Ommegang Releases Game of Thrones Gift Pack

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.

Brewery Ommegang Releases Second Game of Thrones Beer

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) Night gathers, and it's time to unveil the second Game of Thrones beer. From Brewery Ommegang and HBO comes the highly-anticipated Take the Black Stout, inspired by the Night’s Watch and the men who stand it. The label features the sacred Weirwood tree, where men such as Jon Snow — who worship the old gods — take the Night's Watch oath.

Take the Black Stout inherits the mantle of the wildly successful Iron Throne Ale, which arrived earlier this year and had beer lovers, retailers, and wholesalers clamoring for more. Bottle shops and grocery stores across the country sold out in days, while bars poured through kegs in hours. To quench the Tyrion-sized thirst of beer-drinking Game of Thrones fans, Ommegang will more than double the volume of the Iron Throne release. Take the Black Stout will debut this fall through Ommegang’s nationwide distribution network.

Mike McManus, Ommegang’s Innovation Manager, developed the beer with wintery thoughts and dark tidings in mind. “I imagined Take the Black Stout as a hearty and robust beer to fortify those heroically standing watch at the Wall,” said McManus. “Like their lives, the beer is dark, complex and bold.  The maltiness offers deeper complexity than traditional stout; the brew also boasts more alcohol at 7% ABV, more body and more hops than typical stout offerings.   Spicing with star anise and licorice root - imbues deeper flavors and an enticing aroma. I’d like to think it would offer comfort to those upholding their vows at the Wall.”

Tasting notes for Take the Black Stout:

Take the Black Stout is brewed with base malts, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. It’s hopped with Northern Brewer hops and spiced with licorice root and star anise.

The hue is deep black, almost opaque, with a full tan head. Aromas include dark chocolate, caramel malt, and earthy hops, with light roastiness, and a touch of fruitiness.

Taste includes chocolate, dark coffee, rich malt character, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness converges with a slight woody character and spiciness.

The finish offers a sweet malt character giving way to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.

Take the Black Stout will be available on draft and in 750ml corked bottles. A new custom glass, designed especially for the beer, will also be available.

Further details regarding Take the Black Stout will be revealed  later this summer.

Photos: Brewery Ommegang. High resolution version available from allison@ommegang.com. 

About Brewery Ommegang

Brewery Ommegang, part of the legendary Belgian brewer Duvel Moortgat family, opened in 1997 to craft-brew fine Belgian-style ales. Ommegang creates six ales year-round, as well as an extensive and imaginative range of seasonal and specialty ales. The beers have won a national following by connoisseurs of fine beer and are distributed in 45 states and internationally. Ommegang is located on a 136-acre farmstead in Cooperstown, New York, USA and offers free daily tours and inexpensive tastings as well as a 100-seat café, a well-stocked brewery store, and an annual calendar of public events. Ommegang is open every day of the year except for Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and New Year’s Day. For more information, please contact info@ommegang.com, call1-800-544-1809, or visit www.ommegang.com. Ommegang is a member of the Duvel family of fine beers. Follow Ommegang on Twitter: @BreweryOmmegang , Facebook.com/Ommegang, Instagram: @BreweryOmmegang

About HBO Global Licensing

HBO Global Licensing officially licenses the HBO^® brand for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines inspired by the network’s award-winning programming.  With products created around classic series like the The Sopranos^® and Sex and the City^® to current hits like True Blood^® andGame of Thrones^®, items include fashion apparel, jewelry, digital and CD soundtracks, games, books as well as exclusive, premium collections in partnership with upscale, designer brands.  Merchandise can be purchased in retail stores nationwide, at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop^®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City.  HBO Licensing & Retail products are also sold internationally across Europe, Asia and Australia.

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