Fellow Ommegang beer fans: exciting news!
Hitting the shelves of your nearest friendly stores could be the newest addition to the lineup of Game of Thrones beverages, a tripel ale (!!!) inspired by Arya’s fraughtful journey through Braavos.
Brewery Ommegang and HBO Global Licensing are introducing a new beer and bringing back a previous brew: Valar Dohaeris Tripel Ale, the latest beer in the series that pays homage to Arya’s season-long struggles within and around the House of Black and White, and Valar Morghulis, the returning dubbel ale. Label art for both bottles features the two-headed coin, given to Arya Stark by Jaqen H’ghar, which gained her passage to Braavos at the end of Season 4.
“When we got a sense of the season’s key plot points, we knew right away Valar Dohaeris was the new beer name and that bringing back Valar Morghulis was a must,” says Bill Wetmore, General Manager and Marketing Director for Brewery Ommegang. “And I think HBO’s fantastic idea to have the gift pack mimic the House of Black and White is really going to be a hit with fans. It looks killer and I think fans are going to scoop them up pretty quickly for gifts or for their own collections.”
Hear that, Ommegang fans? You not only can buy two beers at once, like this drinker, but also a two beer set, which somehow is more exciting, and possibly a bargain.
“Of the classic Belgian styles, the dubbel and the tripel are two of our favorites to brew, and both are styles we’re particularly well known for,” says Ommegang Brewmaster Phil Leinhart. “I love the idea of releasing them together side-by-side. It is such a great way to experience them. They are also pretty hearty and should age nicely over time, so fans can stock up to last them through the winter and to fill the void until next season.” [Ed. note: in expert experience, 2 Ommegangs are not sufficient through til’ season 7]
Originally released in 2014, Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale is a name and style selected by fans in a December 2013 social media poll. One of the fastest-selling beers in the series, fans enjoyed this classic Belgian-style because it is fairly complex and full of intrigue – much like the show itself. Valar Dohaeris Tripel Ale is, much like a “faceless man,” not what it first appears to be; it shares the complexity of its sister-brew and a strength masked and belied by its lighter color.
Here are some stats, fellow beer nerds:
Valar Morghulis is 8% ABV, brewed with pilsner and specialty malts and hopped with Apollo and Hallertau Spalt Select hops. The hue is deep amber-brown and 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, a surprising counter to its aroma and initial taste.
Valar Dohaeris is 9% ABV, brewed with pils, wheat and oats, flaked barley, and hopped with noble hops. It pours a beautiful copper-tinted hue with a full, fluffy white head. Sweet grain and honey are prevalent in the aroma. The flavor opens with a bright sweetness thanks to the Belgian candi sugar used in brewing. The finish is moderately dry and effervescent with just a hint of Belgian yeast character.
Nom.
Thoughts? Comments? Which is your favorite of the Ommegangs? Share below!
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The Valar Morghulis was fantastic, and I plan on drinking my way to season 7.
Great 😀
OT:
http://www.people.com/article/game-thrones-maisie-williams-emmy-nomination-mom-date
I love her.
All men must drink
YES! Looks like it’s time to stock up. I’m probably going to need the breastplate stretcher by next year.
LCBO still hasn’t gotten in the 7 Kingdoms beer…but they said it was coming.
I still like Take the Black Stout the best though. Dubbel Ale was alright.
I much prefer the stouts, and am hoping they bring one or the other (or both!) back this year.
Hold the door!
Seriously, there’s an error in the article:
Arya headed to Braavos at the end of Season 4, not 5.
I love Belgian styles and VM is one of the best beers I’ve ever had along with Three Eyed Raven. Can’t wait to try Valar D (self edit: don’t shorten it to “VD”) and get my hands on the set!
Awesome! I always look forward to the new Game of Thrones beer from Ommegang and from the description, I’ve got high hopes for this one.
I’ve been lucky enough to sample all of the beers that Ommegang has released for Game of Thrones (I missed the initial wave of Iron Throne Blonde Ale, but discovered a bottle of it by chance a year or two back). I would probably rank them as follows:
1. Fire and Blood Red Ale
2. Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Ale
3. Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale
4. Iron Throne Blonde Ale
5. Take the Black Stout
6. Three-Eyed Raven Dark Saison Ale
But again, it’s all relative. I think the entire series has been excellent, and when it comes to beer, I’m not exactly discriminatory. Pour me a glass of any one of these, and I’ll enjoy it happily. 😉
I am going to find this and buy it.
The only beer I haven’t tried is the Fire and Blood Red Ale. I really like the stout and the dark saison ale the best so far. I prefer the darker ales so that is my bias. All of the ones I have tried have been good.
yum!
Definitely getting the gift set when it comes out, which I don’t usually do. But this is an exception I can get behind!
I thought Valar Morghulis was *alright*. Not the best in the series–that would be Fire and Blood, for me–but not as bad as Irone Throne ale which I used to think was the worst . . . until I had Seven Kingdoms this past Spring. Those two take some serious getting used to, but I’m not big on pale ales to begin with.
My ranking from best to worst:
1. Fire and Blood
2. Take the Black
3. Three-Eyed Raven
4. Valar Morghulis
5. Seven Kingdoms
6. Iron Throne
I get the feeling I will probably place this new one, Valar Dohaeris, above Morghulis in the 4th spot. I tend to like tripels very much, and Ommegang in particular makes some of the best. Their “Triple Perfection” ale, for example, is freakin AMAZING!!! 🙂
I’ve liked most of these, but the stout is my favorite, followed by fire and blood. Iron Thrones blonde ale is my least favorite. Does anyone know why they’ve changed the bottles? I hate the new look starting with 7 Kingdoms. The prior bottle design was better. Anyone else agree?
Do we know the release date for these beers?