Cheers to the freakin’ weekend! HBO and Ommegang Brewery have collaborated again to bring us another distinct new ale in preparation for the seventh season of Game of Thrones. Fans will be able to pledge their loyalty to House Stark, Targaryen, or Lannister with the Bend the Knee Golden Ale.
Available just in time to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, Bend the Knee will be available on draft and in a series of three collectible 750ml bottles shown above, and will retail at $10.99 with a 9.0% ABV. Brewery Ommegang President Doug Campbell reflects on the inspiration for the new brew:
With this next Game of Thrones-inspired release, we wanted a beer and a pack that was fit for a king… or a queen. Drawing from a rich Belgian brewing tradition, Golden Strong Ales are deceptive due to their unique combination of extreme drinkability and relatively high alcohol content. Bend the Knee walks that line, while also incorporating the delicate flavors of honey into the mix. The subtle noble and floral hop contribution adds to its delicateness, and the beer finishes smooth and dry.
HBO’s Vice President of Global Licensing and Retail Josh Goodstadt shares the company’s enthusiasm in releasing just in time for season 7:
We love the idea of a golden ale to kick off the summer and to keep fans engaged as they wait for Game of Thrones to return. With the story focusing in on these three major houses—Stark, Lannister and Targaryen—we’re excited to give fans the chance to align themselves with their favorite house as they sip this latest brew.
The unique brewing experience also gives the beer a distinctive taste:
Bend the Knee is brewed with pils malt and flaked oats and hopped with Saaz, Bravo, and Styrian Golding hops. It pours a golden hue with a large, frothy head. Both the aroma and flavor mix maltiness and citrus from the hops, while Ommegang’s signature house yeast produces prominent fruitiness. Wildflower honey added during fermentation provides light sweetness to the beer, which finishes dry and with firm hop bitterness.
Brewery Ommegang pairs the ale’s “clean and balanced flavor” perfectly with summer dishes like seafood and shellfish, roasted and grilled chicken, grilled steaks and aged Swiss-style cheeses.
Sounds delicious and aptly timed! Bring it on, Ommegang!
Will you be celebrating Memorial Day weekend in a Westerosi fashion with these new ales? Leave us a comment letting us know!
Hodor!
We drink when we know things!
where is it sold? only in US I guess
dragonreborn,
I’m afraid so! I couldn’t find it and some people from UK couldn’t either.
I’ve got a golden ale, I put it in my bum
Me and my bum have all kinds of fun
Like the good queen Cersei, I prefer wine over ale. So I’ll drink that.
Yum! Count me in!
Shy Lady Dragon,
Yes! Ah, even though I’m inclined to align with house Stark I’m sure I’ll be bending the knee and the wallet to pick up all three of these. 😀
Canny marketing move: giving the same product three different labels, so that collectors will feel obligated to buy one of each, even if they’re not crazy about the ale. At ABV 9, best not drink all three during one episode!
All the Ommegang GoT brews have been interesting and worth a try so far, though.
I drink three at once, so I know three times as many things. I will also probably be bending the knee afterward.
To the Porcelain God, most likely.
Aryamad,
Cheers! Have one (or more) for me, too!
Casso,
???
I think that’s how most of us will end up after buying them ?
If it’s got honey it’s mead, not ale?
dragonreborn,
Hi there.
Brewery Ommegang is owned by Duvel Moortgat. We can get most, if not all of the Duvel products over here in the U.S. from most beer stores. If it is not carried, it can be ordered. Perhaps the same is true in Europe. I would hope so, anyway.
I’m sorry, this comment is out of topic but…..did Podrick’s actor confirm ALL the leaks? thank to talking thrones for this
Oh no! What are we going to do in the coming months? I just can’t live with product launch news, and concert news…. It’s not enough!
No filming news. Thanks to leaks, little theory discussions, because “it is known” what is going to happen (among hard core fans) and who knows when are going to get any new footage…. I feel like crying, honestly.
I only hope the cast starts giving interviews reltated to whatever else they are doing (eventually conversation always veers towards GotT). Unless some miracle occurs, I will spend the next three months under a rock, thank you very much.
There is season 7 got promo on YouTube. And it is amazing!
My apologies it is a fan made promo. I got so excited that didn’t check the details…
They should make “Shadowlands – Asshai Pale Ale”
How do they NOT have one for Sandor “Got any ale?” Clegane ?