Venue Review - The Burning Blade Tavern

The Burning Blade Tavern

I like some Wizarding World of Harry Potter beers. The Hog’s Head is my favorite hangout and sip location. But with the announcements of Universal Epic Universe, it wasn’t The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic that I most wanted to visit. It was, shockingly enough Dark Universe. I hate scary things! As I previewed Epic Universe, on my own dime, I will agree that Darkmoor is wonderful, immersive, and a place that I wish to visit again. Among the attractions in this spooky land is The Burning Blade tavern, with theming and specialty beer. While my family had attractions as their must-dos on our preview day, it was this pub with its distinctive burning windmill that I most wanted to hit.

The Burning Blade Tavern was my second stop in the Dark Universe. “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment” was stop number one…and well worth it. I was excited after hitting that attraction, and now my heart pounded as I saw the unburning blades of the windmill (spoiler, I never saw them burn). It skipped a beat as I opened the door and found…a giant crowd! The inside was dark and crowded. The side and back wall featured a long bar, with a lot of disorganization to order with some monster heads behind the bartenders. There was a smattering of tall tables. It was a bit overwhelming. But boom, mobile order! I put in our order, walked up to the bar, trying to find where one could pick up the order, which said it was ready, and was told to go outside. Outside on a patio, I found a few more standing tables, one window that did not indicate a mobile order pickup, and a long line. It’s that line I was told I could pick up from once I was informed my order was ready! So, I had gone mobile to stand in another line, which may have been longer than the inside lines. Only because my party had multiple people were we able to hold a table while I waited to pick up our food and drinks.

A monster hunter did enter the patio while I waited, and he was very entertaining. Not Igor entertaining, but definitely still fun. And it was needed as the process I used to save time didn’t save any time.

"Reaper's Reserve"

For me, what I have been dreaming of is “Reaper’s Reserve,” a brown ale with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It’s a no IBU, 5% ABV offering. Now I know it’s never winter except in Hogsmeade in Universal, but it screamed Winter Warmer to me. Crooked Can brews the ale of the monster hunters, like many Universal specialty beers. I found the brown liquid to be almost purple in the right lighting, which gave it a spooky feeling. The taste was a light flavored light brown ale malty flavor with some baking spices, especially cinnamon. It was nice and enjoyable. Now my non-beer drinking companions in the group made “ugh” faces as they sipped. But as a dark beer fan, I found it enjoyable and something I would consider again. But I can see how a brown ale doesn’t scream refreshing in the heat.


The table also grabbed a “Darkthrone Mead,” another exclusive drink. It’s a blackcurrant boysenberry vanilla mead with a pink peppercorn infusion. It is a 12% ABV with no IBUs. It’s also a Florida creation, coming from Brewlihan, a meadery in Oakland Park, FL. It was a sweet and refreshing drink that “screamed” of berry jammy flavors.

For food we grabbed three items to share. The “Hunter’s Garlic Stake” is a garlic butter pretzel with a garlic dipping sauce. Honestly, it was a solid, but not my favorite, pretzel-like treat. We grabbed the “Staked Grilled Chicken,” a char-grilled chicken skewer with garlic naan, tzatziki, shaved cabbage, and a salsa roja. This was our least favorite item. It was so wet, with water sitting on the spinach and naan. Finally, we shared “Burning Cheddar Bites,” which are crispy fried jalapeno cheddar bites with a sriracha ranch. These had mixed reviews at the table, with the spice level either being too much or just right. We also found that we had to attack them with one bite. We know it’s a preview, and we as a group kinda hope the quality improves a smidge. At the moment, we would grab the Stake as being the most pretzel-like.


Who Drinks Here? Monster Hunters…Monster Hunters drink here. I love Dark Universe, and I hate scary things! I like the vibes that the Burning Blade may provide in the future as the newness wears off, some operations change, and maybe some tweaks to the food. It was a preview day, so things will change. I think most drinkers will find “Darkthorne Mead” to be a refreshing, safe choice, served in a small glass to fight the big ABV. And for those of us collecting all the specialty beers, “Reaper’s Reserve” must be enjoyed!


But sadly, it’s not the Hog’s Head of Epic Universe! Yet!

Beer Review - Volcano Blossom

 

I just wanted a beach beer. And instead, I got a mystery and a reminder of the problems of crowd-sourced data!

We headed off the the bay…Volcano Bay. And with a planned long day of fighting the fearless river and a water coaster, I knew that I would be picking up Volcano Bay’s specialty beer!

"Volcano Blossom"

“Volcano Blossom” is a no IBU, 5.5% ABV Pilsner. It’s a brew from Orange Blossom Brewing Company exclusively for Universal's third park, Volcano Bay. I found it fine. It’s a beer with no bite, and some slight fruity sweetness. It’s a lightly sweet beer that tastes like beer.

But here’s in the controversy. I had this beer around five years ago. And this pint reminded me of those first sips…beer flavor with no hop bite and nothing exciting to my palate. It’s a nice, not overly heavy beer that fits a theme park where you want some refreshment that won’t hold you down on a water slide. But, when I went to enter my sips into Untappd, I found two “Volcano Blossom” entries, and both exclusive to Volcano Bay. Somewhere, somehow, a second entry was set up by a beer fan for an exclusive Cigar City “Volcano Blossom” with an IPA style. Basically, it’s reported as a fruited “Jai Alai,” which, like the Pilsner version, is actively being rated on in the app. But let me reassure you, this IPA version does not exist. I assume you can likely find “Jai Alai” in the park. But “Volcano Blossom” is, as Orange Blossom Brewing reports on their website, is a Pilsner, brewed by them, and exclusive to the park. There is only one “Volcano Blossom.” I do wonder if, once upon a time, there may have been an IPA version from Cigar City. But if so, it’s not now, and it’s not when I visited Volcano Bay the first time over five years ago. What likely happened is a drinker enjoyed one or two, thought it reminded them of “Jai Alai” and dropped in an entry for the beer they imagined. But we got to stop rating the fictional Cigar City brew. 

 
Who Drinks This? You like Pilsners, including macrobrands, and are having fun at the beach, this is for you. If you are a Pale Ale or IPA fan, you may find the lack of bite a little underwhelming. But you’ve joined the islanders, and you need to enjoy their beer at least once. It will keep you in the mood and allow you to fight the waves!

Beer Review - The Triple

"The Triple"

It is the beer that cannot be named. Because if you order it with the Harry Potter trademarked name fans prefer, you won’t get one! Also, it’s not technically a brew but we’ve reentered the world of potions and beer blends.

I wandered into the Hog’s Head, one of my favorite attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now, I needed a line beer for Hagrid’s! But I wanted something different and since I have drank all of the specialty wizard beers and wanted something new, I grabbed a “Triple.” Now, this blend can be ordered as “The Triple” or “Three-Layer” or “Triple-Layer” beer. They will all get this potion mixed up for you. I felt more magical than my buddy who ordered a “Yuengling Lager” for our slow stroll to the motorbikes

The pint is a blend of two beers and a cider. The bottom layer is “Strongbow Cider”, the middle is a “Hog’s Head Brew,” and it’s topped off with “Guinness Stout.” Now you can mix this all up, but me, I drank this three-brew potion sip by sip, letting the layers mingle together while still keeping their black, amber, and yellow stripes distinctly clear and clean. But the middle and bottom both have some sweet tones to balance the malty start. 

"Yuengling Traditional Lager" and A "The Triple"

Overall, the flavor starts malty as you dip into the stout. But before the malty liquid layer is gone, you begin to hit some sweetness. The cider sweetness seeps into the ale in the middle even more as they mingle together longer. Then you get a nice sweet punch at the end, where the ale mellows out the sweetness of the cider just a pinch. It’s a journey in a plastic pint.

It’s a journey in a plastic pint. You get different taste experiences with the first sips and the last sips not matching. And the middle becomes a muddled up potion of different yet pleasant flavors.

Who Drinks This? Honestly, if I am at the Hog’s Head, I think I would choose a “Hog’s Head” or a “Daisy Root.” This is for someone who wants to experience something new or already has a taste for it. But I think if you want a pure Wizard beer…well, 2 of these brands have international audiences. It’s fun and sweet, but to me, it’s more for a mood than fitting a wizarding theme!

Beer Review - Gathering of the Clouds

"Gathering of the Clouds"

I wanted to people-watch.

I wanted something dark and having lived in a barrel.

Instead, I got something Hazy and I found a nice starter beer for those who want to explore IPA styles.

We had friends who had never been to Disney Springs and wanted some good food before they went back to the chilly Midwest. Coming from the Midwest, we figured they’d like some BBQ, and Polite Pig is an easy winner especially since we could just walk in. I was hoping that maybe “Blantons Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout” was still on tap. That was a dream lost in the clouds and instead, I found the newest seasonal “Gathering of the Clouds”, a beer very unlike a barrel-aged stout.

“Gathering of the Clouds” is from Polite Pig’s sister brewpub Ravenous Pig Brewing Company and is a 10 IBU, 6.5% ABV Hazy IPA, of the big Imperial Double New England Variety. I see the words double and imperial and worry many will run away from this brew as a storm in a glass. It is not. Honestly, it’s what I would call a light hazy beer, despite being an imperial. Most imperials would creep up to a 10% ABV, this is nearly half of that. It’s not overly hoppy, though you can sense some hop going to citrus, not pine. But it’s also not overly juicy. Is Light Hazy a new phrase, because I feel pretty good about it! The dark golden color that obscures all light is truly hazy and what I would expect and hope to see in this style.  

Who Drinks This? You want to try out a hazy IPA but are a little scared, give “Gathering of the Clouds” a quick whirl. If you like IPAs and hazys, I think this is worth a pint to experience what the whole range of Hazy IPA can offer.

Beer Review - Spa Goggles

I’m spoiled. Because I can head off to an Epcot festival for dinner when no one wants to cook!

Now my traveling party, they had goals. They had beer goals. And as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not overly excited about any beers at the 2025 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. So I let them harvest the bevys for me.

First on their list was Ology Brewing Co.’s “Spa Goggles.” “Spa Goggles” is a 4% ABV, no IBU cucumber lime Gose sour ale. This brew can be found at “Trowel & Trellis”, near the front of the World Showcase, right before Mexico. Gose to me instantly yells out puckery. So while one should expect cucumber and lime flavors, it’s possible that the lime would be super sour and make one smack their lips together. Gose always tells me this is not a all fruit bomb. I asked the cast member what they thought of the beer, and she told me that she had not sampled it and of all the beers she has sold…she sells “Spa Goggles” the least. So I grabbed a small pour for my group, which is the joy of a festival that offers multiple sizes and when the public seems a little scared of the brew.  

"Spa Goggles"

I found myself surprised! The cucumber was the first flavor that struck me. I love cucumbers and will eat them as snacks. The flavor was strong enough, I swear I could taste the peel. The lime was present but not overpowering. But best of all for a Gose, while it’s sour, it wasn’t uncomfortably so. It was definitely more pleasant and refreshing han I could had hoped for.

Ology Brewing Co. has been brewing with a scientific approach since 2017 out of the Tampa area. Founder and brewer Nick Walker has a background in biology and connects his own scientific approach to a history of family research scientists. The focus on experimentation tells me Ology is a brewery willing to try different and odd brews, are big on experimentation, and makes me think that if one were to visit a tap roo,m you would find something unexpected at all times. 

"Elderflower-Cucumber Margarita"

But this was not the end of the cucumber harvest for my party. Nearby at “Jardin de Fiestas” in the Mexico pavilion was an “Elderflower-Cucumber Margarita”. Honestly, my group liked this cucumber treat more than the beer, while I prefermy pints! I found the elderberry to make it really sweet, which is what they liked, while also clearly highlighting a tequila flavor burn. I didn’t find as much cucumber as I wanted. So while it was nice, it was a sweet cocktail without a large vegetable presence.


Who Drinks This? “Spa Goggles” is for Gose fans who want to try some variety. I would also argue that for those wanting to drink around styles and sample, this is a nice and pleasant beer. For the Margarita, fans of sweet cocktails will want to grab one of these. I would just note that the marg is more expensive than the beer. And “Spa Goggles” is for the cucumber fan, and the Elderflower-Cucumber Margarita” is for the tequila or sweet fan.

Beer Review - Pollinators Paradise Lager

"Pollinators Paradise Lager"

What to drink what to drink, what to drink?

This was my question for the 2024 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Nothing in the booklet was screaming to me! There’s not a dark beer to be found! And as adventurous as I am, I did not want a flower-forward brew.

So I went with bees. You can spell beer without bee right? Plus, bees are essential to gardens and it seemed fitting. So I buzzed right over to the Refreshment Outpost in the World Showcase and grabbed Crooked Can’s “Pollinators Paradise Lager.” This honey of a beer is a no IBU, 5% ABV, lager beer. It’s a Crooked Can production, which means that the beer is professionally made and is to style. With a name like pollinator, honey is an adjunct in the brew. The golden yellow color also reminds one of honey itself.  In the end, this is a sweet, but not overly sweet lager. It went down easy and was a sweet beer that tastes like sweeter beer.

"Pollinators Paradise Lager" Paired with Banana Fosters Bread Pudding

But here is the real winner, it pairs really well with the Banana Fosters Bread Pudding and its delightful rum-caramel sauce from Magnolia Terrace in The America Adventure. It’s a nice sweet combo that won’t sting you.

Who Drinks This? If you enjoy lagers or pilsners, this is a beer that will mix up your pallet a little bit. You’ll also feel fancy as you sip through an Epcot Festival. It’s well made, local, and has a refreshing buzz that you can tell the rest of the hive about.

Beer Review - Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale

 

"Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale"

As my buddy says, everyone has a 3.25 rated Red Ale! I guess that rule applies even to seals!

Recently, my family decided it was time to head out and visit my favorite Walt Disney World attraction. Let’s go to BaseLine Tap House! Honestly, there must have been a lot of built-up tension as there were a lot of families wandering Disney’s Hollywood Studios, taking in attractions and just moving outside of their homes. BaseLine was front row seats for people watching, turning ourselves out to watch families meet Donald and Daisy and enjoy themselves outside in a post-hurricane surrounding.

We grabbed a pretzel because, it’s the law. There was a discussion about how two beer cheese cups would be superior to a beer cheese and mustard, though I enjoyed the tangy spice and let my companion finish the warm liquid cheesy gold. And I grabbed the tall boy pint, or as I view it the best deal at Walt Disney World. Today’s pint reminded me of a trip we took years ago to the California coast, which included chasing dolphins and seals!

 

Are These North Coast's Brewers?

“Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale” is a 5.4% ABV and 42 IBU Red Ale. I found the sips to be nicely balanced and refreshing, with the added hops giving it a spicer wheat bread flavor. The copper color was one that made me feel the vibes of early fall. With 20 more IBU’s than “Gamorrean Ale”, it packed more flavor than its Star Wars cousin a land away.

“Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale” is brewed by California's North Coast Brewing Company. It is a beer that is renowned for the balance of hop and malt flavors. It has in fact won numerous medals at industry events like the World Beer Championships and the Great American Beer Festival. And while I wouldn’t suggest chasing this brew as an unicorn, it was refreshing, tasty, and now likely part of my regular BaseLine rotation!

North Coast Brewing Company of Fort Bragg, California was founded in 1988, so while not European old, it is at least a medium entry in American craft brewing. And while I’ve had this pint at Midwest haunts, they do distribute to most U.S. markets. I have had their “Old Rasputin” Russian Imperial Stout in non-Central Florida markets, and that is the beer I bestt know this brewery for. I do see this beer as a solid choice when more niche Imperial Stouts are not on hand. North Coast is well-known for philanthropy and sustainability, being a TRUE Platinum Zero Waste Certified operation.

Who Drinks This? If you like Red Ales and have to choose between “Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale” and “Gamorrean Ale” I would take the seal! I see this brew as a 3.5 not 3.25! BaseLine fans who want a balanced, pleasant sip that showcases hops and malts should also grab the biggest pint on tap, really it’s the only size they have (I promise they don’t have two sizes of fills, just say the big one kind tender). I may look to the seasonal pints first, but if that does not tickle my fancy for savoring a brew while watching the crowds, this Red is not one I would turn my seal-like nose from.