Epcot Food & Wine Festival Beers, Part 2

The 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starts on September 27th and runs through November 11th this year.  We are reviewing the menu and classifying the beer featured this year.

A few days ago we reviewed what we've called the Obligatory Country of Origin Beers, 8 in total.  Today we'll look at the beers from some of the traditional beer and brewing countries.  We will cover 4 Destination and 14 beers.


Classic International Style Beers

Brewers Collection:  German Style beers are the recurring theme here.

• Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen - This beer was featured last year as well.
• Altenmunster Oktoberfest - A regular in the Germany Pavilion, this is a solid choice.
• Radeberger Pilsner - Another Germany Pavilion regular and on the list last year.
• Warsteiner Premium Verum - Warsteiner is new to the list with two beers.  The Verum is a German Pilsner.
• Warsteiner Premium Dunkel - The Warsteiner site doesn't list this beer (only two listed) so I'm not over confident in this listing.
• BraufactuM Palor - BraufactuM, in Frankfurt, Germany is a new brewery to the list. Rate Beer gives this "American Pale Ale" a score of 50 (of 100).  5.2% ABV.  Here it is for those who are interested.
• BraufactuM Roog Smoked Wheat Beer - A Rauchbier, this one interests me.  Rate Beer gives the Roog a 69 .  6.6% ABV.  If you read German, the write up on this beer will mean more to you than it did me.
• BraufactuM Darkon - A Schwartzbier, German style dark beer, this rates at 78, with a 5.4% ABV.  Like the others, here is the Rate Beer review.

From the above list, the Germany Destination will also feature the Oktoberfest and Darkon.

2012 Belgium Menu Kiosk

Belgium: The Belgian beers are most interesting and something to get excited about, until you realize the examples here are all owned by Big Beer, and are the mainstream selections of Belgian Style beers.

• Hoegaarden
• Stella Artois
• Leffe Blonde
• Leffe Brune 

The Leffe Brune is the newcomer to the list and a solid brown ale (Brune).  It will be my choice from this Destination.  Second will be the Blonde.

Scotland:  Scotland is a new Destination for 2013, featuring a traditional style Scottish Ale, Innis & Gunn Original, from Edinburgh, Scotland.  At 6.6% ABV, Beer Advocate (yes, switching sites) rates this at at 85.  This will pair well with the food selection at this Destination as well.

The following menu details come from the Disney Parks Blogs posting.  In fact all the menu items listed herein come from the same posting.

• Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
• Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties-Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes
• Scottish Banoffee Tart with Bananas, Scottish Whisky Toffee, Walkers Shortbread Crumbles and Sweet Cream

Of the list above, I think I'll go for the dessert with the Innis & Gunn Original.


Ireland: See if you can guess the beer from Ireland.  Yep, it's Guinness Stout.  Get it here or year round at the Rose and Crown Pub in Epcot.

People in line at the Ireland Destination, 2012

There you have it... the 14 beers which we've categorized as the Classic International Styles.  I've excluded the Destinations of Hawaii (American, not International) and the American Adventure (American also), which both feature some craft beers.  American Craft beer is nothing to be embarrassed by.  In fact, it is quite the opposite!  The long history and tradition may not be as old as those of the countries listed with the lists above, but quality, flavor, and creativity which has evolved in the American Craft Beer movement is quite exciting and has been a unique addition to this Festival.

In Part 3 we'll cover the American Craft Beers which will be featured in the 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.