Beer Review - Duff

"Duff" Beer

I think Universal Studios Florida’s Fast Food Boulevard in Springfield USA has been designed to steal the joy of all guests and team members in the building. As the home of Krusty Burger and Flaming Moe’s it should be fun. But the addition of Lisa’s Teahouse of Horror, The Frying Dutchman, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, and Luigi’s Pizza steals all whimsy as you navigate a food course best abandoned in the 1980s.

Sure you think you know where the line starts. You don’t. A very unhappy team member will redirect you. Then you can enter the switchbacked second line. Once you clear that, you can get in line at each restaurant you want to order and pick up at. If you are lucky, there’s no line to pay as everyone is in line trying to juggle trays in their next lines. Well, you won’t wait, unless your kind team member is in the middle of a story with the team members standing behind them, I mean we’ve all told those stories to colleagues that must be finished. They need to pass these stories as the majority of guests are bouncing between and standing in all the other lines.

I’ve literally seen team members get into screaming fights here (it was over five years ago and I assume those team members are gone)! It’s not a place I ever want to go, and when my out-of-town guests stated they really wanted a “Duff” and a Krusty Burger, I yelled, “Doh!”

Spoiler, he grabbed a pizza not a burger and I grumbled about preferring Minion food!

I needed a beer after the multiple lines to grab food. And since we all got our food at different times and I was eating alone as my party stared at me, I needed an adult beverage to calm my nerves. “Duff” is a no IBU, 4.8% ABV beer from Carib Brewery USA. It is a beer with the flavor of…beer. It has no hop at all. And while I view this as “Duff Heavy” the lack of strong flavor made me wonder if the light version had any flavor. It is completely and utterly fine, but has no outstanding qualities to it other than name to make me ever want to sample another one other than the two I’ve had over the years.

Sorry Homer, your taste in beer and mine don’t match.

Who Drinks This? To me this beer has two audiences. First, you may be a big fan of macrobrewery pilsners and lagers. Since you are in Springfield, this is your offering in this category. Though to be 100, I prefer a “Yuengling Traditional Lager.” Second, you’re a big fan of The Simpsons so you need for the immersive experience a Krusty Burger and a “Duff!” Live your dream! Me, if I need to order a beer in Springfield, maybe I will be lucky and it’s “Dufftobfest” season. Or maybe more likely, I’ll plan to have a beer over in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter instead!

Also, I would 100 percent urge you to not pick it up within Fast Food Boulevard which is neither fast nor a boulevard. Order your’s at the Duff Brewery beer garden and reclaim your time!

Beer Review - Dufftoberfest

Prost to Dufftoberfest!

I’m old! I’m still on Facebook!

As an old dude, I’m in Facebook groups focused on theme parks. Suddenly in one of these groups, there was an explosion of posts, “it’s back, I can’t believe it, go now.” But it was in Springfield at Universal Studios Florida…the portion of the park that I enter the least, usually when just passing through. But everyone was raving about the winterish return of “Dufftoberfest”!

“Dufftoberfest” is another specialty beer at Universal brewed by Carib Brewery USA. It’s a Marzen, or as you might think of it Octoberfest. It’s a nice copper-colored brew with 30 IBUs and a 5.5% ABV. Honestly, it’s nice. It is a very typical Marzen flavor, slightly less malty and bready than Yuengling’s “Octoberfest” my current Marzen of choice. But it is truly brewed to style, refreshing, and has more of a flavor backbone than one would expect from a lager like “Duff which I’ve not had for several years. I think I like it a little better than Samual Adams’ current recipe. 

Dufftoberfest!

I just don’t find myself pulled into Springfield even though there are themed beers. This is likely the first time in a year that I intentionally pointed to the land of Bart Simpson, despite the “Duff” that drinkers can find everywhere. I feel like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has both themed beers and theming that I just enjoy more.
 

Who Drinks This? If you find yourself in Springfield for a meal, you are going to need to sample a “Duff” beer. “Dufftoberest” is by my style preferences, the one I would personally select off a menu. I just don’t often find myself here but instead, head to other areas of the park. But in this case, it was enough to pull me into the land and I will admit I like it better than some of the Wizarding lighter beers. I will say it again, let’s make drinking Marzen normal all year long. And I can find myself wandering back if it’s still on tap during other times of the year.

Brewing Review - Half Barrel Beer Project

Half Barrel Beer Project has a special place in my heart. It was the first brewery that I visited in the Orlando area. It’s also the one that is the easiest for me to convince others to grab a quick pint at. It feels like there is always something interesting on tap for me and for others. If the taps don’t have what I want, the fridge is always stocked with something fun, cool, and new.

Half Barrel is a 12-minute, 6-mile drive from Universal Studios Florida. Best of all, it’s right next to the future Epic Universe. We use a visit to Half Barrel to catch a glimpse at the new hotels and the state of construction. When Epic is up and running, Half Barrel is truly the closest craft brewery to the park. in the last year, Half Barrel tore down some walls and added more space, maybe anticipating what’s going on across the street. I think this is an investment likely to pay off as guests next year focus many of their visits around the future 4th Universal theme park. 

Half Barrel Beer Project

The tap room is pretty compact, it used to be more so. It was all one relatively small room with a bar, some low tables, and some pub tables. But in the last year, they added space with more seating including a couch for a large party comfy space. There are a few patio tables out front. It is small but clean and comfy. The small room means that everyone in the main room can see games playing on the TVs above the bar. However, my drinking partner is convinced that the wifi is slow. It is located in a strip mall/apartment complex so parking is a bit limited. Overall the vibe is friendly and inviting with couples and friends engaged in lively debates over their glasses.

Let’s look at the beer! We recently slipped in after their 7th Anniversary party to grab a pint of celebratory recipes.

"Put the Pineapple Ice Cream in the Coconut"

• “Put the Pineapple Ice Cream in the Coconut” was the reason for our visit. My partner really enjoys their 2019 Orlando Beer Festival Judges Choice Award, “Put the Lime in the Coconut” which I’ve been stalking for months for them to put back on tap post brewery expansion. This version has Dole Whip in it. This house loves Dole Whip. Half Barrel has shown success with other Dole Whip beers in “No-Churn Pineapple Dole Whipped” which is one of my favorite Dole Whip-based beers in Orlando. I again stand by the argument that every brewery in Orlando needs a Dole Whip adjacent beer. “Put the Pineapple Ice Cream in the Coconut” was a delight. My drinking companion stole the whole chalice. I found it to be a nice combination of pineapple and coconut flavor where both shined and were distinct, with a slight sour pucker on the end.. Happy Anniversary, this is a great sour that fruity beer drinkers are likely to enjoy. The newest Dole Whipish beer has 0 IBUs and only is 4.2% ABV.

"No-Churn Pineapple Dole Whipped"

For my next two beers, I grabbed tasters. I mean… someone has to drive.

Two Tasters: "Dreamscape Daze" and "Pretzel Logic"

• “Dreamscape Daze” is an anniversary IPA that was dry-hopped with experimental hops from Michigan. Now, Midwest experimental hops can be a bad adventure sometimes. It’s not a region known for hops! This IPA has a 6.6% ABV and is listed as 0 IBUs, which is an odd bitterness for an IPA. Honestly, it has a lighter mouthfeel and the hop flavors to me were more spicey and herbal than piney. It was something that I would not typically grab, but I was glad I tried it and exposed myself to new flavors.

• “Pretzel Logic” is an Angry Chair Brewing milk stout with a big 11.5% ABV and 0 IBUs (a theme of the night. I have found a few great Angry Chair stouts on tap or in the fridge here. I recommend grabbing one, even the not barrel-aged cans when you can as they are full of complex flavor. This stout has a nice sweet and bready front when it hits the tongue and finished to me like a very traditional dry stout.

Honestly, it was a very successful weekday stop at a fun craft brewery.

While we have focused on beer, there are other options including several wines for those who don’t want beer. They have also expanded their food options in the last year, moving past what I would see as snack options to meals.

As I’ve said before, beer laws are weird. Half Barrel continues to show this with their taps which are generally 2/3rds filled with guest breweries and their packaged guest fridge where you can grab cans and bottles to drink on-site at home or hotel room. The selection does overlap some with GB’s Bottle Shop, which honestly has a slightly bigger selection. However, the advantage for Half Barrel is they keep the selection updated on their website. So you can know before you go what is currently stocked. If you are visiting Universal Studios, this is a great place to grab a can or three craft beers from across the nation for your fridge. I have been able to discover IPAs from California (which was collaborating with BlackStack), Toppling Goliath 4-packs, Lupulin Brewing stouts and IPAs, German Ayinger Octoberfest while in season, and so many other labels that I had wanted to try for years. Every time I go, I look across the table, declare that I’m going shopping, and then pick up at least one to-go beverage for later sipping.

Who Drinks Here? Craft beer fans who want to try a variety from around the country should stop in at Half Barrel Beer Project. I’d say you never know what you will find, but they do an excellent job of keeping their offerings updated online. If you are staying at a Universal Studios resort, this is a great grab-and-go spot to stock a room fridge. For those looking to visit and take a break from Epic in the future, this is a great potential spot to grab some food, pints, and air conditioning. And there’s a good chance that those Between Whips may find an alcoholic version of the famed Disney treat.

Beer Review - Wizard's Brew

Looking Up Towards the Gringotts Wizarding Bank

It’s a dark evening and a green light illuminates the streets.

Death Eaters are scurrying around the bystanders inspecting arms for dark marks. I wander over and show the tallest my mark, pointing my wand at a Jungle Cruise boat where the dark mark should be. He looks at me, looks at my wife, and glances into the camera saying with no words, “This Guy!”

With this proud Hufflepuff staring down a dark wizard, it was time to slide over to The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley. I grabbed some “Frozen Butterbeers” for my loved ones and a “Wizard’s Brew” to reward myself for facing off against evil. A Death Eater did run through the line, but I had my wand at the ready. 

A Pint of "Wizard's Brew"

“Wizard’s Brew” is a beer, I’ve tried to make appear a few times. I keep trying to accio it in the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade, but it’s exclusive to Universal Studio’s Florida and Diagon Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’ve been wanting to grab this pint because it’s the stout offering among the Wizarding beers. And if anything howls English beer to me it’s porters and stouts. This is a 5.7 ABV milk stout with 0 IBUs. The zero IBU stands out, as the malty finish gives it a taste of sweet bread. The mouthfeel is very silky and pleasant. To me, this is very much a beautiful marriage of an English brew and a Wizarding ale at the same time. It is what I have been looking for in the Wizarding World and so sets the mood.

Now others in my party did not agree. They took a big sip and made a face, as this is a dark brown to black colored beer. And I think the color sets an expectation of what one should be tasting bitterness. No additional sips were taken or offered. I think if they were blindfolded, they may have had a different opinion of the potion. Me…I want a sweet cookie to pair with this, and I’ll admit I traded sips between “Wizard’s Brew” and “Butterbeer”. I found this to be a really mellow and relaxing sipping treat.
 

This is another Wizard beer from Carib Brewing USA. As a stout a sweet or milk stout relies on the flavor from the dark malts making it bready. But there is typically an additional flavor punch from the addition of milk sugar or lactose. And as you can imagine that does add silkiness, the creamy element, and the sweetness, the sugar. It can transfigure a more normal or dry style stout into that sweet bready pint that I enjoyed as dueling wizards attacked the Death Eaters around me.

Who Drinks This? Me! If you like dark beers or English-style craft beers, this is for you and are in Diagon Alley so only Wizarding pints for you. I’d like to see a barrel-aged beer in a Central Florida theme park, but know due to tastes and profit margins that won’t happen. However, if dark beers are not your style or taste…you may need to look for a “Dark Forest Ale” or a “Hog’s Head Brew” instead. Sadly for the Beertenders of the Hog’s Head, I will probably still try to order it in Islands of Adventure.

Beer Review - Oh Baby King Cake Brown Ale

A Pint of "Oh Baby King Cake Brown Ale"

I’ve been to New Orleans and I found I didn’t enjoy it. That was shocking to me. There’s so much history there, and I allowed myself to enjoy museums and national sites. But the city’s vibe wasn’t for me and I did not enjoy the food at that time.

I’ve been to Disney versions of New Orleans and loved every moment of it. Bring on the beignets my friends! Tiana, let’s get some of those tasty treats into the Magic Kingdom!

Recently I got to explore my first Universal Parks version of New Orleans with Mardi Gras. I saw there was a themed beer brewed by the local Crooked Can Brewing Company. A themed craft beer for a special event, I’m in!

"Oh Baby King Cake Brown Ale", tells you in the name that it should remind you of a Mardi Gras' king cake. So I expected sweetness and cinnamon. I’ve had several brews with cinnamon as a featured flavor, and it is generally a nice standout. But I am afraid that while the beer had a mild sweetness, cinnamon or any spice just didn’t rise to meet me. I drank this accompanied by a small king cake, my first, and could see how a king cake-themed beer could balance sweetness and cinnamon burn. But slight sweetness is all it gave me. Will I get another of this 7% ABV and 0 IBU brew? Well, there’s a decent chance as I have a refillable glass that I can use to get discounted fills in the future. And as I didn’t love this beer, I also didn’t hate it and found it to be pleasant and refreshing. 

A Mardi Gras King Cake

The beer itself is a dobblebock. A German-style that roughly translates to double bock. So double the sweet dark lager. " Oh Baby’s" nice caramel brown shade is spot on for the style. It is known for its sweetness, but not overly powerful sweetness. And I feel like "Oh Baby" is well within the flavor style. I also think the style is a good choice for a darker beer that can seem dangerous to those who don’t believe dark beer is for them, but in flavor is far from intimidating or overpowering.
 

Who Drinks This? If you are enjoying Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida Park, you are looking to find unique themed beers and snacks. You will want to check this one off your to-enjoy list! But for a cup refill, you may seek another beer. If you enjoy pilsners or lagers but are worried about darker colored liquids, give this a shot too! When an imaginary New Orleans…enjoy the brews.

Beer Review - Dragon Scale

The goal of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort is that you are in a world of magic…so no regular, muggle-made, junk can creep into this world. Everything you see is unique to the theme and setting because you’re a Wizard (insert name here), meaning no Big Named Beers for you! Evanesco Budweiser!


 

A Pint of Dragon Scale

Accio Dragon Scale!

Dragon Scale, a wizarding beer, can be found throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Recently, I had one at The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. I was instantly hit with the red color, which reminded me of the red eyes of the Ukrainian Ironbelly, the largest and most ferocious of dragons. But sadly, this breed’s scales are not red but gray. The color is nice, with you being able to see through the glass to reveal your favorite witch or wizard sitting across the table. The potion, described as a red lager, in the magical plastic pint, tasted miraculously like beer.

When I say beer that tastes like beer, that’s my general description of a common lager. It is what one has come to expect from those days of mindless drinking before our alcohol intake became a cool new annoying hobby. And here, it does taste like a beer but slightly elevated. The malts to create the red color, give off some grainy flavor that is quite pleasant. But it is a lager that tastes like a solid, drinkable, crushable lager that still has enough flavor wizards who turn their noses up to beer that cannot be named are not allowed to mock you. With an ABV of 5.3%, it is also possible you might have a few. It is super approachable, as long as you like the taste of, well, beer. It has no hop bite at all. So it should be approachable for many.

All kidding aside. It is hard to make a good lager, especially for a craft brewery, which really needs to get the liquid out of tanks and into the hands of wizards. But the potion masters seem to have put it all together. A wizard brewery hidden in the muggle world named Carib Brewery USA, makes this concoction over at Cape Canaveral. Hmmm, that’s an odd name. Oh, because it’s not a small craft wizard or witch. No, Carib Brewery is a Trinidad-based brewery that used to have contracts with InBev, the makers of Budweiser. They purchased the Florida Beer Company in 2016, and it is clear they have brought the lessons of making large-scale lagers outside of the US at their production site in Florida!

Honestly, I’m not a lager-loving wizard. But drinking a Dragon Scale while sitting in a themed restaurant, and carrying your first wand at your side, Maple and Unicorn, just seems magical. Just remember to drink and apparate responsibly!

Who Drinks This? So you’ve been in Universal’s theme parks all day. You got yourself a refillable cup, congratulations on earning house cup points for showing that wisdom. You’ve been filling it with Bud Light or Coors Light of the Muggle World. Now that you’re in a magical place these brands are no longer an option! This is a beer for you! You just need to understand that the color does not mean the beer is going to be too dragony and adventurous!