Review: Ireland 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

We continue from Appleseed Orchard.

Ireland returns across from the United Kingdom Pavilion and to the left of Rose & Crown.

Only the Killanny Red Ale is new, replacing last year’s Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy – $5.50

My original review rated these poorly, comparing them to standard Jimmy Dean breakfast sausages. After hearing some more positive reviews, I returned to the dish, and I’m happy to say that I was impressed by what I found. The Sausages are tender, packed tight full of ground pork and a spice blend that includes sage and allspice. Each bite ends up being particularly comforting in cooler weather with the creamy Colcannon Potatoes, mixed with cabbage and bacon, helping to mop up any of the delicious excess gravy. With three sizable sausages on top of a sizable bed of potatoes, it ends up being a considerable amount of food for the money. I’d give them a try at this price point.

Taste: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread – $5

Opinions on this one ran the gamut from “hands thrown up in the air terrible” to “wow this is really good.” The dip has more of a gritty fondue texture than you might be expecting to go along with a rich cheesy taste. I liked it a lot with the fresh soda bread – firm, but crumbly with a sweet aftertaste and a hearty character. The three thick pieces of bread that arrive alongside it are an improvement over the two thin slices that the dish used to be served with, but you’ll still want to dip deep from the first bite or grab some spoons. When you pick up the plate, you might also ask for an extra piece or two. They should be happy to provide it – probably less so if you randomly show up later with your hands out.

Taste: 8/10

Value: 5/10

Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $4.25

I like this one a lot. It’s a relatively simple dessert executed well with the rich, warm, brownie-like cake base topped with the sweet, decadent custard. Even if you’re not planning on ordering one, the smell of freshly baked chocolate cake is going to get you in line; budget the four bucks plus change to pick one up because it’s going to be on your list.

Taste: 9/10

Value: 7/10

Brehon Brewhouse Killanny Red Ale – $4.50

It’s nice to see Disney again move away from the usual Guinness, George Killian’s, etc. in favor of something more obscure. Brehon Brewhouse is found on a small farm in County Monaghan, Ireland. The beer is sweet and nutty up front with toasty caramel malts and a dry finish. It’s definitely worth trying.

Bunratty Meade Honey Wine – $6

Bunratty Meade Honey Wine is a very sweet wine that tastes strongly of honey and very little of alcohol, despite having an ABV of 14.7%. It should be available in stores for around $18/bottle. Purists would tell you that it’s not a traditional mead, which would be fermented honey wine. This is a white wine with honey and spices added to it. Assuming you start drinking around the World in Mexico (and for most, even in Canada), you won’t care. It will probably be a lot thicker than you’re expecting.

Guinness Baileys Shake – $11

The overwhelming flavors are chocolate and Baileys – there’s virtually no Guinness presence whatsoever. While the menu calls this a “Shake,” the mouthfeel is closer to a thin chocolate milk. I’m honestly not sure where I come down on it – it doesn’t really deliver based on the title, but it’s still cold, delicious, and refreshing. So I just don’t know. It might be more like an above average, boozy chocolate milk. It’s better when it’s a little thicker, which it should be on less popular days.

Taste: 5/10

Value: ?

Overall, Ireland is solid this year, though I still miss my Fisherman’s Pie. Maybe it will return someday.

France is up next.