get beer, but the same four are served at all of them. Try a Warsteiner Premium Dunkel or a Schöfferhofer Grapefruit at Bier for a good beer in a convenient location, then watch the model trains travel around the tracks as you drink. Also, while you’re in Germany be sure to admire the beer steins! There’s a whole shop dedicated to them and they’re beautiful but a bit expensive.

9. Outpost

You didn’t think you were going to get away with not visiting the Outpost, did you? Actually, you’re not missing much if you do. Safari Amber is as close as you’ll get to an African beer here, and by close, I mean not close at all. For a non-AB-InBev beer, choose a Yuengling instead. There’s not much to do at the Outpost, so either relax by the World Showcase lagoon or start taking a look around China, the next pavilion.

10. China

By this point you should be fairly well lubricated, which should offset the downfall of the beer quality from this point on. The Joy of Tea has two Chinese choices. These wonderful (and I’m using the word wonderful very liberally here) are Tsingtao and Tsingtao Pure Draft.

Admire the Temple of Heaven and watch Reflections of China if you’d like before moving on.

11. Norway

This has been mentioned many times before, but you can’t actually drink Norwegian beer in the Norway pavilion. The Danish beer Carlsberg is served instead. Einstök White Ale, from Iceland, is also served here. Einstök is almost certainly the better choice. Belly up to the Norway Beer Stand and have one for Denma… no, Icela… er, Norway!

12. Mexico

You’ve made it! Mexico is the final stop on the tour around World Showcase. Good choices are limited here, but I’d recommend a Bohemia, which is better than the usual Mexican dreck. Again, no beverages on Gran Fiesta Tour, so do your riding before or after.

Drinking a dozen beers is no easy task; you could even break this up into two days if you prefer. There’s no shame in sharing either; Epcot doesn’t pour tasting portions on a normal basis (but maybe they should). Either way, celebrate with a viewing of Reflections of Earth! Also, this should be apparent but be sure to use Disney transportation back to your resort or designate a driver because 12 beers.