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Game Of Thrones and HBO Unveil Their Second Brew, Take The Black Stout.

If you hadn't already heard, Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnered on a series of beers inspired by the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones.

The first release, the golden amber Iron Throne ale, sold out quickly due to small quantities and great demand. The second, soon to be released "Take The Black Stout", is said to be doubled in volume, so there's enough to go around for avid fans.

Take the Black Stout is a 7% beer, brewed with base, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. Hopping includes Great Northern hops; spices are licorice root and star anise. Hue is black with full tan head. Aromas include chocolate, caramel, and earthy hops, light roastiness, a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, coffee, rich malts, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness joins with slight woody character and spiciness; the finish offers sweet malt character leading to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.

Take the Black Stout is named for the oath taken by those who stand the Night’s Watch at the Wall, defending Westeros against northern.

above: The label features the Weirwood trees considered sacred by the people of the North. It was designed by a52, the same studio that designed the impressive opening sequence for "Game of Thrones."

above: screengrab of a Weirwood tree from Game of Thrones

Take The Black Stout will be available in limited quantities in 750ml bottles & 1/6 BBL kegs beginning October 2013.

Brewery Ommengang and HBO are said to be releasing four game of Thrones Beers in total.

If you never heard about the first release, Iron Throne Ale, here's some info and pics for you:

Iron Throne is a blonde ale at 6.5% 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.

info and images courtesy of Ommengang Brewery.

As a fun aside, check out this "Beer of Thrones" parody video by Comediva:

Don't miss this post on Geekologie where they share some fun faux beer labels inspired by fantasy drama.

Actor of Screen and Stage, James Gandolfini Dies Far Too Young.

Best remembered as mob boss Tony from seven seasons on "The Sopranos" for which he won three Emmys, actor James Gandolfini has sadly and unexpectedly passed away. The New York Times reports, with confirmation from HBO, that the actor died Wednesday morning in Rome of a massive heart attack while vacationing with his family.

above: Still of James Gandolfini, Steven Van Zandt, Michael Imperioli and Tony Sirico in The Sopranos

The 51 year old New Jersey native was both a superb stage actor (he appeared as Michael in God of Carnage on and off Broadway) and screen actor who helped to make HBO Sunday Nights an occasion in homes worldwide.

His loss will be felt by family, friends and fans alike.

Limited Edition Star Trek Wines Feature Labels With The Artwork of Juan Ortiz.

STAR TREK, the wine, is a limited edition of varietals that features artwork designed by artist Juan Ortiz in celebration of Star Trek: The Original Series. Fans will recognize three of the wine labels as three of the most beloved episodes of all time: “The City on the Edge of Forever,” “The Trouble with Tribbles” and “Mirror, Mirror.”

The Collection
These first ever Star Trek wines are being released as a limited edition collection with limited production. Each wine commemorates one of Star Trek's most famous episode from The Original Series.

From the delicate Bajoran spring wine of Kendra province to the fruity bouquet of rare Tulaberry wine, Star Trek has a longstanding appreciation for wine and its many varietals and complex flavors. STAR TREK, the wine, sourced from Viansa Winery in Sonoma, California, is a medium bodied red blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc. This beautifully developed blend shows its unique character for a balanced and complex wine that’s pleasurable from start to finish. A limited 1701 cases of wine have been produced, all of which are available for sale exclusively on Vinport.com.

Episode: The City on the Edge of Forever

Often voted by Trekkies as their all-time favorite episode from The Original Series, "The City on the Edge of Forever" first aired in April of 1967. In order not to disrupt and change the course of history, you should consider adding this wine to your collection. (The poster above which was used for the label is available for purchase here)

Episode: Mirror Mirror

One of the most iconic and memorable Star Trek episodes ever created, "Mirror Mirror" first aired in October of 1967. Be careful not to travel through any ion storms, as your savage counterpart will surely try to steal your wine!
(The poster above which was used for the label is available for purchase here)

Episode: The Trouble with Tribbles

One of the most beloved Star Trek episodes ever created, "The Trouble With Tribbles" first aired in December of 1967. While the Tribbles were quick to multiply, the wine will unforunately be quick to disappear.
(The poster above which was used for the label is available for purchase here)

The Labels
Each of the labels has been designed by famous artist, Juan Ortiz. Commissioned by CBS, Juan Ortiz has created a collection of 80 original prints to commemorate each episode of The Original Series (including the unaired pilot episode).

The book, Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz is a new hardcover book available September 2013 and can be pre-ordered here.

The Wine

The wine used in this collection is produced from the award-winning Viansa Winery in Sonoma, California. It is a special blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Tinta Cao, and Tempranillo. The blend comes together to create a medium-bodied, easy drinking red wine that is full of depth and character.

STAR TREK, the wine, is licensed by CBS Consumer Products and retails for $24.99 on Vinport and can be enjoyed with pizza, grilled meats or vegetables, or your favorite Romulan dish.

Shop for the Star Trek Wines here

An Ad To Which We Can Relate. Tempur-Pedic's You Are How You Sleep (The :60 and the :30).

The best and most powerful ads tap into a reality to which people can relate. Minneapolis based ad agency Carmichael Lynch's debut creative for the Tempur-Pedic brand, "You Are How You Sleep" commercial, does just that.

A lousy mattress leading to a poor night's sleep may not be a genius insight, but it doesn't have to be when executed this well. Those who require solid slumber to be their best will certainly notice themselves in the big grumpy Mama bear when deprived of shut-eye.

The likeable and memorable television commercial has been cut as a :60 and a :30 (both are shown further down in this post).

Great casting of and performances by the twin actresses along with adept direction and excellent editing make the spot both poignant and funny simultaneously. Full credits are at the end of the post.

The 60 second cut:

The 30 second cut:

Full Credits
Agency: Carmichael Lynch
CCO: Dave Damman
Client: Tempur-Pedic
ECD: Marty Senn
Art Director: Brad Harrison
Art Director: Doug Pedersen
Director of Integrated Production: Joe Grundhoefer
Producer: Jon Mielke
Prod. Co.: The Directors Bureau
Director: Mike Mills
DOP: Kasper Tuxen
EP: Lisa Margulis
Line Producer: Youree Henley
Editing: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Grant Surmi
Producer: Joanna Hall
Producer: Marguerite Olivelle
Composer: Roger Neill
Sound Design: BWN Music and Sound
Sound Design: Carl White

The Walking Dead Guitars & Accessories From Peavey With Artwork By Charlie Aldard.

A big hit at the Long Beach Guitar Expo and The NAMM 2013 Show was the newly licensed product line from Peavey Electronics® featuring graphics from The Walking Dead, the award-winning comic and TV show.

Professional graphic designer and illustrator Ayse T. Werner quit her boring job to be able to what she really wanted to do - photography and drawing. And after seeing these, I'm so glad she did and I think you'll agree.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents the FAB1, a customized Pink Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase set to support FAB1 Million and Breast Cancer Care.

Headed by Broadcaster and car nut Chris Evans (shown above as character Aloysius Parker from the Thunderbirds TV series with puppet*), the FAB1 Million project is set to raise £1 million for Breast Cancer Care through making this bespoke Ghost available to hire over the next twelve months. This extraordinary car will make appearances at exclusive events as well as being available for hire for any special day, with all proceeds directly benefiting Breast Cancer Care.

above: Blushing Pink and Crème Light interior and a pink accented umbrella are some of the exclusive accents

In support of this exciting project and very worthy cause, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team has prepared a very special motor car, combining numerous exclusive bespoke elements, from pink accented umbrellas, to hand-embroidered headrests featuring the Breast Cancer Care pink ribbon motif. Further enhancements include unique ‘FAB1’ treadplates and a Blushing Pink and Crème Light interior leather scheme. An uplit Spirit of Ecstasy adorns the silver satin bonnet.

In addition to providing a superior ride experience and ample legroom, the passenger experience of this exceptional Ghost Extended Wheelbase is enhanced with hand veneered picnic tables, 9.2 inch LCD screens and a champagne coolbox. Passengers will be able to relax with a chilled glass of champagne, indulge in a concerto, courtesy of a 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers delivering 600 Watts of surround sound, or simply sink into sumptuous leather seats and lambswool footmats, relaxing into luxurious silence as they journey to their destination.

Special pink leather fabrics and thread were used in the creation of this bespoke vehicle:

“When I received the call from Chris Evans to support FAB1 Million, we immediately sprang into action,” said Jolyon Nash, Sales and Marketing Director. “It’s taken countless hours to create such a special car but every minute spent is absolutely worth it for such a valuable cause. We wish the project every success.”

The project is set to launch on Thursday 18 April with a star-studded point to point drive in FAB1 from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

*What does a puppet have to do with this?
The Original FAB 1, and its later incarnations, is a pink six-wheeled car from Thunderbirds and its three film adaptations. The car was owned by character Lady Penelope and driven by Aloysius "Nosey" Parker.

above: models of the Fab 1 cars driven by puppets in the TV series Thunderbirds

The Chris Evans-inspired replica "Parker" puppet:

A limited edition run of hand made First Generation copies of the puppet and his FAB 1 Driver's Seat are for sale. Signed and numbered by artist and puppet sculptor Duncan Willis of Superproreplication, a substantial donation from each puppet sold is going to Chris Evans' FAB 1 Million charity in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

above: Chris Evans (Parker) Mary Berry (Lady Penelope) as the fictional characters from the puppet TV series Thunderbirds with a new Fab 1 Rolls Royce for Breast Cancer Awareness

You can also donate £5 to Breast Cancer Care by texting FAB to 83222 and enter the draw to win a ride in FAB1 for a day.

** Supporters outside the UK can donate by visiting FAB 1's Just Giving page at www.justgiving.co.uk/fab1million

Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. Every year more and more people need our support. You can help us be here for every one of them. Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.