Beer Review -Gold Squardon Lager

Gold Squadron Lager

I’m a Star Wars fan and a little selfish! I want a red ale with Red Five in the name. It appears based on surfing the Web I’m not the only one. For example, Revelry Brewing has “Red 5 Standing By”, a Flanders Sour Red Ale. Now honestly this is not my favorite style. But awesome name that fits the style. Even better is Bad Batch Brewing Company and “Red-Five Amber Ale”. This is a traditional ale using malt to provide a nice shade of red. I have no idea how this brewery, the brew, and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge are not a perfect marriage with a brew crafted clearly by the greatest Clone special forces unit of all time!

Alright, breathe my friend. Sure at the Battle of Yavin the Red Squadron X-Wings are the heroes that all the kids wanted to grow up and be. Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles are magazine idols. But you know who the kids should give more credit to, the Y-Wingers of Gold Squadron, they sacrificed on that day we can never forget when the Death Star Was destroyed!

“Gold Squadron Lager” brewed by Blue Point Brewing Company of Patchogue, New York brings us this tribute to the brave bomber pilots. It’s a 5.0 ABV golden lager with a light 18 IBUs, with flavors of lavender and plum. While I could have grabbed this at Oga’s Cantina, I ordered mine on a busy day at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, as the one Star Wars beer on tap at this quick-service location.

Taste-wise this is the Budweiser of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. The floral flavor of the lavender is lightly present but not overwhelming. I couldn't find any plums. It is a fine, easy-to-drink lager, which is generally not what I prefer. It was not my favorite, as I would rather have a “Bad Motivator” if I were at Oga’s as a personal choice. It does price-wise have a Star Wars premium on it, when I would rather grab a bigger fill at Baseline Tap House.

Blue Point Brewing Company is part of an interesting trend for me. In the 2010’s it was bought by Anheuser-Busch in a flurry of craft brewing purchasing as the big beer company sought to combat craft breweries taking part of market share by buying up craft brands, and convincing customers they were enjoying something local and craft…not a multinational company. In 2023, Anheuser-Busch decided craft breweries were no longer a profitable fit in their portfolio as they sold Blue Point and seven other breweries to Tilray Brands. Tilray, a cannabis lifestyle company, is now the 9th biggest craft brewery in the United States as Tilray Beer Brands. It’s a fascinating story that I could bore everyone with.

Who Drinks This?: You like “Bud Light” or “Coors Light”, but are currently wandering through Batuu and want a beer. This one is for you! For me, there are other more interesting options at Oga’s and I can get water at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and wait for a better-priced beer at Baseline.

Beer Review: Schöfferhofer Prickly Pear Hefeweizen

 

Schöfferhofer Prickly Pear Hefeweizen

Prickly pears are not pears! But they do come from a prickly plant! And they are SWEET!

One of the big wins for the 2023 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival was a beer offering in Germany. The “Schöfferhofer Prickly Pear Hefeweizen” was a family favorite. At the time we had them last year, I honestly thought that it was a one-and-done brew that would quickly be forgotten, except by us. The best part of this beer was the non-beer fans of the family enjoyed it. Which is great for when one is drinking around the world with a non-beer fan who wants to still enjoy the drinking and people-watching experience. Then…Spring 2024 it made a return to Germany.

“Schöfferhofer Prickly Pear Hefeweizen” is a no IBU 2.5% ABV Hefeweizen. The color and sediment let you know it’s a traditional Hefe. The mouthfeel is thicker than a Pils or Lager and lets you know you are drinking something substantial. The flavor profile also has some of the spiciness expected from a Hefeweizen. But, it is so so so sweet from the infusion of the prickly pear flavor. I laugh as sweet as my flavor note, and it reminds me of other prickly pear items I have enjoyed. But the sweetness and low ABV is a super easy and refreshing drinker that does let you know it’s a beer but it still has a lower ABV than your nationally distributed big brand pils, like Bud Light.

It can be hard to find in the Germany Pavillion. I had to ask when seeking out the Frozen Coke and Jager. This draft is found, at the time of this writing, at the beer cart next to the lagoon on the main walkway. There was quite a bit of traffic at this one stand, with a lot of folks grabbing a beer…but not a Prickly Pear. Of the ten people I saw in front of me, no one else grabbed this tasty brew. There was also no signage to indicate it was there, my one clue was there was a tap head handle.

I hope we will see more and more of this beer. When I did my last look on Untappd, there were rankings outside of Epcot. There were multiple ratings from different pubs in the United Kingdom. So maybe this will become a Schöfferhofer seasonal or occasional offering.

Prickly Pear, did I mention is not a pear? It is a fruit of a cactus, or the caucuts plant itself. But it's the sweet fruit that flavors the beer, it is needle free. Most palettes compare the taste to melons, or bubblegum. Basically, if you don’t enjoy sweet things, you may wish to polish one of these down.

Who Drinks This?: You’re at Epcot walking the world. You want something that is not overly boozy and is refreshing while still giving you beer feels. Sure there may be options that are more bitter, but this is the sweet low alcohol beer for you. And even non-beer drinkers are likely to enjoy this, like a cocktail while getting in their steps.

Brewery Review - New York Beer Project

New York Beer Project

Let’s be honest! The food within the Magic Kingdom isn’t the greatest in the world. It’s no Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Options are often stereotypical amusement park fare (yeah I said amusement not theme)! They can also be pricey.

I had heard cast members talking about the New York Beer Project as somewhere they enjoyed getting a pint and being social. But when I looked at the beers listed on the website, they didn’t seem like they were for me. But recently on a Sunday Funday to the Kingdom, we decided to visit, and I think friends we have a hidden gem!

First, we have location! New York Beer Project Orlando is about 15 minutes from the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Much of that drive consists of driving near Magic Kingdom area resorts, getting a super exciting backstage view of the main cast member parking, and neighborhoods close enough to the magic to dream about relocation. The brewery itself is located in a small shopping area, where it anchors the area. It is big, inviting stone, with plenty of parking. It feels like it’s from an earlier era, but it’s also clearly a new build. 

Wood and Open Decor

Second, we have the atmosphere! The inside is warm, full of wood, open, and so much seating and room for activities. It reminded me in a good way of being in a polished chain family restaurant where everyone feels invited into the super clean space. And there was lots of seating. We were in one large room, and I could see another one that I never entered. Next to me was a mix of customers from the retired couple enjoying an alcohol-free brunch to the three-generational family holding a celebration and playing board games. If you have someone in your group saying, I don’t like breweries, great because you don’t have to feel like you are at one at New York Beer Project. Still, some vibes remind me of other breweries like garage doors that open to the inside from the patio and trees inside which trick my mind into thinking I’m having pint outside! 

Smoked Brisket Hash & Eggs

Third, we have the food. I will 100% return because of the food. I ordered a brisket and hash bowl that was delicious and filling. My companion grabbed a breakfast sandwich as suggested by the waiter that combined a nice sourdough bread with all the tastes of morning. There was a pretzel, mozzarella sticks as big as my hands (or at least they seemed that way), and more options that I want to try and didn’t have room for. And this was just the brunch menu served on Sunday. I will come back, I will come back when it’'s not brunch. The prices were also very reasonable, with me comparing the cost to Disney's quick service options. So yes, I would absolutely when hungry take the drive to the brewery to eat better food than a okay Disney burger. 

Jamaican Me Crazy Cocktail Flight

They also have plenty of non-beer options. My companion was pulled to this location for the Jamaican Me Crazy cocktail flight with a Rum Punch, Painkiller, and Fishbowl. The Painkiller was the winner. This was just one fun addition offered in April. But with a full bar, your non-beer fans can find something to drink.
 

Oh yeah, we should likely mention the beer, right? I got a flight and grabbed some things I thought might be flagships. In choosing the flight I was excited, there were around 20 taps to choose from, not the 8 to 10 I expected from the website. I do love some choices and the fact there will be plenty of options when I return. 

 

The Flight!

• “Orlando Lager”: It’s the flagship commercial lager of the brewery. You need it on tap for your Coors Light fans. And while it was brewed to style, I won’t order it again due to style preferences.

• “Destination IPA”: Every brewery needs a flagship IPA that helps set expectations. With a name and logo like this, I know it has to be the flag, yet it was surprising. It was bitter, I could taste all the 77 IBUs, which most flagships tend to lower those IBUs to be drinker-friendly. It reminded me of some double IPAs and I applaud the swagger to be bitter.

• “Coconut IPA”: This was another surprising beer to me. It was bitter with 69 IBUs. But the coconut, which I am fan of, was not hints or reminders of coconut but full-on flavor giving you a bitter tropical vibe. My companion who does not like IPAs however did not enjoy their sip. So it’s more for the IPA fan than the coconut fan.

• “Salted Caramel Macadamia Stout”: This was a nice English-style stout with some sweet and nutty undertones. The sweetness does hide the 8% ABV, so don’t have too many because it will sneak up on you.

Overall, it was a successful flight with really only one beer I would not consider in the future due to personal taste. But you can also get beer to go with me grabbing a crowler of the New England IPA “The One v6” and I thought this was a good bet for being a nice easy-at-home drinker. I will say with the take-home options there were not any unicorn beers. But not every brewery has constant big beer options for guys like me.

New York Beer Project, is a very small chain. There are locations in Orlando and three in New York state. The original was built in Lockport New York, built new to look old. I get those vibes from the Orlando location also. But it does look like there are more possibilities for future growth!

Who Drinks Here?: The Magic Kingdom is busy today. You are hungry, and you don’t want to pay Disney prices for your hungry party who have a lot of different food interests. New York Beer Project will take care of your group, give you a small respite from crowds, and share their AC with you. Oh…and they have solid beer!