Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Butterbeer is the Smash Hit Product Launch of the Year

There may be no bigger product launch smash this year than Butterbeer," WalletPop.com said.

They are referring to the latest Soft drink launch, currently available exclusively at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal studios in Orlando Florida.

As Harry Potter fans flock to this theme park sensation, many of them are left at least half enchanted by the Butterbeer product. Wesh.com reporter, Gabe travers noted the the curious phenomena of the Butterbeer. “It's interesting that one small thing they can sell for a few dollars is getting as much attention as the rides ”, he wrote in his review of the the theme park.

Since the Harry Potter theme park opened on June 18, Butterbeer has been one of the most searched for terms on the internet. A recipe on the fansite Mugglenet.com received nearly 3,500 hits on the day of the theme parks opening, and is now averaging 1,200 views a day.

Universal are keeping their recipe top secret at the moment, a press release has only gleaned that the drink is "reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch."

In the Harry Potter novels, the beverage seems to have a slightly intoxicating effect, and some of the online recipes add a healthy dosage of butterscotch schnapps for good measure. The drink served at the park is a non-alcoholic variation. When J.K. Rowling was asked about Butterbeer in 2002 she revealed she had made the drink up. “I imagine it tastes a little like less sickly butterscotch”, the author said.

The creators of the beverage for the park were keen to get Rowling's approval for their recipe, which was granted after the writer sampled it herself.

This buzz of the Rowling approval seems to have spurred the popularity of the drink. “Everyone knows Butterbeer was approved by J.K. Rowling, so people want to taste it and see if their tastebuds match up, ” said Travers in his review of the park.

Butterbeer is being sold in two varieties at the moment, the regular chilled version and the frozen version. Many fans have been sampling both varieties in the park. “There are some two-fisted butterbeer moments happening," said Tom Schroeder, a spokesman for universal.

The general consensus amongst fans on the internet forums is that the frozen is the better variety.

Both variations have proved a great success with visitors in the park and has generally been receiving rave reviews. Though on discerning 11 year old visitor is slightly less under its spell, voicing her little reservations "It was too sweet to chug down, but it was good for the first five sips or so."

In a few months the Harry Potter park at Universal studios has become a cornerstone to Orlando's theme park region. Many hotels, that feared a decline due to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, have been enjoying full bookings, while owners of the various Orlando vacation rentals have also had a summer in which their properties have generally been fully occupied throughout.





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