REVIEW: Hops and Barley – 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Who doesn’t love Lobster Rolls, Brisket and Carrot Cake?  The Hops and Barley marketplace always seems to do them really well, in fact the Lobster Roll and Carrot Cake were on my list of Top 10 Snacks from the Food and Wien Festival last year.  Can that be topped again this year??  

Let’s see in my Hops and Barley Review for the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival….

Hops and Barley Marketplace:

Do you feel like you’re in New England again?  This booth has that style down pat.  But can someone please tell me why this isn’t called the: “American” Marketplace?  Way to confuse everyone Disney…?

One of the few marketplaces in World Showcase with lots of table space.  Grab a picnic table and let’s eat!

Hops and Barley Menu:

The Hops and Barley menu is basically the same from last year. All three big items (New England Lobster Roll, New Brunswick Slider and Carrot Cake) are back again this year and we’re excited as always. The Lobster Roll and Carrot Cake have been staples here for years, where as this is only the second year for the New Brunswick Slider.

It is slow-braised Beef Brisket “Pot Roast Style” with Horseradish Cream and Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables.  One brisket dish for another, which is fine by us since we love brisket!! ?

Food:

• New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll ($8.25)
• New Brunswick Slider: Slow-braised Beef Brisket “Pot Roast Style” with Horseradish Cream and Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables on the side ($6.00)
• Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing (V) (KA) ($4.25)

Beverages:

• North Coast Bewing Co. Blue Star Wheat, Fort Bragg, CA ($4.50)
• 3 Daughters Brewing A Wake Coffee Blonde Ale, St. Petersburg, FL ($4.50)
• Heavy Seas AmeriCannon APA, Baltimore, MD ($4.50)
• Angry Orchard Rosé Hard Cider, Walden, NY ($4.50)
• Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands ($6.00)
• Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($5.00)
• Beer Flight also available ($9.75)

Menu Review:

New England Lobster Roll ($8.25):

The Lobster Roll is one of our all-time favorites, and they pack a lot of lobster in this baby!!  Some places you go give you tons of filler, but this was practically all lobster in there!  I feel like last year it was a little more full, but still a decent amount nonetheless.

There is a very light seasoned mayo and butter mix that dresses the lobster, and some Fresh Herb Mayonnaise on top of that.  We thought it was just the right amount, not overpowering the lobster taste.  

$8.25 is a lot to spend on one item at Food and Wine, but imo they give you an excellent amount of lobster for the money!

New Brunswick Slider ($6.00):

This year’s brisket dish comes in the form of a slider.  The New Brunswick Slider has Slow-braised Beef Brisket that is similar to a pot roast with Horseradish Cream and Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables.  

The brisket itself was really good, very tender and it fell apart.  I’m not a fan of horseradish, so I could have done without the cream, but it didn’t over power the rest of it.  I couldn’t really taste the crispy fried onions, I like the idea but they need to be a bit bigger.  

Overall I liked the Slider, but imo it was a bit small for the amount of food they give you.  It’s worth giving a try once though if you are a brisket fan or in the mood…

Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing ($4.25):

Yes, the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is BACK!  This thing is insanely good and shouldn’t be shared with anyone!  I’m kidding about that (kind of), but it’s just so good you’re probably going to want to order more than one if you’re with a group of people.  The carrot cake is also Vegan, so all natural organic stuff in here.

The carrot cake is super moist and has a great consistency, but the star is that cream cheese icing!  Don’t they sell this somewhere that I can just drink??  

Kidding aside it’s life-changing and you have to try it if you haven’t already!!

Heavy Seas AmeriCannon IPA, Baltimore, MD ($4.50)

The Heavy Seas AmeriCannon APA is a really solid beer.  Good American style IPA, and similar to Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, but not as citrusy.  Good choice if you are a IPA fan.

Angry Orchard Rosé Hard Cider ($4.50):

The Rosé Hard Cider is just what you’d expect, light and refreshing like a rosé wine. That isn’t a bad thing though and we really loved it and would get it again.

Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon ($5.00):

Great match for the Brisket Slider.  Full body and dry, but not too much.  Good choice as well.

Booth Summary and Grade:

Hops and Barley once again was incredible.  We loved the Lobster Roll and Carrot Cake as usual, and applaud the creativity of the Brisket Slider, though we would still like to see it bigger next time.  The drinks are good with beer, wine and cider options to choose from.

Don’t miss Hops and Barley it’s right near the top of the list of best Food and Wine marketplaces.

If you have to get just one thing:

Lobster Roll

Hops and Barley Review

Overall

8.5/10

8.5/10

• Overall Grade - 8.5/10
  8.5/10

I want you to be able to have the best info on the Festival so you have a great time and don’t waste your time!  Take a look at all of my 2019 Epcot Food and Wine articles including:

• 2023 EPCOT Food and Wine Info Guide
• Complete List of Food and Wine Menus
• Top 10 Best and Worst Snacks at Food and Wine 2023
• Top Food and Wine Booths (Coming Soon)

Your Thoughts:

I want to know what you think about the Hops and Barley Review at the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival…

• Which is your favorite item?
• Which do you still want to try?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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