Craving Butterbeer? Skip the Lines (and Prices) at Universal and Head to Yoshinoya Instead

Why bother going to Universal Studios for Butterbeer, and paying extra for it on top of the general entrance ticket price, when you can just head to Yoshinoya and get a cup of the stuff for RMB 15? That's right, the Japanese chain has been touting a few seasonal beverages recently, and one of those options is a non-alcoholic Butterbeer that's actually quite tasty!

The beer pours a slightly medium-orange tone and comes topped with a layer of cookie-flavored "cheese." The appearance kind of reminds me of a latte at Starbucks with whipped cream, or even cheese-topped tea. When you take the lid off the cup,  you are greeted with the pleasant aroma of vanilla, coconut, and melted cheese, similar to a butter cookie.

When you finally drink it, the beer first overwhelms your palate with a rush of flavors of yeast, butter, and some vanilla, however, the tastes gradually taper off into a slight tang reminiscent of ginger ale. There is moderate creaminess, and the whole thing leaves a bit of sweetness in your mouth that resembles buttermilk and vanilla ice-cream.

If you are a true expert in Butterbeer you will find that the sweetness in this particular version isn't as coy as usual, and that, more than anything, Yoshinoya has done a good job of making the drink taste like authentic beer with a butter-inspired twist.

In my opinion, it's certainly worth a try if you have a sweet tooth and are into items like caramel-flavored popcorn or coconut cookies.

The idea of mixing butter or something sweet into beer isn't exactly new, and brewers have been doing that for years, but special periods of the year mean seasonal beers, and Yoshinoya has managed to present a very commendable offering that is perfect for the holiday season. Be sure to grab a taste soon because this drink won't be around very much longer!

So, why not treat yourself to a cup of non-alcoholic Butterbeer while it lasts? Your taste buds (and your wallet) will certainly thank you for it.

You can find Butterbeer at multiple Yoshinoya locations.

Read: Booze News: Spicy Beer Tap Takeover, Cassettes and Cocktails, Re-Released Brews 

Images: Dianping