Brewery Ommegang has released the second beer in its Royal Reserve Collection, an ongoing series of drinks celebrating different characters from Game of Thrones. Their last drink, the Hand of the Queen Barleywine Ale, was a rich, fruity blend made in homage to Tyrion Lannister, one of Westeros’ greatest functioning alcoholics. Now, Brewery Ommegang honors his only true rival with the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms Blonde Ale, made in tribute to Cersei Lannister.
“Cersei is a complex character,” said brewery president Doug Campbell, “and we’ve tried to emulate that profile with this beer, which blends a lovely, dry blonde ale with a subtly tart Belgian sour.”
"An exceptional blend of Belgian sour ale and Belgian-style blonde ale, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms is fitting for the fair-haired ruler who is as acerbic as they come. Available throughout Ommegang’s distribution network on June 29, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms will be offered both on draft and in 750ml bottles. The suggested retail price for a bottle is $12.99."
Brewery Ommegang and HBO Licensing & Retail were kind enough to send us a bottle of Queen of the Seven Kingdoms (and that Cersei Funko! Dorbz figure in the picture above), and we can confirm that it is a delightful blend of smooth and sharp. Those who normally steer clear of sour beers would do well to try this one, as its sweeter than the usual fair, and goes down extremely easy. “Summery” was the word we kept throwing around when we sampled it on this week’s episode of Take the Black Live.
It looks terrific, too. The bottle itself is labeled in gold, and wrapped at the top with foil emblazoned with Ommegang’s logo: a lion, which obviously works well for a Lannister beer. The beer pours golden, too, the color of Cersei’s hair, the family crest, and money, which she loves so dear.
At 6.4% ABV, the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms Blonde Ale may not be quite as alcoholic as Cersei would like, but it’s perfect for prolonged drinking over dinner, or on the porch enjoying a warm summer night. Brewery Ommegang recommends pairing the beer with “sharp aged cheeses and salty cured meats, red meat or dark poultry, and spiced desserts like pumpkin pie or apple tarts.” And now I’m hungry.
Thanks again to Brewery Ommegang and HBO Licensing & Retail for sharing this beer with us. You can use the brewery’s Beer Finder to see where it’s being sold near you. It comes highly recommended!
Next: Video: A survey of the wonderful cosplay of Con of Thrones
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