BRIDGEPORT — Winter is coming to Maria’s.
On Sunday, bartenders behind the stick at Maria’s Community Bar, 960 W. 31st St., will tap “Game of Thrones” Iron Throne Blonde Ale by the New-York based Brewery Ommegang.
The tapping coincides with Sunday’s season three debut of the acclaimed HBO series, an epic fantasy about a battle for control of a mythical land, which airs at 8 p.m.
The brewers created the Blonde Ale — the first in a planned "Game of Thrones" series — to match the color of the hair of the much-maligned House Lannister.
“It’s an approachable beer, easy to drink. We make some very strong, big beers so we kind of wanted to start with this,” said brewery spokesman Larry Bennett.
Here’s how the brewery describes it: “A blonde ale at 6.5 percent ABV and brewed with a robust amount of pils, honey malt, aroma malts and red wheat. Gentle hopping includes Styrian Golding and Hallertau Spalter Select, appropriately noble hops. Spiced with grains of paradise and lemon peel.
"Hue is a slightly hazy golden amber. Head is full and fluffy. Finish is crisp, backed by a touch of spice and hops. Aroma is a bit grassy with a hint of lemon fruitiness from the lemon peel. Taste is lightly malty, rounded out by honey malt sweetness.”
Only about 70,000 gallons of Iron Throne Ale were brewed, Bennett said. It’s available in 750 ml bottles and small kegs in select locations throughout the country.
At Maria's, the bottles will be sold for $10.99. A 9-ounce draft snifter will cost $6.
Also tapping at Maria’s on Sunday: Ommegang’s Belgian Independence Day 2012 Tripel and Duvel's "Rustica the Duvel" recipe brewed at Ommegang.
And here's some good news for the rest of Chicago: According to Ommegang's “Find a Beer” locator, Iron Throne will be stocked at 18 Chicago liquor stores.
