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Free beer is on the menu this summer at these US theme parks
Tarah Chieffi
Senior writer
As a senior writer for TPG, Tarah Chieffi helps readers travel better, more often and within their budget.
June 09, 2022
•
4 min read
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Craft brews and coasters may seem like an unlikely pair, but four U.S. theme parks are out to prove that theory wrong this summer.
Throughout the summer, all four Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks across the country are enticing over-21 guests with a "buzzworthy" complimentary beer offer. The specifics vary from park to park, so let's stop making beer puns and start looking at what each park has brewing (OK, last one, I promise).
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Located just an hour and a half from the theme park capital of the world in Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is gifting guests not one, but two complimentary beers now through Aug. 7 during the park's all-new Summer Celebration event.
In addition to live entertainment, DJ-led dance parties and fireworks spectaculars, guests can visit Pantopia Drinks & Snacks for two 7-ounce beer samples per visit.
Related: Beyond Disney: 17 new theme parks and attractions we're looking forward to this year
Those samples may give you just enough liquid courage to tackle Busch Gardens' newest coaster, Iron Gwazi. Open since March, this hybrid steel and wooden roller coaster is the country's tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia has been voted the world's most beautiful theme park for 32 straight years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, and free beer may make it seem even more lovely.
During the park's Summer Celebration, which runs from June 17 through Aug. 14, guests can enjoy free concerts, live entertainment, fireworks, new summer snack options and two free (or cheap) beers per visit.
Members and pass holders will receive two free beers and all other guests can purchase two fifty-cent beers per visit in the park's Ireland village. That's practically free when you consider how expensive a theme park trip can be.
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SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando has been pretty busy lately.
The park opened Ice Breaker, its first-ever launch coaster, in February and recently teased a new coaster coming in 2023. That will give SeaWorld a total of seven thrilling coasters and the honor of being the coaster capital of Orlando.
In between coaster runs, guests can cool off with two free seven-ounce beers per visit between June 7 and Aug. 4. Drinks are available at the park's Waterway Bar. If the beer whets your appetite, you can pop back over to SeaWorld on weekends between Aug. 5 and Sept. 5 for the park's annual Craft Beer Festival.
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio season and annual pass holders can sip on one complimentary beer per visit through Aug. 6 during the park's annual Electric Ocean celebration.
Drinks are available from the Lone Star Lakeside Bar, the park's full-service bar set on the banks of the iconic water ski lake
There's no alternative deal for regular day guests, but there's still lots of fun to be had during the festival including a water ski stunt show, concerts, fireworks, a giant Light Bright wall and more.
Whichever park you choose to visit, don't forget to bring your ID and a couple of friends — and remember to always coaster responsibly.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.