I geek out about a lot of things — beer is just one of my many nerdy obsessions. Among them, intermingled with dozens of repeat readings of Harry Potter and hours logged playing board games, is HBO’s Game of Thrones.
I especially love when my nerdy obsessions cross over, as in a great Doctor Who board game or a LEGO Harry Potter video game. But Brewery Ommegang’s Game of Thrones beer series may be the greatest nerdy crossover of all time… at least for me.
Ommegang’s Belgian-style ales were among my top picks even before they upped the nerd factor with the Game of Thrones brews. Ommegang sent me a sample of latest release, Three Eyed Raven, and now that I’ve cracked open a bottle I think it may be my new favorite from the series.
The beer pours an opaque jet black with a foamy, tan head and a yeast-forward aroma. In spite of its dark color, it’s a light, sippable Saison with a roasted sweetness and a little spicy hop flavor. Its 7.2% ABV is almost undetectable in the crisp finish.
Ommegang’s Three-Eyed Raven follows previous Game of Thrones releases Iron Throne Blonde Ale (Spring 2013), Take the Black Stout (Fall 2013), Fire & Blood Red Ale (Spring 2014) and Valar Morghulis Dubbel (Fall 2014).
Three-Eyed Raven will be released on April 6, just in time for the April 12 premiere of Game of Thrones — look for it at a fine beer bottle shop near you.
You can pick up the glass seen in my photo for this beer – and all its predecessors – in the HBO store.
Push through the thick brambles and present yourself to the Three-Eyed Raven. From the darkness he watches you. All of you, all of your lives, with a thousand eyes, and one.
