Via Napoli Beer Lunches During Food and Wine Festival 2014

July 31st, 2014 by in Walt Disney World Beer Reviews

IMG_6807For the past few years during Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Via Napoli has put on delicious lunches pairing Italian craft beer with Italian food cooked up specially for these lunches. Each Tuesday from September 23 – November 4, Via Napoli will be hosting a lunch and Eric Banduski, Certified Cicerone for the Italy pavilion, will be hosting all but one of the lunches.

The menus are near-final and subject to a bit of change; some beers are being served for the first time, while others are returning favorites.

The first course is an appetizer and depending on the day could be Buffalo Mozzarella and Artichoke Bites, Eggplant and Goat Cheese Bites, Mixed Vegetable Stew, Grilled Octopus with Potatoes, or other choices.

Pizza is featured in the second course. A Roman Style Pizza with Prosciutto, Deep Fried Pizza, Margherita Pizza, or another style of pizza will be served.

The entrée is the third course. Pork Rib, Veal Cutlet with Chicory and Olives, Hunter Style Chicken, or Beef Chops will be served on different dates.

Finally, dessert! A Vanilla Gelato Cup with Amarena Cherries, Chocolate Puff Pastry, Mixed Berries Custard, or Sweet Ricotta and Candied Fruit may be served depending on the date.

I can hear you all now: “That sounds good, but what about the beer?”

25 Dodici close-upEach course is paired with a beer. Some of the highlights include Birra Amarcord Bionda, Bruna, and Mora. These three, as far as I know, have never been served at Disney World before. Additionally, Birra del Borgo Caos (the beer/wine hybrid that is one of my personal favorites) and 25 Dodici (another delicious beer) will be served.

The closest you’ll get to fabled Belgian brewery Cantillon will be on October 21, 2014 when Birra del Borgo Duchessic will be served. Duchessic is a saison blended with Cantillon lambic. I haven’t had this, but it sounds delicious.

IMG_6727Additional beers include the popular Birra Amiata Contessa, Birrificio del Ducato Via Emilia, Birra L’Olmaia La Nove, Birrificio Grado Plato Strada San Felice, and Birra Moretti La Rossa.

Via Napoli is teasing a special guest on October 7 from Italy! Also, the November 4 lunch is a partnership between Birra Amarcord and Brooklyn Brewery. It’s a bit of a test to see if people enjoy American beer with Italian food. The entrée and dessert courses will include Brooklyn beer: Sorachi Ace and Black Chocolate Stout respectively.

If you’re looking for a good meal with good beer while you’re enjoying the Food and Wine Festival, be sure to make a reservation for one of the Via Napoli beer lunches!

As a final note, Birrificio Italiano VuDu is expected to be on tap at Via Napoli during the Food and Wine Festival. This is usually in limited supply and popular, so even if you’re not going to the beer lunch, it might be worth stopping in for a taste of VuDu.


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