New 'Game of Thrones' Ale Released: What Would the Series' Characters Drink?

With the release of Brewery Ommegang’s latest Game of Thrones collaboration beer, Take the Black (a stout brewed with liquorice root and star anise) we got to wondering: What beers would our favorite characters be drinking? And post-Red Wedding and Game of Thrones finale, don’t you need a drink? (We at least need one for the withdrawal. And don’t forget to pour one out for Robb.)

Arya’s worn a lot of different hats so far; she’s been Arya Stark, Arry, Lumpyface, and Nan. Dogfish Head’s Noble Rot toes the line between beer and wine, just as Arya shuttles between princess and scamp. And, like Arya, Noble Rot’s 9% ABV can definitely sneak up on you.

Samwell Tarly wears the uniform of the Night’s Watch but, as we see with Gilly, he’s really just a big sweetheart. Likewise, Willoughby’s Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter is opaque black in the glass, but tastes like the best iced coffee/Reese’s cup hybrid you’ve never had.

Mitch Hamilton, brewer at Blue Mountain, recommends the Evil 8*. “It’s a Belgian Dubbel,” he says, “as in double-crossing and murdering people at at wedding.” Sounds like a fitting beer for the meanest patriarch in Westeros.

SPOILER ALERT! You definitely haven’t seen the last of the Stark matriarch. Left Hand’s Wake Up Dead “lurks in [the] cellars for over four months before being unleashed.” Watch your backs, Freys.

The larger-than-life monarch deserves a large-than-life beer. Enter Blitzen, a big Belgian strong dark ale from Blue Mountain Brewery with tons of spicy yeast and dark fruit. (Plus, it’s got a drunk stag on the label. Let’s show a little Baratheon pride, shall we?)

Joffrey might be in denial, but most of Westeros knows he’s no Baratheon. As an insufferable by-blow, Stone's Arrogant Bastard is only fitting.

Infused with rosehips, Grimm Ales’ From the Hip reflects Margaery’s unwavering loyalty to House Tyrell. “She’s a strong female who can get things done,” says Lauren Carter. In her quest to be the queen, Margaery isn’t messing around, and at 7% ABV, this Belgian blonde isn’t, either.

Dany’s didn’t travel from the khalasar through Qarth, Astapor, Yunkai, and Mereen to end up drinking some staid lager. The Bruery’s Tradewinds uses rice to sweeten the body, and Thai basil for some kick. It’s a perfect, refreshing pour after a long day of overthrowing tyrannical slavers, and goes great with horse heart.

As the Master of Coin (and intrigue, on the side), Littlefinger can’t have his wits getting away from him, so a low ABV brown ale, like the subtle and smooth Captain Lawrence’s Brown Bird lets him stay sharp.

Step 1: Start with a black-as-the-Night’s-Watch stout. Step 2: Let it go wild with naturally occurring lactobacillus bacteria. Step 3: Turn your back on your kin, your homeland, and your chastity. Step 4: Crack open a Blue Mountain Sour Devil, and continue being the sexiest bastard on either side of the wall.

When Tyrion requests breakfast at Winterfell (“Bread,” Tyrion told him, “and two of those little fish, and a mug of that good dark beer to wash them down. Oh, and some bacon. Burn it until it turns black”), that good dark beer can be nothing other than Founder’s Breakfast Stout, made with coffee and oatmeal. (And no, I won’t make a “stout” pun.)