So on Thursday I will be heading down to Orlando for a Disney family vacation. We will be renting a house outside of the theme parks. That being said, is there anything interesting that is available in package stores that I will not find in CT? I am assuming that Cigar City is readily available, is that accurate? If yes, what is out in the market (i.e., Jai Alai, Murado, etc.)? Any other brands to watch out for? Before someone says this, I did do a search of the site and most of the results related to good bars in the area or making actual trips to Cigar City, neither of which I will have time for.
I had a similar question..... I can't believe it hasn't been asked more often. This thread was the only one that search brought up. I'm hoping Jai Alai is easy to find. I noticed on a distribution chart that Florida gets Bell's, New England Brewing Co. & The Bruery, among others that we don't get in Texas. Are any of these widely available? Other recommendations? pjs, how was the trip?
It has been asked often, I don't know why it is not showing up in your searches. Package stores with any sort of decent selection in that area are hard to come by. If you can make a trip to Knightly Spirits on Orange Blossom Trail about 15 minutes from Disney World (according to google) then you should be able to pick up some Cigar City beers. Bell's and The Bruery should be available. NEBCo from what I understand was a one time shipment. I would be shocked if you saw anything from them.
If there is a Whole Foods close to where you will be staying. They usually have a really good selection of CCB flavors. In some cases stuff that does not get to other bottle shops.
Last time we were at Disney, we hit up Lagniappe/Effinheimer Brewing Company in Minneola. The beer was decent, and the staff was great, even gracious enough to give my father and I a private tour of the brewhouse. The had bottles for sale as well, and the bartender directed us to a few local bottle shops...can't remember the names off the top of my head though..
Thanks for the replies. No time for visiting breweries, unfortunately... There may be a stop or two on the way from the airport to Disney, so I'll have to see what I can get on the way there. Any places to go at Epcot or Downtown Disney with a good selection?
The German restaurant in Epcot has some decent German options. I want to say it was Paulaner beers. The Canadian restaurant has Unibroue beers and is the best restaurant in Epcot, IMO. Problem is, if you do not already have reservations you can pretty much forget about getting in there unless things have changed recently. Some of the other countries might have an option or two but were the 2 real options when I was there. I do not recall anywhere in Downtown Disney that had decent beer, but I did not go everywhere there.
Everyone says you need reservations. We were down a two years ago and wanted to eat at one of the nicer places "you need" reservations for. We asked the hostess if we could get a table, she said sure follow me, if you wont be eating for a hour and half. People cancel and I think they may hold a few tables here and there for walk-ups. If a table is empty and the next reservations isn't for 30 minutes, they'll get you in and maybe bump the reservation 5 minutes or something. Ask if that is a scenario to the hostess, tell them you can eat quick.
While true at most of the places that "need reservations" in the parks, that does not tend to happen for Canada. It is certainly not impossible there, but more unlikely especially if you are there during an incredibly busy time like this weekend. It usually fills up the day that reservations can be made (which is something like 6 months in advance of the date).
There is the Big River Brewing Company over in the Disney Boardwalk area. It's a pedestrian restaurant & shop area that is much smaller than Downtown Disney, but it has the only brewpub in Disney.
Just got back from the trip today. I was lucky to find a package store next to a Publix on Rt 532 that sold some Bells and some CCB (Jai Alai, Maduro, and Tocobaga), so that worked out well. As for beers in the parks, we were not able to get into any of the decent resturants in Epcot so I was stuck with Yuengling (which is not a bad thing). What was a suprise, was the bottle list at the Irish pub in Downtown Disney. They had Bell's Two Hearted, Store Arrogant Bastard, CCB (Jai Alai and Maduro), and a few others that I can't recall. Aside from the beer, it was a hot, humid week with way too much time spent in amusement parks. Either way, thanks to all for the replies.
I know this is an older thread but I wanted to add a few decent things I found last week in the park. Victoria and Alberts (Grand Floridian): Chimay, Dogfish Head 60 min, Terrapin Hopsecutioner and a Unibroue (I think Trois Pistoles, which they called a "Trappist ale". Ohana (Polynesian): Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, Kona Koko Brown. The bar at the Polynesian also has these. I have heard that the bar at the Swan resort also has a decent selection, but can't confirm.
