Drink around the World
- Kris
- Apr 14, 2018
- 6 min read
I've been to Disney World a number of times in my life, and my favorite park by far has been EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow that shares my love of looking to our future and celebrating the cultures that make our Earth diverse and beautiful. I treasure my memories of EPCOT and the romance of stepping from country to country (more on that later).
But I've never been to EPCOT as an adult over 21. Click back kids - this one's about adult drinking. Day drinking. Beer drinking.
I want to preface this post by saying Chris and I are self-aware individuals, and we drink smart. That is, we will be the last people you'll see stumbling drunk around Disney World. For one, I like to remember experiences, and two drinking is a lot more fun when the edge is off, not when your bff needs to hold your hair for you.
If you are not aware, "drinking around the world" is a challenge of sorts where you have each a drink in each country of EPCOT's World Showcase. There are 11 countries, resulting in 11 beers, or 11 cocktails if you so choose to take that route. As you can imagine, it can get out of hand quickly, which is why Chris and I made this event an all day affair and alternated most countries. Where I skipped a country, I at least sipped the drink to try it and vice versa.
Our trip was during the 2018 Flower and Garden Festival, so some of the places we stopped at are considered Outdoor Kitchens which may not be there at all times of the year. While there are plenty of resources online for what beverages to get where if interested in the challenge, I highly encourage you to make this event your own. Chris and I had a lot of fun deciding which drinks to order, and even asking the employees their recommendations.
Mexico
To kick off the challenge, we started in Mexico and decided it was only right for us both to drink at this first location.
Of the locations, both of us agree that Mexico was poorly represented in our pictures below. We were too busy being silly. But the Mexico Pavilion is one of the coolest places in EPCOT. The inside houses a number of restaurants and vendors. It is full of color and life, and is a must see!
Restaurant/Quick Service: La Cava del Tequila
Beer: Dos Equis Lager
Drink Count: Kris -1, Chris -1
Norway
The architecture of Norway is an immediate shift from the color of Mexico, all dark rustic. Norway has never been a stand-out on my list, but much of the recent appeal is due to the movie Frozen. I still feel that this country is great for kids and has a lot to offer in terms of food and drink.
Restaurant/Quick Service: Norway Beer Stand Kiosk
Beer: Aass Pilsner
Drink Count: Kris -1, Chris -2
(The beer is pronounced Ouse, not ass)
China
The next country was China. We took a lot of pictures of the buildings and grounds because you just can't not. It's so pretty. Especially coming from Norway, China is like walking into a world where the saturation is turned up. Colors stand out against white structures, and the buildings are ever welcoming.
Restaurant/Quick Service: Joy of Tea
Beer: Tsing Tao Beer
Drink Count: Kris -2, Chris -2
Germany
Ah, Germany. The land I've recently learned is my mother land, despite that I believed myself to be Irish all this time. At least now the beer and the brats make sense, and I never did like shepherd's pie anyway.
When we entered Germany, our ears were immediately welcomed by a band singing in German about Sauerkraut.
Here is where the smaller oz. servings started, and so... because Germany and because beer, we both drank, and we both doubled up.
Stop 1
Restaurant/Quick Service: Outdoor Kitchen - Bauernmarkt
Beer 1: Paulaner Original Munich Lager, 4.5 oz. - Kris' Choice
Beer 2: Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager 4.5 oz. - Chris' Choice
Drink Count: Kris -2.5, Chris -2.5
Stop 2
Restaurant/Quick Service: Trinken Beer Cart
Beer 1: Altenmünster Oktoberfest - Kris' Choice
Beer 2: Schöfferhoffer Grapefruit - Chris' Choice
Drink Count: Kris -3.5, Chris -3.5
We ended up switching our drinks at stop 2, because I loved the taste of the Schöfferhoffer, despite hating grapefruit. All I can say is give it a chance, because I was pleasantly surprised.
Italy
Our reservation for lunch in Italy was at 1:45, and I had debated previously about which restaurant to choose. I ended up with Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria because people raved about their pizza. We ordered an individual pizza to split as well as our separate entrees.
Instead of individual beers, Chris and I got a flight each. I am estimating these sample as a half beer and totaling 1.5 drinks.
Okay, so remember when I said walking from country to country was romantic? Well the part I've been dying to write is that this day was more than our drink around the world day. This is the day that WE GOT ENGAGED! After we finished our meals, Chris asked me the question.
And in the place that's as close to Italy as we can get without going to actual Italy. It was quite special for us both.
Restaurant/Quick Service: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Beer: Flight, including Moretti lager, Moretti la rossa, seasonal selection
Drink Count: Kris -5, Chris -5
The America Adventure
Considering this is our home turf, we skipped this area. But the bathroom is solid.
Japan
In Japan, we met up with my family to celebrate the happy news! We met up with my mom, dad, and brother for celebratory sake, which we've never tried and has been on my list a long time. We asked the cashiers which type of sake we should get because there was a couple different types on the menu.
Also in Japan, I finally was able to do the awesome pick-a-pearl experience. Basically, you select an oyster and inside is a unique pearl all your own. They will tell you the color and size of your pearl, and you can choose to set it inside a piece of jewelry. Chris picked out my oyster, and I picked out the necklace to go with it. I also learned how to count backwards from three in Japanese, so hey, education.
We also ended up back in Japan for dinner, this time quick service. At the outdoor kitchen I ordered Ginger Beef Yaki Udon with Soy and Ginger, and Chris ordered Teriyaki Salmon with Furikake Seasoned Brown Rice. I even ate with chopsticks!
Restaurant/Quick Service: Kabuki Cafe
Nigori Unfiltered Sake
Drink Count: Kris -6, Chris -6
Morocco
Morocco has the coolest tiling, and the neatest corners. While we didn't spend a lot of time in Morocco, we enjoyed the visual it provided walking through.
It was a good place to drink a beer. Look how pretty this wall is!
Restaurant/Quick Service: Taste of Marrakesh
Beer: Casa Beer
Drink Count: Kris -7, Chris -6
France
By this point in our journey we were approaching the end of the day and wanted to make sure we could say we finished the challenge. So our focus was where the beer could be found! That said, if food is your thing, France is a must-see.
Restaurant/Quick Service: Crepes des Chefs de France
Beer: Kronenbourg 1664
Drink Count: Kris -7, Chris -7
United Kingdom
The UK is the second place where our drink was something we'd already had previously. In the UK, you can find Harp Lager, which is a light colored beer made by Guinness. It's one of my go-to's if I am in an Irish pub because I don't like stout and Smithwick's I only drink occasionally because of it's strong flavor.
We tried to get our Harp from the Rose and Crown pub, but the place was crowded, and event the line at the bar seemed not to be moving. The quick service next door would do just fine:
Restaurant/Quick Service: Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Beer: Harp Lager
Drink Count: Kris -8, Chris 7
Canada
Finally, we made all the way around the world showcase to Canada. We too quickly had to meet my family for IllumiNations after this, so Canada is another country we didn't linger in to experience.
Next time, I think it would be fun to drink around the world in the opposite direction and see how the experience is different!
Restaurant/Quick Service: Northern Bloom
Beer: Unibroue Éphémère White Ale, Chambly, Québec
Drink Count: Kris -8, Chris 8
So there it is! 8 drinks each, 1 pearl necklace, and 1 engagement ring later, we'd made it all the way around the World Showcase and had one drink (or more) in each.
Some honorable mention drinks: The beers at the Dawa Bar in Animal Kingdom, the Mai Tai I had at the Rainforest Cafe, the wine we had at dinner at the hotel, and Yuenglings 1, 2, 3, and 4 (from various places).
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