I was already a HUGE Game
of Thrones fan, but once they
alerted me that there would be brews themed after the hit HBO show last year, I
was floored!
The past three brews Cooperstown, New York’s Brewery Ommegang
released—Iron Throne Blonde Ale (spring 2013), Take the Black Stout
(fall 2013), and Fire and Blood Red Ale (on shelves now)—were certainly
worthy of purchase and collecting. Now we all need to prepare for the Abbey
Dubbel, Valar Morghulis!
The name and beer style of this highly anticipated addition to the family were birthed from a poll
on Facebook last December thanks to a legion of avid Ommegang and Thrones fans. Just know that this Belgian-inspired brew won't be hitting the shelves until this fall, so hold
your horses and leave your armor with your squire until then!
Here is the
official press release below. See ya on the couch this Sunday for Episode 37:
Mockingbird!
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Game of Thrones fans select fourth beer, Valar
Morghulis, in bestselling Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnership
In the
world of Westeros, Valar Morghulis means “all men must
die.” Fans of the hit HBO show decided that “all men must drink” as well when
they voted the foreboding phrase as the name of the newest beer in the Game
of Thrones collaboration between HBO and Brewery Ommegang as part of a
late December Facebook poll. The voting also determined the style of the new
beer – an Abbey Dubbel – which is perfectly represented by the “two-headed”
coin which will adorn the labels. Valar Morghulis will be
available at retail in fall of this year.
Valar Morghulis is a central thematic element
in the critically acclaimed show’s fourth season, which recently debuted to
record ratings. As Arya Stark continues her journey to track down what family
she has left and to avenge those who have fallen, she adopts the High Valyrian
phrase as a mantra against the people she wants dead. As the name for the new
beer, the phrase won out during the December poll over Seven Kingdoms (Tripel), Hand
of the King (Quad) and Khal (Quad). Thousands of fans
cast their votes during the contest, and Valar Morghulis was
the clear favorite with almost half of the votes.
“The fan response to the beers has been so incredibly
positive that we thought it would be a fun reward to ask them to play an active
role in selecting the fourth beer,” said Bill Wetmore, Director of Marketing
for Brewery Ommegang. “It’s not uncommon to hear “valar brewghulis” spoken in
the halls of the brewhouse, so we were secretly hoping that Valar
Morghulis would be the winner. Our brewers are also excited to brew a
Dubbel, a classic Belgian beer style, and have some great ideas to make this
release extra special.”
Valar Morghulis follows Iron Throne
Blonde Ale (spring 2013), Take the Black Stout (fall
2013), and Fire and Blood Red Ale (available now) in the
hugely popular partnership between HBO and Brewery Ommegang. The limited runs of Iron
Throne and Take the Black sold out in a few short
weeks, and Fire and Blood Red Ale is also selling out quickly,
despite being brewed at nearly double the volume of the first two beers.
“The fan base for Game of Thrones keeps
growing larger as each new season debuts, and the popularity of the beers is
growing right along with the show,” said Josh Goodstadt, Vice President of HBO
Global Licensing. “For this fourth beer, we found the perfect opportunity to
give those diehard fans the power to choose what beer they wanted to drink, and
we can’t wait to share this special brew with them this fall.”
Valar Morghulis is brewed with pilsner and
other specialty malts and hopped with Apollo and Hallertau Spalt Select hops.
The hue is deep amber-brown with a persistent, creamy, off-white head. Aromas
include caramel, toffee, ripe fruit, banana and slightly burnt sugar. The taste
is well-balanced with rich malty sweetness, caramel and sugar, and just a touch
of bitterness to balance. The finish is surprisingly dry and light on the
tongue, belying the aroma and initial taste.
“The Dubbel is one of the most recognized beer styles in
Belgium and this is a very tasty version of that style,” said Mike McManus,
Ommegang Innovation Manager. “Valar Morghulis is a complex beer,
much like the stories surrounding the phrase.”
The label art will feature the two-headed coin, given to
Arya Stark by Jaqen H’ghar, one of the “Faceless Men of Braavos” – legendary
assassins with the ability to change their appearance at will. Each cork will
be fire-branded with “Valar Dohaeris,” which is the traditional response phrase
to “Valar Morghulis” meaning “all men must serve.”
Valar Morghulis will be available nationally
this fall (exact launch date still TBC) on draft (sixth-barrels) and in corked
bottles (25.4 ounces). The recommended retail price is $8.50 per bottle.
