March Madness - The BEER - EPCOT's Germany

[Beccaberry]

It's no secret that I enjoy vodka. A lot. But what you may *not* know is that as much as I enjoy vodka, Jon enjoys beer. While we were in Disney for the Food & Wine Festival in October, he was chuffed to find that Germany in EPCOT served one of his favorite beers - The Optimator. (Yes, that is its real name...I'm not word playing on a bad Schwarzenegger movie. But don't expect to read it again, because Johnie and I were FOREVER forgetting the name of it and...well...improvising. )

...back to our story...

About halfway through our Food & Wine trip, much to Jon's dismay and discontentment, Germany *switched* their brew from the Instigator to Oktoberfest. Now while the Oktoberfest is indeed drinkable (as we learned) it was *NOT* his beloved Obliterator. Apparently Jon likes to "chew" his beer. Fair enough, he didn't whine too much and made do with the Oktoberfest. Nevertheless, the possibility that perhaps the Interrogator had returned for our upcoming trip played heavy on the hopes and dreams of my sweet Jon.

...I must interject quickly here...our March trip was premised on my spring break vacation, but we were also there to celebrate Jon's recent birthday. Johnie made sure he received his birthday button, which he wore only after much kicking, screaming, moaning and groaning and then acquiesced ONLY because we couldn't wear *our* "I'm celebrating!" button if he didn't wear *his* "It's my birthday" button. (Why we'd look ridiculous!). Well, that, and the fact that I threatened to room with Johnie if he didn't comply

Moving on...

Twas our first day at EPCOT, and all through the park
Not a creature was stirring, nay even a lark.
The corn was pop popping, its smell in the air
In hopes that the tourists soon would be there.

Jon couldn't wait, he sprang out of bed,
As visions of Liberators danced in his head.
While Johnie and I laughed, and took our sweet time,
He ran on ahead to be the first person in line...

And he was. Only to come back moments later...brokenhearted. Yes my friends, the Oktoberfest was still on tap.



You'll notice his disappointment did not prevent him from either buying NOR drinking said inferior Oktoberfest beer.

It is at this moment, that Johnie seals her place as "Becca's best and most valued friend" in Jon's mind forevermore. She suggests to him that there is another beer kiosk just inside the covered area that might sell the Evaluator, and that it certainly couldn't hurt to try it. So off we go...only to find that they too, sell only the Oktoberfest (however, it is important to point out here that the beer at *this* kiosk is fifty cents cheaper than the one a mere fifty feet away..$7.50 vs $8...Jon adeptly points out that at that monumental savings, it's like getting every 16th beer FREE!). Still a bit disappointed, Jon agrees to stay in line and placate his sadness with another Oktoberfest.

And then a miracle occurs.

As Jon reaches the front of the line, Leopold (the friendly CM) wishes him a very happy birthday (THE BUTTON!!) and asks him if he's having a good day. Jon answers that it would be better if they still had the Terminator on tap.

I am not at liberty to divulge what happened next, but moments later *this* is our happy scene.





Yes folks, that's right, you are INDEED looking at the one, the only...the Inebriator. *Two* of them, in fact. (Well, he *does* have two hands)



Have you ever *seen* such a happy face? He's not moaning about that button *now* is he?



Jon and his hero



Covert picture of Leopold. I didn't want to draw *too* much attention to him

Jon declared it his best day ever.

Just wait until tomorrow when he discovers what lays beyond this door...

[foreverducky]

That's fantastic!! Johnie, you are a super hero and saved the day!

[Isafari]

Brilliant report and photos

[uscwest]

Interesting that they sold the Optimator. That is one of THE strongest beers sold in Germany.

[mumof2]

that's so funny Becca ~ what a fabulous report!

[Dawn]

Let's see how many new names we can come up with for the Estimator.

[mumof2]

the equilibrator.....

[Johnie]

I personally like the Instigator

My motto is Just Ask! The worst they can say is no.

[Beccaberry]

The Evacuator.

John, Jon said the same thing. He was two and out with the Invigorator. And even at two, he was...happy

The FUNNIEST bit however was a few moments later as we were *leaving* Germany (poor mite was down to only one beer left) and milling about the kiosk out by the lagoon. A bloke walked by and took one look at Jon's beer and said, "Wow. Where'd you get *that* one?" Talk about a classic "deer in the headlights" look. Jon just grunted and pointed in a general direction and ran off. Johnie and I laughed about that the rest of the day

[minnie-me]

Must have made his day getting the beer he wanted!!! A great report x