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. 

Brewery Review - Celebration Brewing

Celebration Brewing

How do we define one’s local craft brewery? What does it need to have? I have thought about this a lot due to my current need for a local in Central Florida.

So what do I need from my local? First, location, location, location…it needs to be located near where you spend a lot of your time. Second, naturally, it has to have some solid beer options. They don’t need to be unicorn beers. But you need to be able to find something enjoyable anytime you roll in. Finally, you have to feel welcomed. Yes, I know every watering hole should be that way. But let’s be honest, Oga’s doesn’t always feel comfortable, especially when they remind you of your time limit. While BaseLine is always easy and relaxing once one has a table.

Let’s start with location! While New York Beer Project is fairly close to the Magic Kingdom, there is a brewery just a smidge closer to most of Walt Disney World property. Celebration Brewing Company in Celebration has shown on my GPS as being anywhere between 8 and 12 minutes from my car sitting in Disney parking lots. It just can’t be beat for location, location, location for a Disney adult who needs to get out of the park fast, get something to eat or drink, and then get back to the action. Location…Check!

Second, let’s roll into beer. Reminder, everyone, alcohol rules are weird across states. So Celebration Brewing offers both their stable of beers and guest taps from across the U.S. I can report that, well, I’ve had a lot of them. I can’t report on second sips…as I’ve had eight Celebration beers, some with multiple pints, and counting. I’ve had flights and pints, with my general list so far:

A Celebration Flight

• “Storm Strong” is my unexpected favorite Celebration brew so far. It’s a big 9.5% ABV Belgian Strong Ale with 30 IBUs, and despite Belgian beers not being a favorite for me, a Strong can really sell me. This beer balances sweetness with a light funkiness dialed in. I would love to see what this would do in a barrel!

• “Superdelacashilistickrushelanidocious” is impossible to spell but is a gentle and approachable New England IPA with 35 IBUs and 6.7% ABV. It’s a nice place to start if you want to sample IPA, with a Disney Adult-loving name (which will be a recurring theme).

• “Front Porch IPA” is a piney IPA with a bite at 6.1% AVU and 68 IBUs. It’s got a bit which makes it a little less approachable for the new IPA drinker. But, I would argue this is the flagship, resin-packed IPA that every brewery needs.

• “Back Porch” is a Double IPA with 8.8% ABV and 70 IBUs. This is a blend of hop bite with a fruity aftertaste, with a little more punch for the IPA drinker who wants it to feel like Christmas on their palate.

• “Old Dogs New Trick” continues our IPA run, with an anniversary beer brewed with Ten10. It’s 9.5% ABV with 21 IBUs. And we have a new type of IPA, with the Milkshake IPA, which uses lactose to smooth out the bite along with blackberries. The description calls out soft vanilla, in an IPA, and I was like yeah this is going to be weird (in a bad way). No, this was different in a good way. It does a very nice job of balancing pine flavor with the sweet berries.

• “We Wants the Redhead” at 5.3% ABV and 21 IBUs is Celebration’s required Red Ale. It’s a malty beer with a little hop punch. For the newer beer fan in my group this is their go-to…but I think it’s because of the Disneyfied name!

• “Four Corners Kolsch” is a style that I don’t usually dig, at 5% ABV and 21 IBUs. For a hot day, it was very light and refreshing with some hop and spice flavor. It wasn’t just purely clean as you often expect from a Kolsh but something that had flavor. This is a good hot day beer, not that there’s ever a hot day in Florida.

• “Posh Porter” is a 6.7% ABV with 40 IBUs using Posh Pretzels and advertising the tones of chocolate. It is a nice porter that is very malty to me with some slight sweetness.  

As you can see, the beer names rely heavily on their closeness to the theme parks, Celebration’s community, and Orlando’s history. These names make it a little more fun for me, even if I can’t always spell them.

But that’s not all! Did I mention the guest taps? I’ve gotten a nice spread of guest beers here, including:

"Storm Strong"

• “Green Power” a solid Imperial IPA from New York’s Other Half Brewing Co., with 8% ABV and no IBUs. It’s a highly rated national beer that was hazy, fruity, and not overly hoppy. I find that many locations, including Celebration, tend to have an Other Half IPA on tap.

• “Nevermore” from Woven Water in Tampa is an Imperial Stout at 8.5% ABV with no IBUs again. It’s nice and sweet with some vanilla tones, and best, and oddly enough, for a Florida Imperial Stout, no lactose. I grab lactose-free versions as often as I can.

• “Juice Lord and Savior” from Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa is a Double Dry-Hopped version of their popular “Juice Lord,” which you can find in cans and taps all over the Orlando area. So I had to grab the variant. Like “Green Power,” it was juicy by not overly hoppy.

• I said, a local doesn’t need a unicorn. Yet, here we are. “Seven Notes in Black” is one of my favorite beers I have had in Florida, which includes Tampa, my friends. It’s a giant 14.5% ABV Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with no IBUs. This treat is malty, sweet, and has a additional sweet tone from living in a Rittenhouse Rye barrels and 20-year Elijah Craig barrels. And…I will likely never have it again as Hollywood, Florida’s The Hallway Tap & Brew has closed. I would say pour one out, but it’s a waste to spill any of this unicorn. You will be remembered!

"Seven Notes in Black"

There are numerous non-beer options available. For those looking for boozy drinks, members of my party have had seltzers, wines, specialty cocktails, and they have a regular cocktail menu, where I may someday try an Old-Fashioned if “Storm Strong” is not on tap and nothing else catches my eye. Everyone at every age will find something they can enjoy with their meals and conversation. You must have a conversation at a local.

Korean Noodle Bowl

Food at Celebration Brewing feels like just as much of an attraction. A staple of the family has become the Korean Noodle Bowl, which one member of the family claims is better than the nearby noods, at a lower price. I have had several burgers, which have been filling and enjoyable with me often choosing the rotating special. And rotation is a key here, as I often don’t know what I am eating till I see the weekly special. I do have to admit, in my quest to find the best pretzel in Central Florida, I slept a little bit on “The Big Twist,” which is nice and soft, but also topped with everything seasoning, a personal favorite. It is a contender for best pretzel! 

"The Big Twist"

The setting itself is bright and full of light from the windows. There are multiple seating types accommodating numerous parties.  Finally, being in a strip mall, there's a lot of parking! 

Who Drinks Here? Me I drink here. I think Celebration is my local now! It is simply just too close to the Disney parks, has a lot of beer and non-beer options that will satisfy nearly everyone in a party. Along with the drinks, there is a nice rotation of food, where I’ve never had the same thing twice. And finally, it’s very comfortable with the air conditioning pumping and welcoming staff to parties ranging from solo drinkers to entire families sharing in celebrations at Celebration.


In fact…I may just be there tonight!

The Celebration Brewing "Beer" Sign