Since I know I’ve searched Universal many times, I figured I’d post a specific thread after a short visit this weekend. I will basically post about what I found unique. Yuengling and Blue Moon are all over both parks. I did not search every inch of the place to be sure. Universal Studios - In Springfield, the Duff brewery offers three beers (I believe all by Florida Beer Co). I only had the regular Duff. It was fine. In Harry Potter World, you will find two unique beers. There is Wizard’s Brew (a very solid sweet leaning stout) and Dragon’s Scale (a mildly hoppy red). There’s a beer cart in NY area across from Starbucks and Louie’s. They have 4 locals including Jai Alai and Orange Blossom Pilsner. Islands of Adventure - Hogs Head in Harry Potter had the two previously mentioned beers plus a 3rd which was malty offering in the Scottish Ale style (Hog’s Head Brew). To be honest, I didn’t see much else in Islands. City Walk - Again, here you will find Yuengling and Blue Moon at walk up carts like it is growing in trees. I found the selection at NBC Grill to be vast and certainly worth a look. Clearly the largest selection was here with probably upwards of a hundred cans, bottles and drafts. In general, there was nothing hear that knocked my socks off though. The Cow Fish had a nice, but small selection of craft including about six drafts. Each of these two places had Two Hearted which was probably the best beer at each. Stayed at Portofino Bay and I’d say each venue there (pool, bars, restaurants) had one pretty good craft selection (including Jai Alai and Funky Buddha Hop Gun). I posted in the what to do in Orlando thread but I will just repeat here that Ellipsis Brewing bear the airport was very easy to make a diversion to and totally worth it. Lots on tap and better beer than anything I drank at Universal. I grabbed a couple crowlers to enjoy at the hotel. In summary, it’s not a total wasteland.
The spirit of Harry Potter should liven the environs. Hopefully someone near-abouts would offer some reasonable milds and possibly a porter. When my kids were young they wanted to go to The Outer Banks, Sunset Beach, or Emerald Isle. They had no desire to go to an expensive major attraction. I gave then the choice and they always just wanted the ocean and not tons of people.
Hopefully this information can get folded into a regularly updated Orlando thread (similar to the Tampa/St Pete one).
