Did Disney Just Release a Butterbeer Dupe?

Of all the things that Harry Potter has given the culinary world, butterbeer is probably the greatest example of an item that people actually want. Every Flavor Beans? Too risky. Chocolate frogs? A bit meh. But butterbeer? Creamy, caramel-y, delicious, yum, love it, want ten of them, please. It’s no wonder, then, that virtually everyone’s got on the butterbeer hype in recent years, from Hershey’s releasing Butterbeer Kisses to Goldfish putting out Butterbeer Graham Crackers. 

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And, of course, you have the actual drink itself, which has made such a buttery, beery splash at Universal’s Harry Potter resort. Now, Disney’s getting involved – well, kind of. It just dropped a drink that’s sort of, kind of, basically identical to butterbeer, under a different name. Someone call the lawyers! Here’s what we know.

What’s Disney Done Now?

Never to be outdone, Disney’s just released its Gaston Brew, which was sadly available for just two days between March 3 and March 5. Named, of course, after the “Beauty and the Beast” character, this drink was available in the Red Rose Taverne at Disneyland, for the not-so-bargain price of $7.79 per stein. It was released in conjunction with Disneyland’s “70 Years of Favorites” celebration, which marked seven decades of the park bringing joy to youngsters and Disney Adults alike.

By description alone, Gaston’s Brew definitely sounds like butterbeer. The park/animation company/mega corporation gave this drink a butterscotch flavor and topped it with a big ol’ scoop of dulce de leche. Basically, this bears all the hallmarks of the Wizarding World’s favorite grog.

Did It Actually Taste Like Butterbeer, Though?

Yes, it did, according to the people who tried it! The OC Register sent a reporter down to Disneyland to sample the drink, and he came back with the news that it was pretty much identical to the one served at Universal. The only difference in terms of flavor, really, was that Gaston’s Brew was a little fizzier than standard butterbeer. 

The reporter did note, however, that the construction of the two drinks was pretty different. Butterbeer is served in a draft style, whereas Gaston’s Brew is poured over ice. This means that you get less drink for your money, and that the whipped topping is slightly infiltrated by the ice cubes, so you don’t get as much with every glug. But other than that? It’s pretty much butterbeer, baby. 

Will It Be Coming Back?

We have noooo idea. Sorry! However, we wouldn’t be surprised if it does at some point. Disney has been actively trying to bulk up its beverage offer in its parks in recent years, and this feels as though it could be a bit of a flagship item for the Red Rose Taverne. We suspect that there might be a to-ing and fro-ing on how close it is to the Harry Potter product, but hey, we have no legal nous, so we may be well off the mark on that one. For now, though, you’ll just have to get yourself down to Orlando to have a classic butterbeer.