May 25th, 2014 - Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken, And Unleashed Fire And Blood!

 

Good evening!  The Meista here with another rockin' craft brew and metal pairing for you!  Tonight I'm pairing Hammerfall's brilliant "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" with a Game Of Thrones Fire And Blood Red Ale from Brewery Ommegang out of Cooperstown, New York!  This one goes out to my beautiful wife and to all you fantasy and sci-fi nerds out there too... cheers to you all!!

Released on March 4th, 2005, "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" is the 5th kick-ass studio album by Swedish power metal band Hammerfall.  According to Wikipedia, "The album's title was inspired by the family motto of the fictional House Martell of Dorne from the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, as well as the name of the songs "Hammer of Justice," "Take the Black" and "Fury of the Wild". The lyric "Nothing burns like the cold" from "Never, Ever" is taken from the first chapter of A Game of Thrones, the first book in the series."  In the vein of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Hammerfall's style of power metal is thunderous, inspiring, and pure metal!  Personnel on the album: Joacim Cans (lead vocals), Oscar Dronjak (guitars and backing vocals), Stefan Elmgren (guitars), Magnus Rosén (bass), and Anders Johansson (drums).  And Conrad "Cronos" Lant of Venom fame provides guest vocals on "Knights of the 21st Century"!

The Game Of Thrones Fire And Blood Red Ale from Brewery Ommegang pours an auburn amber with thick, frothy head that displays good retention and lacing.  The nose is an interesting blend of fruit ester and spices along with Belgian yeast.  There are aromas of sweet pear and tart apple along with peppery chilies, cloves, and black pepper.  The strong Belgium-style profile dominates the initial flavor of the Fire And Blood.  It is both somewhat tart and very spicy as well as earthy.  There are notes of caramel, toasted bread, black pepper, cloves, and big yeast ester notes like ripe apples and fresh pears.  It finishes fairly clean, but with a nice, spicy bite.  Along with the obvious A Game of Thrones connection between the Game Of Thrones Fire And Blood Red Ale and specific songs from "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken", the beer itself is a fitting companion to the juggernaut power metal onslaught that is Hammerfall!

Skål... helan går!!