UPDATE 9/1: This Game of Thrones-inspired release will not be available in Canada.
Yesterday, Mike Snider from USA Today announced that our fall Game of Thrones-inspired release is a return of both Iron Throne Blonde Ale and Take the Black Stout, the first two beers in our collaborative beer series with HBO. The beers will be available on draft, in single 750ml bottles, and also in limited edited gift packs that include a bottle of each beer plus a glass. You should start to see the beer and gift packs at the end of September.
Please note: Ommegang is currently not distributed in North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, West Virginia, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming so unfortunately Iron Throne Blonde Ale and Take the Black Stout and the gift packs will not be for sale in these states.
It is illegal for us to sell online or directly to customers who are not at the brewery, so we cannot do any online orders. We sell the beer from the brewery to distributors in each state who then sell to retailers (bars, grocery stores and other locations). There are a few websites that are allowed to sell beer directly to fans and we will post those here as they come in.
Below is the press release with all the details about the release.
Cheers!
Allison
Mother’s Mercy – Iron Throne Blonde Ale and Take the Black Stout to return this fall
HBO® and Brewery Ommegang to re-release first two beers in popular Game of Thrones® collaboration
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) While in Westeros it remains very much uncertain who will ultimately rule the Seven Kingdoms, fans of Brewery Ommegang and the hit HBO show Game of Thrones are going to enjoy something not seen since the merry rule of King Joffrey – Iron Throne Blonde Ale and Take the Black Stout. The two first brews in the collaboration series, much like Jorah Mormont, are back just when fans thought they were gone forever. Both beers will be re-released this fall on draft, in single 750ml bottles and in a first-ever collectible gift pack featuring a bottle of each and a commemorative Game of Thrones glass.
“We heard from so many fans who were disappointed about missing the first two Game of Thrones beers,” said Josh Goodstadt, Vice President of Global Licensing at HBO. “The popularity of the beers has grown right alongside the popularity of the show, and we are thrilled to give these first two brews a second turn in the spotlight.”
When it was originally released in 2013, Iron Throne Blonde Ale was brewed at only 25% of the volume of the most recent beer, Three-Eyed Raven, which hit stores this spring timed to Season 5 of the show. Bottle shops across the country sold out in days, while bars poured through kegs in hours. Take the Black Stout was brewed at twice the volume of Iron Throne and still sold out quickly. Fans who missed out on both of these popular brews, and those who can’t wait to try them again, will finally have a chance this fall.
“We had no idea what the reaction to a Game of Thrones beer would be when this all started,” said Bill Wetmore, Marketing Director for Brewery Ommegang. “We were blown away by the runaway success of these first two beers and are very excited to give loyal fans another chance to enjoy them.”
Iron Throne Blonde Ale has a slightly hazy golden amber hue. The head is full and fluffy. The finish is crisp, backed by a touch of spice and hops. The aroma is a bit grassy with a hint of lemon fruitiness from the lemon peel. The taste is lightly malty, rounded by honey malt sweetness. Iron Throne Blonde Ale is 6.5% ABV.
Take the Black Stout is deep black in hue, with a full tan head. Aromas include dark chocolate, caramel malt, earthy hops, and a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, dark coffee, and rich malt character. The beer has light, balanced roastiness aroma and taste. The clean hop bitterness converges with a slight woody character and spiciness. The finish offers sweet malt character giving way to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness. Take the Black Stout is 7.0% ABV.
The two beers will be available nationally in late September on draft, in 750ml bottles, and also in limited edition gift packs featuring a bottle of each beer plus a newly designed glass featuring the Ommegang and Game of Thrones logos in gold. Suggested retail price for the individual bottles is $9.99 and $22.99 for the gift pack.