When one thinks merchandising for huge IP for film and TV you don’t usually consider branded alcohol as a possibility. However, that hasn’t stopped HBO from teaming up with Ommegang to brew beer based on it’s acclaimed Game of Thrones series, and apparently it’s been rather successful as HBO & Ommegang have had a Game of Thrones beer license for years now & I was lucky enough to give it a try.

Game of Thrones is a 2011 action fantasy series, it is produced by Television 360 and distributed by WB TV for HBO.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of the Game of Thrones Winter is Here/Fire and Blood Beer Gift Pack was provided by HBO and Ommegang.

The Winter is Here & Fire and Blood beer out of box.

Since it’s launch as an adaptation of author George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice & Fire” in 2011, Game of Thrones has been an immensely popular powerhouse. And it’s merchandise presence alone is enough to give nearly any long-running series a run for their money. One such piece of merchandise just so happens to include licensed alcohol based on the TV adaptation’s likeness. Brewer Ommegang has released several such licensed drinks including the recently released “Winter is Here” and “Fire and Blood”, which I was able to taste recently.

Winter is Here has a light taste which can be enjoyed while relaxing with the TV or whatever you choose to do to pass the time.

While I enjoy beer more often than I’d like to admit, I rarely go for any out there or unfamiliar brews and/or flavors. Usually a Bud Light or Miller Lite will do me just fine, however there have been occasions when my curiosity in something new piques. In comes the new gift pack for HBO and Ommegang’s licensed beer. Featuring both a light and dark flavor, as well as a collectible glass (for anyone who cares about that sort of thing), you get a pretty sizable double pack for about $24 depending on where you go to shop. The light “Winter is Here” in my opinion is definitely the winner of the of the duo, I was able to enjoy it both while warm and cold. I know tasting beer while warm sounds insane, but I did it anyway. “Winter is Here” had a smooth flavor that wasn’t too tough to drink, and would probably be more welcoming to newcomers looking to branch out from your average alcohol.

The Fire and Blood Ale (original release design) is the dark beer featured in the gift pack.

In contrast, the darker “Fire and Blood” ale definitely took after it’s brew, as the spicy flavor was almost instant, especially when warm. Admittedly, I could see myself drinking “Fire and Blood” if I was really just looking for a tough, strong tasting beer, but I really can’t picture myself drinking it or something like that regularly. It’s like you can literally taste the ancho chilies being poured down your throat. If you’re into that type of taste & I’m sure some alcohol enthusiast are, then more power to you, but it’s definitely not a long-term taste for me. Due to the nature of the product I’m not going to give a score, but I’ll close by saying that if you’re really interested in beer enough to try all kinds, or a major Game of Thrones fan then I can see this gift pack being awesome for a viewing party or marathon session, and it’s not the most expensive beer set out there for what you’re getting.