A horse is a horse; unless you can’t BYOB
Officials at Pimlico Race Course are concerned that a ban on fans bringing their own beer into the infield for this weekend’s Preakness will hurt the race’s attendance figures. TTB touched on this issue when the ban was issued. I might be inclined to say this is a cash grab attempt — getting the fans to pay for overpriced beer at the track — and that complaints that people were getting out of control beforehand are unfounded. But perhaps sprinting across the tops of a row of port-a-potties while people fling cans of Natty Light at you is getting a little out of hand.
Beer links
Here’s some news making the rounds in the beer world:
-Miami’s Dolphin Stadium will be renamed after Land Shark Lager beer.
-In the continuing saga of the man who tried to sell his daughter for meat and beer, the man was sentenced Thursday to spend a year in the county jail.
-Beer consumption in Russia dropped in the first quarter, according to a report, the first time that’s happened in more than a decade.
-A New Orleans brewery is helping the mayor of Fargo, N.D., make good on a promise to buy everyone in the city a free beer.
-Meanwhile, in less-than-positive Louisiana beer news, a Scout leader is accused of providing beer to teens for a drinking game. You know the old Boy Scouts motto: “Free beer for everyone.” What? That only applies in Fargo, N.D.? My bad.
Beer at Disney World
The Thirsty Beagle just returned from a lovely vacation at Disney World in Florida. Sorry about the lack of posts over the past couple weeks, but hey, even a tireless Beagle needs a break, right? Anyway, much beer 
was had; unfortunately, only some of it was truly enjoyed. TTB loves Disney World, but found himself slightly concerned about the state of beer at the hotel and at the parks. At the hotel bar at Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example, there was the usual selection of gas station beer in bottles, a couple African-themed beers — Casa Beer and Tusker — and then a few so-so selections on tap, including seasonal Sam Adams (White Ale) and something Disney called Safari Amber. Casa Beer wasn’t bad. It’s regarded as the official beer of Morocco. If you’re at Disney’s AKL, it’s one of your better options. Tusker, on the other hand, is one you should not waste your time on. The Kenyan beer had no life — a really bland pilsner style that didn’t do anything for me at any time. Then there’s the case of Safari Amber. It was only available on tap, so I can’t offer any pictures. It wasn’t a bad beer, and compared to all the watery Bud products offered, it was a decent selection. But I’m pretty sure Disney is trying to pull a fast one with the Safari Amber. TTB had dinner one night at the Coral Reef restaurant at Epcot, and noticed a Reef Amber on the drink menu. Intrigued, I ordered. Much to my dismay, Reef Amber’s color looked awfully similar to that of Safari Amber. Then it smelled about the same. Then i
t tasted about the same. I can’t be sure that it was the exact same beer, but it sure seems like Disney is simply offering one microbrew throughout its parks and hotels and just changing the name to reflect where it’s being served. I know firsthand Disney has the resources (read: money) to throw out a couple different brews. After all, I had more than one $8 cup of beer while I was there.
Speaking of Epcot, TTB attempted a fun drinking game during the visit. Depending on who you ask, it’s either called Drinking Around the World, or Journey Into Intoxication. I think the latter is a lot funnier. The game involves getting a beer at each of the 11 countries at the park’s World Showcase. You may notice I said I “attempted” it. Didn’t get to finish because of some extenuating circumstances cutting our trip around the world short by a few countries. But I can report I had a Dos Equis in Mexico, a Carlsberg in Norway (even though the beer’s from Denmark; I guess Norwegians don’t do beer), a Spaten Oktoberfest in Germany, Tsingtao in China and Peroni in Italy. I’m giving myself credit for the American and Moroccan beers I had at the hotel, so that only left me four countries short. Other offerings include Guinness and Bass in England, Kronenburg in France, Sapporo in Japan and assorted Molson products and Moosehead in Canada. TTB avows he will get the deal done next time!
