American craft beer enthusiasts and Game of Thrones fans are set to get their hands on the latest collaboration between HBO and New York brewery Ommegang. The new Take the Black Stout will only be available to buy from selected retailers in the United States from the end of September.
Brewery Ommegang is located in Cooperstown, New York. In the 19th century this was the epicenter of the U.S. hop production, aided by the high quality water found in deep wells nearby. The brewery was built on land that used to be a hop farm, in 1997 – making it the first farmstead brewery built in the U.S. in over a hundred years.
Ommegang and HBO partnered this year to produce a series of Game of Thrones-inspired beers. Launched ahead of the season 3 debut in March, the Iron Throne blonde ale was a combination of gentle hopping and spicy notes from lemon peel.
“With a Lannister currently on the throne, it made sense to do a delicate, but piercing Golden Blonde Ale with Noble hops. Iron Throne is certainly fair in color and soft in appearance, yet it still possesses a complexity and bite to be on guard for,” says Phil Leinhart, Brewmaster at Brewery Ommegang.
The newest offering was inspired by the programme’s men of the Night’s Watch, promising to be deep, dark and complex. The label depicts the weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.
Launching just in time for the holiday season, the dark beer will be available in 750 ml bottles as well as small kegs and is expected to fly off the shelves as fans of the show race to get their hands (and tastebuds) on this deeply sinister beer.
Sadly, the beer will not be available to purchase outside of the U.S.A. The lucky ones who do live in the US can check out the calendar on their Facebook page for more information about when the beer is available in your area.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Emily came to the Netherlands for her boyfriend and a masters degree in Physical Geography. She enjoys photography, baking, and her cats… preferably not all at the same time. 
