Located in the Lost Continent island of the park. They are usually only open for lunch, and reservations are recommended. Reservation line:

Atmosphere 
The restaurant is built into a rocky mountain with a waterfall, and once you enter you feel like you are inside a cave. It does get rather noisy too with the lack of fabrics and dividing walls. There is a spacious outdoor seating area that gives a expansive view over the lagoon of the rest of the park. The good news is that even when the restaurant is closed, you can still get to part of the patio to enjoy the view.

Drinks 
Miller Lite, Yuengling, slushes

Food: Popcorn &, wait for it, . . . MEALWORMS!

Atmosphere: Just a walk up stand, this location is really an excuse to talk about eating mealworms, aka "Larvets", which, incidentally, aren't even at the stand, they're in the nearby Jurassic Park gift shop next to the cash register. The small boxes contain about 15 meal worms and come in your choice of cheddar cheese, mexican or BBQ. Here's the shocker, they're actually delicious! They're crispy and crunchy and have very little flavor besides the cheese, mexican spice or BBQ.

Once you get over the fact that you're eating bugs these are actually a lot like potato chips. Need another reason to try them? How about that they're a good source of low calorie protein?  Or how about that America is one of only a handful of countries on Earth that doesn't consider bugs a normal part of its diet?  The only "catch" in my mind is that they're a little addictive and crazy expensive at $2 a box.

Hmmmm, now how about something to make this section worth reading for those who refuse to eat bugs?  Jurassic Park River Adventure opened in Orlando in 1999, in Hollywood in 1996 and Japan in 2001, here's the interesting fact, the $150,000,000 production cost, that's $20 million more than the original movie cost to make, make it the most expensive ride ever made and it still holds its record nearly 15 years after openning.

Now that you've got an interesting fact about the ride you're nearly forced to ride it . . . and since it dumps you out into the gift shop, how about trying those mealworms on the way out? Come on, you're on vacation!

********** Update ************

They now have crickets and mealworms available at both MIB and Jurassic Park - no need to make that tough decision for which park to go to based on which bug you want to snack on.

Stop by for a pint of liquid courage before taking that Forbidden Journey with Harry. Located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, connected to the Three Broomsticks Restaurant.  

Draft Beer
Hog's Head Brew, Strongbow, Bass, Guinness, Boddingtons, Newcastle, London Pride, Stella Artois, Miller Lite, Yuengling

Pub Blends 
Have you been to the Rose & Crown Pub at Epcot and enjoyed one of their pub blends? They have a few of those same beers on tap here. While not on the menu at Hog's Head, if you ask the bartender he'll pour one for you.
Golden - half Stella & half Bass
Black & Tan - half Bass & half Guinness
Bumblebee - half Boddingtons & half Guinness

Hard Liquor
Alcoholic drinks are available, but at limited intervals. During peak seasons they will be removing the hard liquor so they can turn over butterbeer pours faster. While liquor is available, the mixers you have to choose from are assorted fruit juices, tonic, soda water and sweet & sour.

Prices 
All Import Draft Beers are 20oz. for $7.25, Domestic $6.75

Pour Quality 
Average

Food 
Sit down to a feast next door at the Three Broomsticks. Need a dumb fact while you dine? The movie makers were said to be so impressed with how Three Broomsticks turned out, that had never previously been seen in a movie, that they used it in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.

The bar and restaurant are connected, but employees are "guarding" the dining area and won't let you pass between the two - you have to go outside and enter through the main restaurant entrance. Hog's Head Brew and Miller Lite are available at the restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at this counter-service restaurant. See the menu photos at the bottom of this post.

Atmosphere 
If you didn't know better, you'd think you just stepped into an old-world English-style pub – with a twist. The low ceiling and lighting give it a cozy, intimate feel. Universal did a great job making it feel authentically dirty and grimy - even the beer tap handles are realistically aged to look like they've been there for decades. Some of the props behind the bar are supposedly the real thing, actually used in the movies.

And you can't miss the bar's namesake - the Hog right in the middle behind the bar. It's frighteningly lifelike, especially when he moves his head, snorts & puffs at patrons. (I've heard from a good source that he responds to tips.)

You can find some fantastically cold AC spots in here too. But good luck finding a place to sit as the bar stools are 'here today, gone tomorrow'. There are only 4 tables (each seating 4) that aren't reserved for diners of Three Broomsticks. It appears J.K. and us may have a differing view on enjoying a cocktail at a theme park. Once the weather cools down a little you can relax on the large outdoor patio behind the restaurant with lots of shaded seating and a great view of the castle and lagoon. You'll find an ATM back here too.


Review 
The bar has ten beers on tap, from the very light Miller Lite, to the stand a spoon in it thick Guinness. They've also got their own specialty beer, Hog's Head Brew. HHB is a deep golden Scottish Ale that's heavy on the bitter hops flavors, similar to a Killians. A young lady that ordered one next to me took one sip and exclaimed "Ewww, it tastes like rust!" and sent it back for a Miller Lite instead. While it's not exactly my favorite type of beer, I'd say that review may be a bit on the harsh side. To each, his own, right? I've read that Hog's Head Brew is Anheuser Busch's "Red Amber" which is also sold as Darden's (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Capital Grille) own brew. Though they no longer carry Budweiser products, back when they did it made sense that it could be the Red Amber, and I do remember not caring for Darden's very hoppy beer either but it's been too long since I've tried it to definitively state they're the same.

The Hog's Head Pub also had another beer I've never seen, London Pride. London Pride is also a deep golden lager that's dry, heavy on hops, and light on malt flavor. The bartender compared it to a chardonnay. That's not exactly what I'd compare it to. London Pride has done something special for me that I won't soon forget, it's set a new low for how bad beer can be. Every sip was like licking the underside of an old bar table. But, I'm a trooper when it comes to biting off more than I can chew. I toughed it out to the very bottom - unfortunately, it didn't get better as I got closer to the bottom. It was like a marathon of terribleness. 

Here's some good news, they've got one of my favorite uncommon beers on tap, Boddington's Pub Ale. The Boddington kegs are hooked up to a nitrogen tank, just like Guinness, so it does the same "building" after it's poured. The beer has a smooth, well balanced flavor and a slightly creamy mouth-feel. Also worth honorable mention, one of my favorite dark beers, Newcastle, and a great, crisp, dry cider, Strongbow, have found new taps to call home.

Butterbeer
Let's not forget the N/A selection! So, what's our take on Butterbeer? First off, as you probably already know, it's available from a tap that's fed by a keg, like a real beer, or frozen, like a slush. Neither have alcohol so they're perfect for the children or the thirsty teatotaler. Butterbeer from the tap is extremely similar to a cream soda - so similar in fact that I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and an A&W. They top it with a secret concoction that tastes of vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. The topping gives it a unique creamy head that holds large spooky bubbles for a long time. After giving the stuff on top a taste, I'm fairly certain that it's whipped cream without an accelerant to make it frothy but with a little extra stabilizer, like soy lecithin, to help it hold bubbles for a mysteriously long time. Frozen Butterbeer comes out of a slushie machine and is similar to a frozen vanilla cappuccino. The slush is topped with the same whipped cream topping as is used on the tap Butterbeer.

Pumpkin Juice
I also got my hands on the surprisingly good (and surprisingly expensive) Pumpkin Juice. $6.25, including tax, got me a 16 oz. bottle of what can only be described as pumpkin pie without the troublesome chewing. The biggest other surprises about it, 1. pumpkin puree was one of the top ingredients listed, 2. it was pulpy. Make your own Pumpkin Juice at home - check out our recipe here, along with some alcoholic cocktails using the concotion.

Updated 8/12

Thoughts on Wizarding World
This new land is really something. It's far more immersive than any other theme park area and it really shows you the direction theme parks are going in the future. Even the most adamant Disney fans (you know, the ones that hate Universal) will have to admit, Disney doesn't have anything like this. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney parks, but this land is so impressive, so over the top that it makes the Disney parks look the 15 - 40 years old that they are.

(By the way, the Forbidden Journey ride is AMAZING. It's easily the best non-roller coaster ride I've ever been on. Minor spoiler alert about the ride mechanism - imagine Spiderman but with Sum of All Fears Kuka Arms mounted to the cars. If that's not a recipe for success, I don't know what is.)

Have you visited the Hog yet? Tried his brew? Hate that I called out the Disney "fanboys"? Tell us what you thought or just air your grievance in the comments!

Here is the Main Course Menu over at the adjoining Three Broomsticks Restaurant. Click to enlarge. Updated 10/12.
  

Small stand located in the Lost Continent.

Specialty Slushes - $7.75
Strawberry, Coconut, Raspberry Lemonade & Orange

20oz. Draft Beer
Coors Light - $6

Pour Quality 
Poor

Food 
Chips, pretzels & churros.

Atmosphere 
Nothing special to look at here. Go over and watch the talking fountain or browse the unique gift shops.

Review 
Smaller than other similarly priced frozen drinks. Get the N-A version for $3.75 & grab a beer. Wait, $3.75 for N/A and $7.75 for the real thing?  That makes the .75oz of generic rum $4! That's probably enough to buy an entire bottle of that stuff.

Note to anyone from Universal that's reading this, could you please at least swing a decent pour in an $8 slush?

Updated 8/12

Located in Jurassic Park, you'll find this walk-up counter with food, beer and picnic table seating nearby. Only open during peak times of year.

Bottled Beer 
Miller Lite, Heineken, Fosters

Food 
Pizzas, salads & meatball subs.

Atmosphere 
Not much to look at but there are some picnic tables, shade and restrooms nearby. Unless you got food, go wander into the Jurassic Park Discovery Center to get some AC, as you walk towards the stairs to see the hatchery and full-size dinos, stop and take a look around. Does it look familiar? This portion of the building is an exact replica of the set from the original JP movie.  Remember the T-Rex tearing down a sign as he topples a T-Rex skeleton? This is where it happened, well, kind of. It's a good spot for a unique picture. The building is usually pretty empty inside with lots of tables and large windows facing the lagoon so it makes a good spot to cool off. Check out the often overlooked front of the Discovery Center for a nice area to chill & get a view of the whole park. People always miss this area, and it’s beautiful, with lots of lush plants. Great place to get away from the crowds for a bit.

Since we mentioned pictures, let's go ahead and agree on a JP dino pic rule. If you get your picture taken in front of one of the dinosaurs sticking his head out of the trees along the path, please take note, the correct expression on your face is TERRIFIED, not delighted.  Simulated running away, simulated knocking your friend down or cowering in fear are all acceptable; posing with your family with dumb grins on your face is not.
 
 

 Updated 8/12

Atmosphere 
It’s a small room with a beautiful mosaic bar, contemporary lighting, and one flat screen TV. Good place to catch your team play while at the park. Getting a seat at the bar is rare as it’s usually filled with people hanging out. Gets very crowded during the busy times, so it’s usually best to get one to go. There is also a patio out front with tables & chairs to relax and people watch.

Don't miss the lagoon area directly in front of the Backwater Bar. It's a great spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy the beautiful view. It can get hot here in the summer, so it's best enjoyed during cooler months.

Updated 8/12