Game of Thrones Hand of The Queen Barleywine

Review Date 5/21/2025  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Barleywine   Brewery: Ommegang   Country: USA   State: New York   $ Per OZ: $.51 (B)   ABV: 10.7%

So, I continue to rummage through my beer stash and as I do, I continue to find some gems. That’s what I did about a month ago when I came across a bottle of Ommegang Game of Thrones Hand of the Queen Barleywine. I had no idea how old this was, but upon further inspection the label indicated it was from 2018. I thought it was older than that. Barleywines generally hold up well with age, so I had high hopes. I was not disappointed.

Hand of the Queen was sold in 750 ML capped, not corked bottles. I did not keep mine refrigerated, placing in one of my beer fridges maybe a week before I drank it. Ommegang says:

We're excited to announce that our new Game of Thrones-inspired Royal Reserve Collection launches in 2018! The first of four beers in the collection is Hand of the Queen, a big, bold barleywine brewed for Tyrion Lannister. It will be available only in the United States beginning in April……

Brewery Ommegang and HBO announce launch of Game of Thrones®-inspired Royal Reserve Collection this spring….As Game of Thrones approaches its final season, Brewery Ommegang and HBO Global Licensing are excited to announce the launch of the Royal Reserve Collection, a collectible series of four special, limited release beers, each designed and brewed as an homage to one of four epic figures in the battle for the Seven Kingdoms….

The first beer in the series is Hand of the Queen, a beer brewed for Tyrion Lannister. As one who knows a great many things, Tyrion knows and loves wine above all else, so Hand of the Queen is a big, bold barleywine, a beer fit for those who seek knowledge and truth, both great and small. Available throughout Ommegang’s distribution network beginning in April, Hand of the Queen will be offered both on draft and in 750ml bottles. The suggested retail price for a bottle is $12.99.

Brewed with a complex blend of specialty malts and carefully-selected old-world hops, Hand of the Queen is a rich, full-bodied version of a classic barleywine….

This is the sixth Game of Thrones beer from Ommegang that I have enjoyed. The others were:

Game of Thrones Fire and Blood Red Ale

Game of Thrones Mother of Dragons Smoked Porter and Kriek Blend

Game of Thrones Take the Black Stout

Game of Thrones Three Eyed Raven Dark Saison

Game of Thrones Valar Morghulis Dubbel

My bottle is labeled at 10.7% alcohol by volume and I seem to recall paying about the $12.99 for it that Ommegang mentions.

Ommegang Game of Thrones Hand of the Queen Barleywine pours to a dark caramel color with a thick creamy eggshell head and a nose of sweet malt, molasses, and dark fruity raisin. Taking a sip, the beer is medium to full in body, perhaps a tad less than I expect for a barleywine, but only a tad. The flavors here, though, are amazing. Toasted malts, caramel, dark fruity raisin, candied citrus fruits, brown sugar, spice cake, plum pudding, and surprisingly fresh cracked malt. Finishes warming with alcohol and a hint of sweetness. Reminds me of 1084, just magnificent. 5.

Ommegang Game of Thrones Hand of the Queen Barleywine. 2018 bottle. Nose of sweet malt, molasses, and dark fruity raisin. Taking a sip, the beer is medium to full in body, perhaps a tad less than I expect for a barleywine, but only a tad. The flavors here, though, are amazing. Toasted malts, caramel, dark fruity raisin, candied citrus fruits, brown sugar, subtle chocolate as it warms, and surprisingly fresh cracked malt. The beer finishes warming with alcohol and a hint of sweetness. It reminds me of old classics Ipswich 1084 and Belle Dock barleywine from the 90s for those that remember them.

My bottle was very well carbonated throughout.  I wish I had another one to age longer. I did not want the bottle to end. Just magnificent, it was the perfect beer for me. Because like Tyrion, I drink, and I know things.. 

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??