Game of Thrones fans looking for a reason to celebrate after the news that the final season of their beloved show will not air until 2019 can now raise the first glass in a series of special, limited release beers. The Royal Reserve Collection, crafted by Brewery Ommegang in partnership with HBO, serves “as an homage to one of four epic figures in the battle for the Seven Kingdoms,” according to the brewery’s blog. The fandom faces a long wait for new episodes, but at least there will be beer.
The upstate New York brewing company has produced nine other beers tying into the show since 2013. The just-announced Royal Reserve Collection is a “collectible series of four special, limited release beers…each beer will be brewed and blended with ingredients selected to match the character and temperament of the chosen hero, designed and brewed as Brewery Ommegang’s interpretation of what a royal brewer might brew for his or her noble master.”
Image courtesy of Aaron Barnaby via Unsplash.
The Royal Reserve Collection’s four beers will release in April, July, October, and December of 2018. In April, fans can look forward to tasting the brewery’s interpretation of Tyrion Lannister, called Hand of the Queen. Played by Peter Dinklage, Tyrion’s famous line, “I drink, and I know things,” as well as his love of wine and barleywine, a beer that is typically strong and complex in style, makes him the perfect character to pay tribute to in beer-form.
Ommegang’s Hand of the Queen has all the makings of a bold barleywine. The brewery’s tasting notes remark that it is rich, full-bodied, malty, and complex, with European hops. “Hints of molasses and toffee are evident before a finish characterized by the distinctive barleywine alcoholic heat.” The beer is strong, too, at 11-percent alcohol.
Image courtesy of Quentin Dr via Unsplash.
The remaining three Royal Reserve Collection beers will have their names, influences, images, and descriptions announced throughout 2018. If you can’t wait until then, try one of the other beers in Ommegang’s Game of Thrones series. The most recent debut, Winter is Here, a double white ale fermented with sea salt and white pepper, was introduced in October.
Grab your bottle or get the brew on tap throughout Ommegang’s distribution network beginning in April. Suggested retail for a 750ml bottle is $12.99.
For more information on Brewery Ommegang and their Game of Thrones line, click here.
Featured image courtesy of Michael Garcia via ThinkJam.