We went to Big River after spending an exhausting but fun day sampling wines and our palates needed a little bit of hops and malt to help reset themselves, so we headed out the back door of Epcot and took a boat over to Disney’s Boardwalk for a mircobrew experience. We hope to try Big River again, hopefully with our friends the Hoperatives, who are big fans of the place. I suspect that we were too tired to fully appreciate the experience.

We tried the following:

Southern Flyer Light Lager (3.61% Alcohol by Volume – AbV) – The light cross over beer for people who are comfortable with Bud’s American ale, the flavor had a slight soapy quality similar to what I find in Bud American ale. I believe that quality is from the Liberty hops used.

Gadzooks Pilsner (3.61% AbV) – Standard Pilsner for those who like pilsners. Nother super remarkable, but exactly what is promised.

Steamboat Pale Ale (4.4% AbV) – Traditional Pale Ale. Once again a nice solid entry that hits the expected notes and won’t dissapoint ale drinkers.

Rocket Red Ale (5.3% AbV) – Nice upfront malt, fades to rounded finish. This one is pretty tasty and is memorable. This one is reccomended if you like a malty flavor in a light bodied beer.

Sweet Magnolia American Brown Ale (5.18% AbV) – Has similar taste to a Chocolate Malt. Very little coffee. Kevin’s favorite, Michelle not as much. The sweetness and chocolate would make this a recommendation for Guinness lovers, but it’s not a stout so the overall flavor has a strong hop presence, so try a sample and see if it’s a fit.

Wowser’s Wheat (4.29% AbV) – Traditional German style Wheat beer served with a wedge of lemon. The banana and clove components are balanced and in line with what is expected.

Overall, Big River was a nice diversion from the Food and Wine festival and the standard theme park food that you can usually find. If you are in the mood for a beer and chicken nachos, head over to Big River at Disney’s Boardwalk.

Cheers!

We're out of town this weekend, heading to Walt Disney World in Orlando. This will be our third outing to the Epcot Wine & Food Festival. Epcot is never overly popular with the kids, but during the Food &
Wine Fest, there seem to be substantially fewer kids in the evenings.

We previously attended in 2005, when we discovered it by accident, and 2006, when we planned the entire trip. In fact, in 2006, we were able to take an 8-hour course on Spanish wine from Master Sommelier & Master of Wine Doug Frost. We also attended an amazing dinner party called The Party of the Senses.

Apparently we had more disposable income in 2006, because those particular items are not in our budget right now. That's okay though, because the Wine & Food Festival is an amazing experience even without the extras.

Imagine the familiar setup of the Epcot World Showcase. Now add in several extra countries and line the entire lake rim with kiosks from the existing and extra countries. Each of those kiosks basically offers tapas-like options from each country, as well as wine and/or beer from that country. Kevin and I tend to eat our way around the world several times.

Many of the kiosks also have extensive learning. In the past, there have been free beer and Twinings tea seminars and a walk-through of Australian wine country. This year I know there is a special area for New York (Long Island and Finger Lakes) wine country. 

The Epcot Welcome Center is transformed into a wine bar and classroom. For $8/session, you can take any number of extensive seminars on wine and cooking from winemakers, Master Sommeliers, and well-known chefs. Curious? Download the Program Guide (pdf).

We've got reservations and such each night. We were originally supposed to take this trip with the Hoperatives, but a family emergency has unfortunately forced them to cancel. Without our friends along, we may skip a few reservations. However, we will most likely be tasting some beer at Big River on Thursday night, followed by dinner at Irish Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. Saturday afternoon we will definitely be enjoying a tequila tasting at the new Tequila Bar (La Cava del Tequila) in Epcot Mexico. Sunday we'll probably go to my other favorite theme park in Disney: Animal Kingdom. Other than that, we're playing it by ear.

The Epcot Wine & Food Festival runs every day through November 8.

It's worth mentioning that, despite the fact we have no kids, I am a giant Disney freak. I love Disney. Combining Disney with an excellent food & wine festival? I'll be quite happy indeed.

Curious about the food we'll be munching on as we eat our way around the Epcot World? The menu is after the jump. Also after the jump, a slideshow of our last couple visits to Epcot:

Wine & Food Festival Kiosk Menus

1. Desserts & Champagne
Austrian Bundt Cake; Stawberry Shortcake;
Grand Marnier Parfait with Orange Coulis
Moët & Chandon Wines: Impérial, Rosé
Impérial; Nectar Impérial; Nectar Impérial Rosé
 
2. Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Lime; Grilled
Pork Skewer with Farofa; Pavè de Maracujá
Leblon Frozen Caipirinha
 
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Beef Empanada with Tomato Salsa; Grilled Beef
Skewer with Chimichurri and Boniato Purée
Bodega Norton Wines: Reserva Malbec; Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon; Torrontes; Cosecha Tardia
 
4. The Mouse Catch
Dorothea (Dutch Cheese); Piave (Italian
Cheese); Mahon (Spanish Cheese)
Heineken; Martini & Rossi Prosecco;
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja
 
5. Mexico City, Mexico
Corn Tortilla Filled with Shredded Pork
and Purple Onions; Corn Tortilla with
Chipotle Chicken; Quesadilla con Chorizo;
Mousse de Piña Colada y Coco
Dos Equis Beer; L.A. Cetto Wines: Chardonnay,
Private Reserve; Petite Sirah; Mexican Sunrise;
Dasani Water
 
6. Barcelona , Spain
Serrano Ham; Chorizo; Manchego; Olives;
Tomato Bread; Red Snapper Escabeche;
Crema Catalana
Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial; Bodega Don
Olegario Albariño; Poema Cava Brut; Poema
Verdejo
 
7. Kraków, Poland
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized
Onions and Sour Cream; Braised Pork Shank
with Cabbage and Fresh Herbs
Chopin Raspberry Chiller
 
8. Shanghai, China
Grilled Chicken with Cumin and Traditional
Northern China Spices; Rice Pancake with Beef
or Shrimp; Pork Pot Stickers; Caramel Ginger
Ice Cream
Tsing Tao Beer; Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler;
Dragon Hollow Chardonnay; Happy Lychee;
Dasani Bottle Water
 
9. New Delhi, India
Chilled Mango Lassi, Rice and Lentil Crêpe with
Potato and Onion Filling; Gulab Juman with Rose
Syrup and Pistachios
Sula Vineyards Wines: Chenin Blanc; Sauvignon Blanc;
Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer
 
10. Cape Town, South Africa
Mealie Soup with Crabmeat and Chili Oil;
Seared Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Purée
and Mango Barbeque Sauce
Fairview Winery Sauvignon Blanc; Fairview
Winery Pinotage; Goats do Roam White; Goat Roti
 
11. Bangkok, Thailand
Chicken and Coconut Soup with Mushrooms,
Lemongrass & Ginger; Green Papaya Salad
with Shrimp
Singha Beer
 
12. Melbourne, Australia
Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes;
Arugula, and Lemon Oil; Grilled Lamb Chop
with Red Wine Sauce and Murray River Sea Salt;
Lamington
Rosemount Traminer Riesling; Rosemount Pinot Noir;
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet; Penfolds Bin 2
 
13. Munich, Germany
Späetzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese;
Nuernberger Sausage on a Pretzel Roll;
Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce
S.A. Prüm Wines: Essence Riesling; Blue Slate Riesling;
Graacher Himmelreich Riesling; Spatlese; Schloss
Reinhartshausen Old Vines Riesling
 
14. Bologna, Italy
Pizza; Cannelloni; Italian Meatballs
with Traditional Tomato Sauce
Prosecco; Chianti Placido; Pinot Sartori; Moretti;
Acqua Panna; Primavera (Strawberry, Banana,
and Peach Slush)
 
15. Vienna, Austria
Paprika Beef Stew with Bacon Dumpling;
Mushroom Soup with Chive Dumplings;
Sachertorte
Leth Grüner Veltliner; Leth Riesling; Iby Zweigelt
 
16. Hops and Barley
Boston-style Crab Cake with Cabbage Slaw
and Remoulade; New England Lobster Roll
Samuel Adams Beers: Boston Ale (draft); Boston Lager
(draft); Octoberfest (draft); Cherry Wheat (draft);
14th Anniversary Festival Beer (draft);
Light Beer; Cream Stout; Pale Ale; Honey
Porter; Black Lager
 
17. New Orleans, U.S.A.
Spicy Cajun Crawfish and Vegetable Stew;
Chicken and Andouille Gumbo; Praline Bread
Pudding, Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Abita Beer: Amber, Purple Haze; Sazerac
 
18. Tokyo, Japan
Spicy Tuna Roll; California Sushi Roll;
Tuna Sensation; Sukiyaki Beef Roll
Kirin Draft Beer; Hana No Mai Ginjo;
Kurosawa Kimoto Junmai; Dasani Water
 
19. Marrakesh, Morocco
Beef Kefta Pita Pocket; Falafel Pita Pocket;
Baklava
Amazir Red; Sangria; Royale Tangerine Mimosa;
Casa Beer; Iced Mint Tea; Dasani Water
 
20. The Brewer’s Collection
Warm Pretzel Bread Stick with Cheese Dip;
Landjäeger
Wide Selection of Imported Beers
 
21. Paris, France
Escargot Persillade en Brioche; Cabernet Braised
Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes; Chocolate
Milk Crème Brûlée
Chardonnay; Bouchard Ainee & Fils, 2007; Merlot;
Chateau Mezain, Bordeaux, 2007; Sparking
Pomegranate Kir; Parisien Cosmo Slush
 
22. Cork, Ireland
Lobster & Scallop Fisherman’s Pie;
Kerrygold® Cheese Selection: Aged-Irish Cheddar,
Dubliner and Ivernia Cheese with Apple Chutney
and Brown Bread; Warm Chocolate
Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache
Bunratty Meade Honey
Wine; Guinness Draught
 
23. Wellington, New Zealand
Seared Sea Scallop with Vegetable Slaw and
Lemon Oil; Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney
Villa Maria Wines: Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc;
Private Bin Unoaked Chardonnay; Private Bin
Riesling; Private Bin Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon
 
24. Montreal, Canada
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup; Maple
Glazed Salmon with Lentil Salad; Spicy
Chicken Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta;
Maple Sugar Candy
Moosehead Beer; Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard
Chardonnay; Château des Charmes Riesling;
Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine;
St. David’s Bench Vineyard Merlot
 
25. Athens, Greece
Greek Salad with Pita Bread; Spanakopita;
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki; Baklava
Boutari Moschofilero; Boutari Santorini;
Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras; Tsantali
Rapsani
 
26. Santiago, Chile
Rock Shrimp Ceviche; Corn and Cheese
Arepa; Dulce de Leche Cookie
Concha y Toro Wines: Chardonnay; Cabernet
Sauvignon Viñedos Emiliana Wines:
Carmenere; Sauvignon Blanc
 
27. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ham Croquetas; Chicken with Rice;
Guava Cookie
Bacardi® Frozen Mojito; Bacardi® Frozen
Dragon Berry Colada