Disneyland’s Butterbeer Knockoff: A Taste Comparison with Universal’s Original

Disneyland’s Red Rose Taverne has introduced a limited-time drink, the Gaston Brew, which bears a striking resemblance to Universal’s iconic Butterbeer. The $7.99 beverage, available during the 70 Years of Favorites after-hours events, is described as a butterscotch drink with a dulce de leche foam topper. Surprisingly, the Gaston Brew tastes almost identical to the original Butterbeer sold at Universal theme parks worldwide.

The main difference between the two drinks lies in their presentation. While Universal’s Butterbeer is served in a cup without ice, Disneyland’s Gaston Brew is served over ice, which takes up a significant portion of the glass. This results in a considerable amount of the whipped topping being wasted as it coats the ice at the bottom of the empty glass. However, the restaurant’s staff is willing to make the Gaston Brew without ice, offering the same amount of fluid ounces as the iced drink.

A Brief History of Butterbeer

Universal’s Butterbeer was first introduced in the 2004 film “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and has since become a beloved drink among fans. The beverage is designed to have flavors reminiscent of butterscotch and shortbread, topped with a whipped foam. Butterbeer is available at Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed lands in Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Beijing.

Butterbeer Season and Sales

The Universal parks in California, Florida, and China are currently hosting Butterbeer Season events, with Universal Studios Japan set to join on April 1. According to the Botrista beverage technology company, Butterbeer sales have been extremely successful, with over 20 million drinks sold at Universal Orlando in 2018, generating approximately $139.8 million in revenue.

Disneyland’s Gaston Brew is only available for a limited time, specifically during the 70th Anniversary Disneyland After Dark event on March 3 and 5. If you’re interested in trying the drink, you’ll have to act fast, as there’s only one more chance to taste it on Thursday, March 5.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Disneyland’s Gaston Brew is a remarkable knockoff of Universal’s original Butterbeer, with a similar taste and flavor profile. While the presentation may differ, the drink itself is a must-try for any Harry Potter fan. With the limited-time availability of the Gaston Brew, be sure to grab a glass before it’s gone.