Venue Review - Yellow Dog Eats

Yellow Dog Eats

“I get the hype!”

I had just recently heard of Gotha, Florida. It was all the excitement about needing to go at Yellow Dog Eats and some of the best barbecue in the Orlando area. Having lived in Kansas and a lot of good BBQ at local places, literally neon signs that just say BBQ with nothing but pure awesome inside, I can have a pretty high standard. But everything I was hearing about Yellow Dog Eats was good and unique…so I was excited.

I get the hype!

Yellow Dogs Eats is in a rural community within driving distance of the Magic Kingdom that reminds me of so many small towns in the Midwest. It is shocking as I feel like at any moment I could toss a rock and hit Orlando. But you feel like the small town you are in is the sort of setting in which good barbeque can be found. The Yellow Dog Eats building is a house…literally a house. One feels like you are walking into a friend's house, ordering food in their hipster kitchen/dining room, and then sitting out on the back deck and enjoying your food. Or maybe you want to find a room upstairs inside. It is eclectic, vibrantly decorated, and comfortable. 

The Hip Vibes of the Outside Patio

The food was why we came. We ordered the “What the Fig?” which is a pulled pork sandwich with fried onions, bacon, goat cheese, and most of a homemade jalapeno-fig sauce. It's a good solid sandwich, but I didn’t think it brought a lot of heat. We also ordered a “Florida Cracker” which is another pulled pork sandwich, with coleslaw, gouda, pecan-smoked bacon, fried onions, spiky pickles, and gold BBQ sauce. It was a solid little number that featured the Carolina-style sauce. For a homemade side we grabbed a potato salad, which was solid with red-skinned taters. We added a Nutter Butter homemade brownie. It was heavy on the chocolate but lighter on the peanut butter. Overall, it was a good meal, I get the hype. But for the drive time, and ability to get solid BBQ, with a larger unique list of craft beer…we are more likely to return to Polite Pig in the near future.

Florida Cracker and Potato Salad

Now, onto the pint! Part of the draw for me was a Yellow Dog Eats-specific beer. I got a pint of “Yellow Dog Pils” brewed by the local Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company. A Pils is a light lager, and as you may know for me, not my jam. To me, and a pallet that does not distinguish between all the variations of lagers, it was a beer that tasted like beer, and reminded me of macrobeers like “Bud Light.” That’s likely not bad as it’s super approachable for most drinkers and visitors. I will say I was a little taken aback that the brewer was Ivanhoe Park Brewing since this is a super clean and traditional lager and I didn’t catch any tones of Belgian roots which is a Ivanhoe Park signature to me. There were also several craft and macro beers on tap, providing plenty of options to beer fans.

Yellow Dog Pils

Who Drinks Here? Let’s be honest, if you came to Yellow Dog Eats you came for unique barbeque flavors enjoyed in a rural hipster environment. You’ll get the hype! You may even like dogs! You did not come for the “Yellow Dog Pils”, that was just an add-on to the star of the show, meats! For those who want something different than theme park food and a little something interesting you totally should visit. Or…you’re a Gotha resident who enjoys sitting at the bar to meet friends and talk over a cold one. Because the hype is your local joint. But it’s not where you go to find unique pints. 

Nutter Butter Brownie

 

Why You Should Use Untapped!

This one is for you…you know who you are!

Untapped.

It’s controversial…I like what I like, why do I need to worry about what others think?

It’s time-consuming…why would I check my beer into an app? Just let me enjoy the drink!

But I will argue, it’s an invaluable tool, especially if you want to experience new things.

I ask my friends all the time, what did your data tell you?

Here’s why I think you should be using Untapped and checking in your pints.

Oh, Untapped, what is it? Untapped is the Facebook of beer. Nearly every beer has an entry in the Untapped database, which you can access on the web or through an app (like I do). If a beer is missing, you can add it. I use the app and you can rate beers from 0 to 5 using .25 increments. For me, it is kind of a game as I look at my ratings, my friends’ ratings, and finally global ones.

I will go back to one of the biggest questions I get, why do I care about what someone else rated a beer? Primarily, you don’t! What you care about is your data first and foremost. These ratings will provide you a history of what you’ve drank before. This will allow you to:

• Seek out beers you loved, or the brewery you made it

• Identify new-to-you beers

• Avoid beers and styles you despise

You can find these things out by seeing not only your rating but also your frequency of drinking a beer. And in playing the game to find unique beers in a field of many beers, like Epcot, it can be a valuable tool for seeking out the fresh pint.

Secondly, your friends’ beer matters to you. This is because you learn how your buddies drink. I, for example, know how my friends rate and their preferred styles. One friend, I know that our palates are generally .25 within each other and he’s a stern rater. If he enters a beer at 4.50…well, this is going to be a huge hit with me. Another friend rates things either middle of the road or super high. If it’s middle of the road, it’s likely not going to be remarkable. But if it’s a 5…well, it still may not be remarkable in my data. But at least I should glance at it.

Finally, global data can be helpful in your searches. Honestly, most beers are going to be rated a mid-3 or higher. But, if it’s an Imperial Stout with a 4.5 and has only 23 ratings, I take notice. And if it’s a beer with a rating less than 3 with thousands of ratings, it may not be a good beer (and people let’s quit buying that brand).

In short, Untapped is a beer journal. It’s your beer journal and your data informs you when making choices. I have been embarrassed several times buying a beer I HATTTEEEEE because I failed to look at my data. I would hate for you to go to Epcot, and order a beer you’ve already had and didn’t like just because of a hole in your memory. I’ve also, usually when I didn’t pre-check the app, found that in some cases my palate has changed due to rankings from years ago, or led me to question if the past pints came from dirty tap lines.

Rate those beers not for me, not for Mickey, but for yourself.

Brewery Review - Crooked Can Brewing Company

Crooked Can Brewing Company

Crooked Can Brewing Company was on the top of my list of must-visit breweries in Orlando because frankly, it looked fun.

Crooked Can Brewing Company is located in Winter Garden. The brewery had already caught my attention for brewing up some theme park-specific beers, especially for Universal. So far, my thoughts were these are professionally brewed and finished beers, though maybe at times I didn’t catch some of the promised flavors. Now everything about what I thought I knew about Crooked Can history is wrong. There are two breweries and tap rooms for Crooked Can. One in Ohio and one is Orlando. I assumed that this was the story of a Midwest-based brewing family who decided to open a Southern location after a vacation and flee the cold. Now, the founders are originally not from here or Ohio, but Colorado. And the Ohio brewery is actually the spinoff. The ownership believe they can make a profitable location based on their Plant Street Model in the Midwest, and having been to a few similar type locations on the Plains I think they may be right. And it's so successful in central Florida that at this moment they are vetting vendors for another location in Minneola, Florida.  But I am getting ahead of myself. 

Plant Street Market Entrance

The fun part for me is the Plant Street Market that Crooked Can is built within. It’s a open market that has so many options for food and drink. If you want BBQ, oysters, empanadas, sushi, cheese, and popsicles all in one meal, the vendors here have you. There is also tea and coffee. I have visited a few different venues like this and they are honestly great for everyone. Families, where everyone wants different things can find something to munch on with these stalls. Even more fun for me is a group of adults, where everyone grabs different things, shares, and chats over a beer or soda. We saw so many different types of groups from families, many biking to Plant Street, to dates, to friends, to solo drinkers looking for a good meal. Groups can sit outside under nice large tables, or inside where it’s a little louder with everyone wandering around. With plenty of parking across the street and a block away at a community park, it’s easy to see why Crooked Can is busy.  In fact the Craft Brewers Association reports that Crooked Can in the busiest taproom in the state and 17th busiest in the nation.  

Butcher Shop in Plant Street Market

We grabbed a Philly Mac & Cheese from MAC’d OUT. We loved it, it was nice and creamy and had plenty of meat and fillings. It was also big enough to share between two, with us being stuffed when finished. 

Philly Mac & Cheese

But how is the beer? Since I was sampling at the source for the first time, I got the flight so I could experience the flagships:

The Crooked Can Flight

• “Florida Sunshine”: This lager has 11 IBUs and a 5% ABV. It’s also in taste and drinkability is the Coors Light or Bud Lite of the group. Not for me, but it’s definitely for a lot of beer drinkers and likely the most approachable for anyone who wants an approachable beer.

• “Florida Sunshine Mango”: Now this was a bit of a surprise for me. I don’t do a lot of lagers and often fruit flavors can come off chemically or too sweet. The Mango flavor in this 10 IBU variant is super nice and highlighted nicely by the brew. It could be one of my favorite Orlando area lagers.

• “Pub Ale”: I am chasing the feeling that “London Pride” once got me and pub ales are traditionally the closest I can get. To me this was a lite pub ale, or pale ale as it’s listed, it wasn’t hoppy at all and I got some smooth malt flavors. It’s a crushable 5% ABV and the 10 IBUs explain why I kept thinking light and not piney at all.

• “Space Cowboi:” I declare this BlackStack worthy, my standard for IPAs. It was filled with Citrus flavors while not being overly piney. It’s a 6.3% ABV with a big 60 IBUs. I should have grabbed some to take home.

My view of the flight was professional and well-finished. But I didn’t see any unicorns or barrels on the list. I will say there were a lot more options than listed on the website, which seems to be a Central Florida thing where you can’t really see what’s at a taproom till you are at a taproom.

My date did grab a gose style sour. I was worried that it was going to be too puckery…but she loved it. And I got the sense that she would come again with me.

Who Drinks Here? Maybe you want to go where the theme park beer is made, and taste other members of their family? Maybe you want a theme park break where you have food and drink options. Those who drink here are those that want lots and lots of food and drink options. You want to be social, have a nice time, maybe enjoy some sun and some music. Families and friends, enjoy their days at Crooked Can.

Venue Review - Oga's Cantina

 

Oga's Cantina

When fans got news of Galaxy’s Edge, honestly one of the most exciting experiences was being able to get a taste of the first movie, Star Wars (no episode counting silliness for me today), and joining scum and villainy for a drink. Now to be fair, we are not on Tatooine in Galaxy’s Edge but Batuu but we still got a space bar. That made Oga’s Cantina one of my requirements for my first trip to the land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now that I have drank there enough, to enjoy every pint they have, I feel like I can give it a fair review.

First, and foremost the immersion is awesome. You feel like you are in a Galaxy Far Far Away for the most part. Other guests are walking around in robes and with lightsabers. Maybe you got harassed by First Order Troopers as you wandered in. The interior feels like you are walking into Star Wars with all the right khaki tones, tables, and gizmos on the walls. Best of all is DJ Rex. My family thinks I am a weirdo for many reasons. But one of those is the fact that I personally jam out to Rex. I had listened to all his tracks for years before my first visit because they really set the vibe for reading Star Wars books and comics. Rex is always a highlight. 

DJ Rex Rules the Room

Though I really love the design and theme, it’s not all bounties and booze in here. I recommend that every first-timer go for themselves with the following caveats. You need to get a reservation. Unlike a lounge, you are not going to just walk in and take a seat. Many days you can join a walk-up waitlist. But if it’s a really busy day that list can be closed. Even if you get in, you will only have 45 minutes so don’t loiter. The cast members are really good about making sure you get two orders in…but you may need to slam a drink instead of sipping. You have no ability to determine where you will be placed. Typically my party of 4 to 5 has had to stand which can be a pain on a busy park day with sore feet. And even when we got to sit, my party has always been added to another with personal space being an afterthought. But don’t worry, it’s not like you can chit-chat because it’s real loud, and not just because of Rex’s sweet sweet jams. And finally, apparently, the exchange rate to credits is not in the dollar’s favor as every pint is a few dollars more than found outside of Galaxy’s Edge. 

Oga's Cantina Bar

For the pints, my personal ranking is the following:

• “Bad Motivator IPA” - A crisp and traditional IPA, which is by far my favorite galactic pint

• “Gamorrean Ale” - Everyone has a 3.25 rated red ale

• “Surabat Valley Harvest Brew” - Surprising approachable watermelon sour…which feels spacy

• “Gold Squadron Lager” - For those who enjoy a macro lager

I have also enjoyed, a solid but not remarkable wheat beer here, “Trandoshan Ale”, which is not at this time on tap. But knowing this beer is in the cellar and seeing Disneyland’s tap list varies from Walt Disney World's make it clear that the list can and does change.

It’s not the beer that gets the social media likes for Oga’s. Let's be honest, that’s the vodka based “Fuzzy Tauntaun” with the tingling pile of buzz button foam on top. My rebel cell has shared several of the sweet pre-mixed concoctions with and without alcohol. They are generally sweet, and served dramatically as space drinks. The great thing is there is something for everyone on the menu in liquid form…for your 45 minutes in hyperspace. 

The Fuzzy Tauntaun

The food offerings would scare you no matter what galaxy you are in, and I have never ordered any food and likely will never turn to the dark side and make that choice. Honestly, if the dark side has cookies, they should put a cookie on the menu. Cookies go better with beer than you think padawans!


Who Drinks Here? I mean Star Wars fans, force users and bounty hunters. If you are coming to Galaxy’s Edge for the very first time, you really do need to hear DJ Rex spin some records. Maybe it’s a special event like a birthday for a grown adult. Now Batuu doesn’t have birthdays! Bu Oga’s Cantina is literally a right of passage for grown men to become kids. Kids that can drink! However, if it’s somewhere to go to people watch, chill out, enjoy a more reasonably priced pint beer, or just walk up for a point. For that…you will need to go to BaseLine Tap House.

Beer Review - Warsteiner Dunkel

A Pint of Warsteiner Dunkel

It’s hot and I’m getting ready to watch “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.” And I need to hold down my spot for a bit before the nighttime spectacular! A pint is required Being in World Showcase, it has to be international in style and my heart is singing Dunkel, Dunkel, Dunkel! Because my beer needs to have some darker malt to quench my thirst.

“Warsteiner Dunkel” is found in the Germany Pavilion. I purchased mine from the beer cart next to the lagoon on the main walkway, where you can also find the “Schöfferhofer Prickly Pear Hefeweizen.” In fact while in line I had to talk up the Prickly Pear option to a couple behind me. He found it a little silly, I reassured him that it was refreshing! But we need to get back on track! “Warsteiner Dunkel” can be found on other menus in Germany, including Biergarten Restaurant. It’s a light-tasting beer with 28 IBUs, but has a nice smooth malt tone to it. It’s also only 4.8% ABV. The dark color may make it seem like a heavy beer not meant for a hot evening. But Dunkel really is a light beer in taste, so don’t be afraid. It’s light but slightly malty beer!

I was lucky as I lived in an area with a brewery founded by German immigrants over 100 years ago and still following German brewing traditions today. This allowed me to sample some high-quality German-style beers made in America. Warsteiner makes this beer perfectly to style. On Untappd, the beer has over 100,000 ratings and a 3.65 rating out of 5. This beer is a success, and you taste the tradition, style, and workmanship in the cup. 

A Pint for Sunset!

We really should not be surprised. Warsteiner has been owned by the same German family since 1753, so there has been plenty of time to refine the recipes at this Warstein, Germany brewery. We could only wish that some of our favorite craft breweries today could have long family histories like this 100 years from now. In 1753, farmer Antonius Cramer was taxed for producing more beer than he was legally allowed to personally consume, creating a brewery. Today, his ninth-generation descendant leads the brewery. 

Who Drinks This? This is a great example of what Epcot can do to bring food and drink to Disney guests. Those who want an authentic experience, and try a German import that may not be as prevalent outside of the park should grab a pint. I find it refreshing, and a great beverage for people watching while I await the night. It is a brew that makes one feel as if they authentically are in Germany.