Venue Review - The Beak and the Barrel

Everyone loves The Beak and Barrel. But me I just like it!

I love a themed bar. I love “Pirates of the Caribbean” as a classic attraction! I should love the Beak! Sadly, spoilers, the newest themed bar in the Magic Kingdom is just okay to me.

Rummy Commands the Room! 

Let’s start with the great, theming. The Beak and Barrel is one large room broken into different sections with pirate lore. The room is divided however, with walls and windows. It is beautifully decorated with cast members who are, in general, leaning into the kitsch. Like Oga’s (yeah, we will get back to that) it also has a key audio-animatronic figure in the bird Rummy who yells out at guests and creates some fun. For history nerds, like me, it also reminds us of the Barker Bird, which I never saw. Sadly, seeing Rummy won’t be easy for everyone. At least at Oga’s I can pretty much see DJ-Rex everywhere. But yeah, the theming is great!

Butttttt

Yeah, sadly there is a lot of that here.

First, this is a setting with Oga’s rules. That means you have no control over where you are sitting. The first time I journeyed to the Beak, we started with a family on their way out who also clearly chugged their second whiskey cocktails and definitely had a pirate edge to them. They were replaced by a super chatty set of Midwesterners, who knew many of the same places that we did…but also were a little distracting to my private time in the Captain’s Cabin. The second time, we stood behind a window. Now I know what you are thinking, it’s a window! You can see everything. Nope, while the earlier table may have been far from Rummy and the action at the bar, this spot literally blocked all the action. It was opaque and gave you a view of nothing but a blur. My companion kept jumping into a walkway to see Rummy’s latest bits. It was a real mood killer despite the theme and made me keep growling. I’d rip those windows out; they are useless and give you the obscured view of a stadium event.

"Plunder's Punch"

Oga’s rules also mean you have 45 minutes and a limit of two drinks. And again, that chugged drink makes me think some folks are rushing through cocktails. Oddly enough to me, there are small pours of reserve rum, and these also count as one drink. So you can’t grab a sample of all three unless you are sharing these mighty two-ounce pours.

"Barrels Ablaze"

Second, the pre-mixed signature cocktails are good but limited. For our first voyage, my companion got the “Plunder’s Punch” a Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Blackberry, Lime, and Vanilla cocktail in a pirate skull mug for $46.  And they got it so I could have the mug, which I really do like. It was a great sweet rum cocktail, which I hope you can purchase without the souvenir. That first trip, I got the “Barrels Ablaze” which has Jack Daniel’s Bonded Bourbon, Honey, Lemon, and Chile. This is a great spicy Old-Fashioned. While it has a mix of sweetness from the honey and the bourbon, it also has a true spice, not just a Disney spice. My throat and tongue felt the burn, which made me worry for those I saw chug them. The cocktail list, to me, is a bit limited, as honestly, many of the options were not to our tastes.

"Berried Treasure"

But the beers are a dud for me. This is a place that needs a signature beer, which is tropical or rum-inspired. And instead we got, meh. I think the most inspired beer for them is like “Red Stripe Lager,” a beer that makes me think of tropical islands. But I’m not going to complain about anyone ordering a Modela “Especial Lager” as a favorite or IPA in Bell’s “Two Hearted” IPA. At least the IPA mixes up the flavor. Because the main themed beer is Victory Brewing Co.'s “Pirate’s Paradise Blonde Ale” which I anticipate as being a bland beer that tastes lightly of beer. On my second voyage, I did grab the second themed beer, Wicked Weed Brewing’s “Berried Treasure Session Sour” which tastes of a light ale mixed with raspberry, because when I think tropical, I think raspberries. Why isn’t this pineapple, or mango, or coconut flavored? I just visited Melbourne’s Hell’ n Blazes brewing and tasted their “Hurricane Repellent” Berliner Weisse, which very much tastes of a pina colada. Why isn’t this on tap? Or even a Drekker Brewing from North Dakota, which as many many great tropical sours. We need better beer.


And while I’m ranting, like Goose Island Brewing, Wicked Weed from Asheville, North Carolina, used to be a craft brewing legend. Yes, I love craft beer. But like Goose, Wicked Weed is also now an Anheuser-Busch brand. Seriously, raspberries and macrobeers!

Cook’s Corn Griddle Cakes with Chipotle-braised Chicken

Finally, or third or fourth, there are a small number of small plates. I’ve heard the charcuterie board Island Provisions can help feed a mid-sized party. We had the Cook’s Corn Griddle Cakes with Chipotle-braised Chicken. It was a warm corn tortilla that was fluffy and delicious, with the corn chicken and cotija cheese all playing nicely. It was nice to get tasty food in the Magic Kingdom. But like many of the more tasty items in this park, it was a snack.

But sadly, arrrrr, The Beak and Barrel for me is likely an infrequent visit.

Other Journeys! I recently grabbed a family member a reservation, as I’ve gotten pretty good at getting spots for parties of two! This party of two was sitting in the Map Room, where they were never able to see Rummy. They also very much disliked their drinks. And they found the “Pirate’s Paradise Blonde Ale” to be a better choice than the four cocktails they sampled. And they had a very odd interaction with the “Mermaid’s Tears” cocktail, which involves a bit of show by adding a solution to the drink, an interaction where it was essentially hinted that the cast member was roofieing them, which was not cool to the young ladies in the group. It seems very off-brand for cast members.

Who Drinks Here? Pirates and pirate fans who need to see the theming. Or if you can get a reservation and think you would like a cocktail, this is a good spot. The Beak and the Barrel is likely a must-do at least once, but your enjoyment may vary by seating. But if you are beer fan, I’m likely heading to the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper’s Canteen to grab a “Kungaloosh.” Hey, you might even be able to walk in there! I’d also argue that the seasonal Halloween menu at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger bar has a better themed cocktail to this experience than many offered in “The Spike Trap,” a run and vanilla vodka take on a pina. I know you got to go! But you may not visit more than once.

Cocktail Review - Swine Brine

"Swine Brine"

The 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing, and I’ve got no real must-drink beers. So let’s try a returning cocktail that I have skipped in the past.

“Swine Brine,” a name that I think may be a little scary to some, is a mix of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Apple-Cinnamon Cider, Lemon Juice, and…Dijon Mustard! Yep mustard! I think that is another thing that may turn off some sippers. But should it? Oh, don’t forget it’s accompanied by a bone-in piece of smoked pork!

A Drink and a Snack

I found the “Swine Brine to start as a very pleasant apple cider, with cider and not juice being the keyword. Then the booze and the cider started to meld into a nice boozy combo that balanced whiskey tones with apple. It was a sweet boozieness. Finally, it finished with a nice tanginess from the mustard. I didn’t get the Dijon till the very end, but by gosh, it was there. It was weird to get a layered experience in a premixed cocktail. The pork was nice. It was not overly moist and could use some sauce. I did dip it into the cocktail a few times, and found the spices from the cider and lemon did give me a sauce substitute that improved the flavor.

I accompanied “Swine Brine” with the Smoked Corn Beef with house made chips. I like corned beef and the cheese mixed nicely with the chips and the beef. However, some of my chips were a bit bland and had a cardboard-like texture. So I don’t know if I would grab this again.

Smoked Corn Beef with Chip

Who Drinks This? Those who like their ribs smoked and seasoned! It is much more pleasant and less swiney than I thought it would be, with me imagining the cocktail as a solid marinade. My saucy fears were worries only, with the “Swine Brine” being a pleasant sweet spicy cocktail that felt fallish. I would drink it again, and I urge you not to be scared off by the mustard.

Venue Review - Tambu Lounge

The Tambu Lounge Sign...Hidden Behind a Check-In Desk, Lobby, and Confused Guests

We wanted to be fancy! We had guests, but they didn’t want to pay for a day at a Walt Disney World park. Yet we still wanted to be impressive and fun, so we took them out to the Polynesian Resort, thinking we could visit Trader Sam’s, have some fun, and have a nice cocktail.

It was early Saturday afternoon, and I thought, 'Yeah, it may take two hours, but we could get in by mid-evening.' Then I was told to check back at 9 p.m. to get on the list then.

The whole plan fell apart. But we still wanted a tropical drink, and we didn’t have any reservations.

Hello Tambu Lounge!

Right next to ‘Ohana on the second floor of the Poly is the Tambu Lounge. It is the bar lounge that serves the well-known meaty restaurant. In fact, it kinda oozed into ‘Ohana, with the check-in desk well in front of the sitting area in front ot the lounge and the restaurant. You can see a bar and a partition blocking the lounge seating area. When you get past the partition, you see a few tables (low and high) and bar seating. There’s also a large window where you can see out to the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. I don’t think that I would watch fireworks from here, but at least it’s a pleasant view. (No pictures were taken due to this being a time with friends). 

Polynesian Mai Tai

There are a number of tropical cocktails that are Disney fandom favorites. You can find both the “Backscratcher” and “Lapu Lapu” here. I had the “Polynesian Mai Tai” that mixed a nice fruity sweetness from the Orange Liqueur and the Lime Juice, but also made sure to show off the distinct Rum profile. It was nice, I enjoyed it, and it fit the mood. I won’t complain about it being well priced, well made, but also coming without a show. If you want beer, I mean, there’s the mix of Maui Brewing and Kona Brewing Hawaiian-inspired beers you can find throughout the resort. And there’s your old regular standby beers like Jai Aai and Yuengling. But if you’re drinking beer, it's because you are currently not messing with spirits. These are beers you can find pretty much anywhere, including my garage fridge right this very moment. The drink menu, obviously, is shared with ‘Ohana, but Kona Cafe shares most of the fun drinks on its menu too.

If you are heading to Tambu Lounge, it may be for a food hack. You can order the Pot Stickers, Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, and Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings found at ‘Ohana. I’ve heard tales of the off-the-menu bread pudding and noodles also being available. I mean, it’s literally right there next to ‘Ohana, so the request is reasonable. Therefore, those who have a small ‘Ohana craving can find relief at this lounge.

Who Drinks Here? Those who wanted something else drink here. Let’s be honest, it’s not the vibes and uniqueness of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which can be hard to get into. It’s also not outside like Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, so you can get a respite from the heat while still enjoying tropical drinks. If you can’t get a convenient reservation to ‘Ohana, you can still order up some of this Disney favorite’s best grub. So if you’re drinking here, you likely wanted out of the heat and failed to grab another option. It’s not a bad option, but I’m guessing it’s very few drinkers’ first option.

Beer Review - Au Currant

 

"Au Currant"

Central Florida sipping is changing me, friends!  Maybe it’s wizarding magic.  I don’t like funky beers, I don’t like funky beers, I don’t like funky beers, and Epic Universe can’t change me.

Unless some magic happens, and it does!

“Au Currant” by Crooked Can is the newest Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic brew in Epic Universe.  I decided to choke down this beer, since I don’t like Farmhouse Ales at all.  Adding blackcurrants to this saison is only going to make it worse for this dark beer fan who sees this as adding fruit to bleh.  But hey, I need to drink all the potions to be fair and provide a proper sorting.  I went into this thinking it would clearly be as horrible as Polyjuice Potion when I ordered it at Bar Moonshine.  And instead, I found this to be a very pleasant, slightly funky, somewhat sweet 5.2% ABV, no-IBU, easy-to-drink experience.  The berry flavor is not overwhelming; you are not drinking a shandy, and it helps manage the funk.  I thought the non-beer drinker in my group might like the slight berry tang, but they found it to be too funky and undrinkable.  Yeah, it’s not my favorite beer at Epic, I see you Stoick!  It’s likely not my favorite Wizarding beer either.  But it was really nice and refreshing when it's super hot in Paris or other parts of Epic.

I don’t talk about Farmhouse Ales or Saisons very often.  Mostly because I dislike them, they are not my brew, or haven’t been.  But as a style, it very much fits within the Paris vibe of the Ministry of Magic.  It’s very much a popular, homemade, traditional, Western European beer that fits Paris.  If anything to be me it feels more peasant than aristocrat, as it’s a working person brew.  For some reason, I see Wizards being more landowners than those who till the ground.  But it does fit the vibe better than an English ale style that we would find over in the other two parks.  

Who Drinks This? Wizards who need to check off all the Wizard beers grab this.  Fans of slightly funky beers would enjoy this one.  “Au Currant” is not my go-to potion, but it could give me future change-of-pace sips.  

Brewery Review - Park Pizza and Brewing Company

Park Pizza and Brewing Company

We had just picked up our weekend guests at MCO and one said, “Is there anywhere to eat?”  

And I was like…”well, I think there is a brewery nearby.”  And off to Park Pizza and Brewing Company, just five minutes away in Lake Nona we went!

We’ve not spent a lot of time at Lake Nona.  We have raced past Lake Nona to the airport or other locations like the beach, but never stopped.  And I had no idea what to expect when I remembered that Park Pizza & Brewing Company was nearby.  I worried I was lost when I took an exit near the giant medical complex, a spot where I thought there was no dining or beer in sight.  But as we drove past the hospitals and clinics, an oasis of dining soon appeared.  It was not a large dining zone, but one that was somewhat secluded and cozy, and super new.  There were restaurants and dining parks nearby that I would like to explore at a later date.  Right on the corner of this little Lake Nona Town Center was the promised drink and food after our guests’ long flight.  

 

Giant Soft Baked Pretzel

 

Let's start with the pizza, as it’s the first part of Park Pizza & Brewing Company’s name.  They were really good.  Actually, let’s start with the “Giant Soft Baked Pretzel” which was nice and soft, filling up our hungry travelers.  I didn’t really notice that the beer cheese was jalapeno-hefeweizen cheese, which is a good thing as a member of my party does not like overly spicy food.  Our table grabbed The Margherita and Chicken Parm to Table personal pies, and hungry flyers dove in, loving every minute of it.  We also got a Truffle Shuffle full size, which those of us who love mushrooms dove in on with its garlic cream and cremini mushrooms.  So so good!  

 

Truffle Shuffle

Of course, to go with lunch, I needed a flight consisting of:

The Flight

 

• “”IPA”: A 6.8% ABU and 60 IBU IPA, that is honestly the flagship IPA that all breweries need.  It's what I expected with no surprise.  They do call out that it’s a Gold Metal Winner (not misspelled).  I can see how it could win contests where judges are very much rating style conformity.   

• Cielo Azul”: A 5% ABV with 10 IBU Mexican Lager advertising itself as the essence of a sunny afternoon.  To me it was a beer that tasted like beer with a very welcome light sweetness.  I could see this as a beach beer.    

• “POG Wheat”: And the Disney Adults entered the chat.  “POG Wheat” offers a drinkable 5% ABV and 10 IBUs for a hot day.  The style is listed on Untappd as a Fruit Beer, while the name hints at a Wheat, so popular in Florida.  I believe Fruit Beer is a better label since the beer does not have an unfiltered hazy look and lacks a banana backbone.  But honestly this is nice and refreshing.  

• “Coconut Ranger”: Okay, I see some interesting pairing here.  “Coconut Ranger” is a 6.8% ABV with 40 IPU IPA, that is not your typical offerings.  It has very clear IPA bitterness and coconut tones swirling around in the glass.  It was definitely the beer that caught my attention and was a little divisive as the coconut fan at the table ran away from the IPA bitterness.    

Overall this was a mix for me.  There was the beer that you expect that tastes like beer.  But we also had a beer that clearly calls out to theme park fans coming in for a vacation and a beer that I think is just “odd” to many and was my favorite of the flight.  

For those that don’t like beer, there is a menu of your cocktails with Mules, Espresso Martinis, and Aperol Spritz (which I think someone in my party ordered).  If you want a cocktail, they likely can help.    

 

Inside, was open and sunny. There was plenty of seating for a lot of family types. But it was a bit loud, feeling like a party atmosphere.  

 

The Brewhouse

Who Drinks Here?  At this point, the reasons I will return are the food and the location!  I liked the pizza and appetizer options we had quite a bit.  I in fact, have other pizzas I would love to sample.  The beer is a bonus, with a mix of the expected and some risks that I am up to sample.  The location, minutes from the airport, places it well for those drinkers flying in and out from the Central Florida area.  

Beer Review - Acadia Fog Hazy IPA

"Acadia Fog Hazy IPA"

When I visit the Polite Pig, my beer selection is always on my mind. I have to admit, I make the decision late, as I typically grab the seasonal, so I’ve not spent a lot of time yet with Ravenous Pig core beers. But on an evening with out-of-town friends, I found myself not in the mood for the seasonal and for once grabbed one of the regulars.

“Acadia Fog Hazy IPA” is a 7% ABV, 26 IBU dark yellow juicy juicy-looking pint. I found it very soft and light with a low-key citrus touch. I found it it be very approachable, with it really reminding me of the lightness of “Gathering of Clouds.” With the 26 IBUs, it had no bitter bite. I almost wonder if “Acadia Fog Hazy IPA” is the base beer that is used as a starting recipe for the earlier sampled double hazy.

True confessions, I get real frustrated by tasters who go real deep on flavors.  When you see bourbon tastings that give off vanilla and tobacco, yeah that's not me.  Often with beer and IPAs they tell you have the differences between tangerines and oranges, which to me are not that different as tones in beer.  Now, I can tell the difference between oranges and grapefruit, and I like a grapefruit hazy a little bit more than an orangey one.  Is it possible that when I say light citrus, what I am really saying is tangerine?  All I know is this beer is not a grapefruit juice, which I would honestly prefer.  

I also considered the Porter, a preferred darker malty style for me. But the heat drove me away. The lightness of this Hazy was a nice, refreshing choice. But I would be cautious with the number you drink, as that 7% is sneaking in on you with its lighter flavor tones, convincing you that you’re not drinking a mid-level ABV brew.

Who Drinks This? Our guest is an IPA fan, and this is what she reached for. “Acadia Fog Hazy IPA” is likely one of the starting points for IPA fans who need smoked goodness. I’ll also argue that those who want to investigate Hazy IPAs would likely find this a good first sip.

Beer Review - Stoick’s Ale

"Stoick's Ale"

Am I evolving?  Have my taste buds changed?  Because Epic Universe is really challenging me with beer.  If there’s one rule in the world, I have a really stern, almost stoic view towards Belgian beers. I don’t usually enjoy funky beers, with Celebration’s “Storm Strong” being the one Florida exception.  

“Stoick’s Ale” is Epic Universe’s exclusive brew for the How to Train Your Dragon portal.  It’s a 5% ABV with no IBU wheat Belgian Witbier.  Universal describes it as being a white ale with wildflower honey.  What I get flavor-wise is a funky, distinctive Belgian-brewed front end with some slight and pleasant sweetness.  And I swear there’s a slight citrus backbone.  I wasn’t the only one in my party who picked up on the refreshing citrus from the hops.  

All I can say in my sternest tone is, I like it, I really like it.  This may be my favorite Epic Universe beer..  Epic Universe is hot.  It’s really hot.  What a traveler needs is something refreshing.  The Belgian funk, sweetness, and citrus all combine to provide a refreshing, not overpowering beer that can really help one to cool off.  I come from a land of stouts and IPAs that are thick and hearty.  “Stoick’s Ale” is a good example of how Florida seems to like their wheat-based beers, refreshing while also providing some flavor.  

I bought my pint at Spit Fyre Grill, but you can also order one up at the Mead Hall.  Sadly, neither menu confirms the brewery.  I chose to rate it on Untappd under the Carib Brewery USA entry due to the larger number of ratings found on their page.  But the second guess of Crooked Can seems plausible.  These two breweries provide Universal with the bulk of their specialty beers, and “Stoick’s” has to be originating from one of them. 

Who Drinks This? Don’t let the funk scare you off.  Hot and weary travelers, who also make sure to hydrate with water, drink this sweet and refreshing Witbier.  It was a hit for multiple drinkers in my party and likely to be an Epic Universe go-to delight.