From the small screen to the … bar? Though television shows might seem like an unlikely source of inspiration for alcoholic drinks, there are actually quite a few libations that have been influenced by critically acclaimed TV comedies and dramas.
For example, The Walking Dead has spawned numerous wines, beers and other alcoholic beverages since premiering on AMC in October 2010. However, the spirit with the strongest ties to the post-apocalyptic drama debuted in October 2019. Known as The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the drink was created in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, the company TWD comic book creator Robert Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and global liquor giant Diageo.
Furthermore, the limited-edition whiskey has several connections to the extended Walking Dead universe. For example, the beverage is distilled, aged and bottled in Kentucky, where Kirkman was born and where the comic was initially set. “It’s also very true to the roots and the spirit in what we do in The Walking Dead and that very American, do-it-yourself, living-off-your-land approach,” Alpert said in September 2019.
There is perhaps no finer example of life imitating art in this arena then Schraderbräu. As Breaking Bad fans may know, that’s the name of the homebrew created by Hank Schrader, protagonist Walter White’s brother-in-law. On the AMC drama, Hank went all out in an effort to make his creation look and taste legitimate (heck, he even stuck official-looking Schraderbräu labels on some beer bottles) and now fans of the show and beer drinkers across the country can buy some of their very own.
The beer is a joint effort between actor Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank, a brewing company he established called Rust Belt Brewing and Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “The show gave us some great hints as to what Schraderbräu should actually be,” Norris told Food & Wine in March 2019, shortly before the beer went on sale. “Obviously the name lends itself to a German lager, and we wanted the ABV and flavor profile to reflect Hank’s persona on the show. There will be some fun, hidden items, all over the bottle that even the most diehard Breaking Bad fans may not be able to find.”
Norris, who has described the beer as “silky perfection” on social media, added: “In our minds, this is the exact beer Hank brewed on the show, without the caps popping off, of course!”
Scroll down to see more hit TV shows that have inspired their own liquor lines!
From the small screen to the … bar? Though television shows might seem like an unlikely source of inspiration for alcoholic drinks, there are actually quite a few libations that have been influenced by critically acclaimed TV comedies and dramas.
For example, The Walking Dead has spawned numerous wines, beers and other alcoholic beverages since premiering on AMC in October 2010. However, the spirit with the strongest ties to the post-apocalyptic drama debuted in October 2019. Known as The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the drink was created in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, the company TWD comic book creator Robert Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and global liquor giant Diageo.
Furthermore, the limited-edition whiskey has several connections to the extended Walking Dead universe. For example, the beverage is distilled, aged and bottled in Kentucky, where Kirkman was born and where the comic was initially set. “It’s also very true to the roots and the spirit in what we do in The Walking Dead and that very American, do-it-yourself, living-off-your-land approach,” Alpert said in September 2019.
There is perhaps no finer example of life imitating art in this arena then Schraderbräu. As Breaking Bad fans may know, that’s the name of the homebrew created by Hank Schrader, protagonist Walter White’s brother-in-law. On the AMC drama, Hank went all out in an effort to make his creation look and taste legitimate (heck, he even stuck official-looking Schraderbräu labels on some beer bottles) and now fans of the show and beer drinkers across the country can buy some of their very own.
The beer is a joint effort between actor Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank, a brewing company he established called Rust Belt Brewing and Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “The show gave us some great hints as to what Schraderbräu should actually be,” Norris told Food & Wine in March 2019, shortly before the beer went on sale. “Obviously the name lends itself to a German lager, and we wanted the ABV and flavor profile to reflect Hank’s persona on the show. There will be some fun, hidden items, all over the bottle that even the most diehard Breaking Bad fans may not be able to find.”
Norris, who has described the beer as “silky perfection” on social media, added: “In our minds, this is the exact beer Hank brewed on the show, without the caps popping off, of course!”
Scroll down to see more hit TV shows that have inspired their own liquor lines!
Game of Thrones
Alcoholic beverage company Diageo and HBO teamed up in 2018 to create eight whiskeys inspired by the beloved drama. In December of 2019, the final limited-edition bottle, known as Six Kingdoms - Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, hit shelves. It’s said to be bold and smooth with notes of vanilla and spice, but that’s not all. The whiskey’s Easter egg-filled label features a Three-Eyed Raven for King Bran.
The Walking Dead
The post-apocalyptic drama has inspired numerous beers, wines and other spirits, but comic book creator Robert Kirkman finally got behind some of the TWD-inspired booze in October 2019 with the release of The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The limited-edition whiskey is a collaboration between Skybound Entertainment, the company Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and Diageo. The bottle's label is loaded with inside references including markers of the story's four factions – Survivors, Saviors, Hilltop or The Kingdom – and features a cork carrying a signature of authenticity from Rick Grimes, the character who starred in the comic and the TV series.
From the small screen to the … bar? Though television shows might seem like an unlikely source of inspiration for alcoholic drinks, there are actually quite a few libations that have been influenced by critically acclaimed TV comedies and dramas.
For example, The Walking Dead has spawned numerous wines, beers and other alcoholic beverages since premiering on AMC in October 2010. However, the spirit with the strongest ties to the post-apocalyptic drama debuted in October 2019. Known as The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the drink was created in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, the company TWD comic book creator Robert Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and global liquor giant Diageo.
Furthermore, the limited-edition whiskey has several connections to the extended Walking Dead universe. For example, the beverage is distilled, aged and bottled in Kentucky, where Kirkman was born and where the comic was initially set. “It’s also very true to the roots and the spirit in what we do in The Walking Dead and that very American, do-it-yourself, living-off-your-land approach,” Alpert said in September 2019.
There is perhaps no finer example of life imitating art in this arena then Schraderbräu. As Breaking Bad fans may know, that’s the name of the homebrew created by Hank Schrader, protagonist Walter White’s brother-in-law. On the AMC drama, Hank went all out in an effort to make his creation look and taste legitimate (heck, he even stuck official-looking Schraderbräu labels on some beer bottles) and now fans of the show and beer drinkers across the country can buy some of their very own.
The beer is a joint effort between actor Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank, a brewing company he established called Rust Belt Brewing and Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “The show gave us some great hints as to what Schraderbräu should actually be,” Norris told Food & Wine in March 2019, shortly before the beer went on sale. “Obviously the name lends itself to a German lager, and we wanted the ABV and flavor profile to reflect Hank’s persona on the show. There will be some fun, hidden items, all over the bottle that even the most diehard Breaking Bad fans may not be able to find.”
Norris, who has described the beer as “silky perfection” on social media, added: “In our minds, this is the exact beer Hank brewed on the show, without the caps popping off, of course!”
Scroll down to see more hit TV shows that have inspired their own liquor lines!
Game of Thrones
Alcoholic beverage company Diageo and HBO teamed up in 2018 to create eight whiskeys inspired by the beloved drama. In December of 2019, the final limited-edition bottle, known as Six Kingdoms - Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, hit shelves. It’s said to be bold and smooth with notes of vanilla and spice, but that’s not all. The whiskey’s Easter egg-filled label features a Three-Eyed Raven for King Bran.
The Walking Dead
The post-apocalyptic drama has inspired numerous beers, wines and other spirits, but comic book creator Robert Kirkman finally got behind some of the TWD-inspired booze in October 2019 with the release of The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The limited-edition whiskey is a collaboration between Skybound Entertainment, the company Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and Diageo. The bottle's label is loaded with inside references including markers of the story's four factions – Survivors, Saviors, Hilltop or The Kingdom – and features a cork carrying a signature of authenticity from Rick Grimes, the character who starred in the comic and the TV series.
Downton Abbey
The “real” Downton Abbey — a.k.a Highclere Castle — was more than just an inspiration for Highclere Castle gin, which debuted in September 2019 just as the Downton Abbey feature film hit theaters. In fact, the super-premium London Dry Gin is made with botanicals from the estate’s herb gardens as well as Highclere’s acclaimed homegrown oats. Furthermore, the spirit comes in a custom glass bottle, designed and manufactured in England, which channels the castle and its architect, Sir Charles Barry. The vessel’s shape invokes the symbol of the main tower at Highclere, while the deep purple glass recognizes the Carnarvon family’s heritage and captures the brand’s premium qualities.
Saturday Night Live
The beloved sketch comedy show got its own wine collection in November 2017, courtesy of Lot18. Each of the four wines were inspired by some of the long-running show’s most popular characters, including Debbie Downer and Stefon.
Outlander
The Starz hit was the inspiration for a six-bottle wine collection that debuted in October 2017. The blends were modeled after the time-traveling drama’s two main characters — Claire and Jamie — and each bottle featured a unique label and wine designed to "highlight the various facets and personalities" of the duo. Three of the wines were devoted to Claire's monikers (Sassenach, Mo Nighean Donn, and La Dame Blanche) and the remaining three were dedicated to Jamie's (Red Jamie, Mac Dubh, and A. Malcolm).
Breaking Bad
Hank Schrader’s fictional homebrew on the show, Schraderbräu, made the official transition from small screen to store in late 2019. Actor Dean Norris, who portrayed Hank, set up a company called Rust Belt Brewing that signed a licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to brew a Schraderbräu German-style lager at the Figueroa Mountain Brewing facilities in Buellton, California. The beer, which is currently on sale, is “truly silky perfection,” according to Norris.
The Handmaid’s Tale
A wine inspired by the Hulu drama that’s based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name debuted in August 2018. Its time on the market was short-lived, however, as consumers blasted MGM for releasing booze inspired by a show that features the subjugation of women and non-consensual relationships. The collection, which included two reds in tribute to Elisabeth Moss and Alexis Bledel‘s characters, Offred and Ofglen, and a white wine for Yvonne Strahovski‘s Serena Joy, was pulled less than a day after its release following intense backlash.
