One of my favorite weekly moments happens on Sunday night, when I snuggle up hunker down in the mancave with a good craft beer in hand and watch whatever original drama is running on HBO.
While I’ve enjoyed Boardwalk Empire and have tried to enjoy The Newsroom (I always see Aaron Sorkin’s smarmy grin when the dialogue really gets rolling), I have absolutely loved Game of Thrones.
I’m not a huge fan of fantasy stuff and I’m TOTALLY freaked out by LARPERS and Ren Faire types, but Game of Thrones manages to be squarely in the center of this genre without skeeving me out the way that the video for the 80’s hit Safety Dance does.
Up until now, I’ve always enjoyed a barrel aged ale of some sort while watching the show, sipped from a glass goblet (you know, like a king would), but that might be changing.
Brewery Ommegang, famous for making Belgian beers in Upstate New York, has just announced a partnership with HBO in which they’ll create a series of brews based upon Game of Thrones.
The first offering in the line will be released in March, timed to the start of the third season of the show. The beer is called Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which makes me think that a certain dragon-mama is going to be making her play in a big way when the show begins again on March 31st. And no, I didn’t read the books so I don’t know what’s coming, and yes, I will be super-pissed if anyone tries to enlighten me to any upcoming plot points before they unfold on my screen. No spoilers!
A total of four A Game of Thrones beers will eventually be released, the next coming in the Fall of 2013, and the others to follow after that.
It’s terrific to see two things I love join forces like this. But mostly I’m just happy that they’re making a beer instead of a Game of Thrones inspired line of meads. I don’t think my Hobbit-hating sensibilities could handle that!
Any guesses on what the other brews in the line will be? A Westeros Wee Heavy in Tyrion Lannister’s honor?
Let us know your thoughts below!
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
This is just too frackin’ cool… Some suggestions:
– White Walker (White Ale)
– Taking the Black (a black IPA)
– Lecherous Imp (a small beer)
– Winter is Coming (Winter Warmer)
I have a feeling I could spend WAY too much time doing this…
I actually went “ooooohhh” when I read White Walker…
Great names………also great, topical use of “fracking”…….
http://www.watershedpost.com/2012/ommegangs-fracking-concerns-gain-national-stage
This is FANTASTIC news.
It is – I couldn’t believe it myself, but have traded several emails with the brewery folks and it is indeed happening. It’s good for craft beer!
I can’t comment on the fantasy part of the equation, but if any of these are as good as their Scythe & Sickle, I’ll be a happy camper. Belgian style ales are not usually a go-to for me but I’ve found S&S to be positively addictive!
I haven’t had that one, Massugu, but I’ve typically enjoyed Omegang’s stuff – very tasty and usually a good value as well.
Its fascinating how the rye and oats complement each other in this one.
I’ll have a go at it:
– Winds of Winterfel – White Ale
– Dothraki Double Dark – Imperial Stout
– Handsome Bastard – American IPA
Certainly looking forward to it and the new season.
I want to taste that Dothraki Double Dark! Wait, is it aged in the body cavity of a vanquished foe? Because then maybe I’ll hold off…
Bring Don Back Double.
I think this is pretty sweet! I love this show AND beer! Oh and they just posted more info and pics today: http://ow.ly/i/1gwa3/original
Why you gotta be hatin on hobbits?
This is such crazy news, I can’t even believe it. I’m an enormous GoT fan. I blew through all the books in about a month’s time, just before the series started, and I’m on all kinds of fansites discussing the books and show. Then, they get their own beer, and instead of being mass-marketed light lager crap, it’s by a good craft brewer, and not only good, but an excellent brewer that I already seek out at the store. If someone I knew sent me this story, I’d assume they were pulling my leg. So pumped.
Take a breath there, Brett… 🙂
Dornish Red- Red Ale