VIRGINIA BEACH — Sunday it’ll arrive for the masses on HBO, but Game of Thrones fans in Hampton Roads can get a little taste of winter – figuratively speaking – Saturday at Wasserhund Brewing here.
That day the brewery is hosting a get-together for the release of two new Game of Thrones-themed brews, in celebration of the show’s Season 8 premier.
Wasserhund owner Christine Holley said she and co-owner and husband Aaron didn’t “get dragged into” the show’s massive hype until about season four, but now they’re dedicated viewers.
“Our employees are probably bigger fans than us,” she said. “As a Wasserhund family though, we each love our own aspects of the show and characters, and have had fun replaying our rendition of its finale.”
Saturday’s bash will begin at noon and feature not only two new beers, but also the streaming of episodes of the show from previous seasons.
The mega-hit TV series is based on the novels by author George R.R. Martin and has legions of die-hard fans across the globe.
There’ll also be a $50 Wasserhund gift card for the fan who wears the best costume of their favorite (or least favorite) GoT character.
Additionally, a “dire wolf” adoption station will be set up: In the show and the books dire wolves are extremely large wolves owned by the Stark clan (and Jon Snow).
Those that will be up for adoption Saturday will not come from Winterfell, but will be the more run-of-the-mill type of canine found in Hampton Roads.
But the two new beers are likely to be the main attraction.
The first, Ghost, is of course named after show fan-favorite Jon Snow’s snow white dire wolf.
“It’s a white wine infused beer. Coming in at an estimated 12 percent, it’s going to be deadly and easy to love, the embodiment of a huge dire wolf,” Holley said.
The other new offering is called The Hound, after one of the show’s darker characters.
“This beer embodies the personality of The Hound – sweet, sour, and drinkable. It’s ready to surprise you,” she said, adding she expects a deadly showdown this season between Sandor, aka the Hound, and his wicked zombie-like brother Gregor, aka the Mountain.
The first 100 people to arrive, Holley said, will receive an “amazing” custom beer label sticker.
Wasserhund will also broadcast the Season 8 premier Sunday night.
“It’s going to be a crazy adrenaline rush,” Holley said of the show’s final season. “We can’t wait for the Mountain and the Hound to battle it out and for the White Walkers to desecrate Westeros and bring chaos.”
No pre-registration nor tickets are required for Saturday’s event.
Wasserhund Brewing is at 1805 Laskin Road, Suite 102.
