I am delighted to announce that I will be working with a local brewery, Fownes, to create a special limited-edition real ale to celebrate the publication of Mageborn.
Next month I will taking a trip to Fownes Brewery, based in Gornal, Dudley, to help them brew and bottle a special beer ahead of October’s launch. I have been a long term fan of real ale (there are even a few reviews on this website) and wanted to do something special to celebrate the start of this second trilogy.
A few months ago I paid Fownes brewery a visit to discuss my cunning plan. Over a cup of tea (it was before midday) I found I had a lot in common with brothers Tom and James Fownes, the brewers, including a love of fantasy books, comics, the animated version of Hobbit from years ago, Jackson and Livingstone fighting fantasy novels and, of course, real ale. My favourite type of ale are typically dark beers and porters, which they also like to brew, so it sounded like a match made in heaven!
As a result of the brothers common interests the brewery and all of their ales are fantasy-themed. Just look at the gorgeous artwork they have on their beers!
We actually tried to sort out a real ale a while ago, and for those with keen eyes, the brothers have a cameo in Bloodmage. But at the time I was living in another part of the country and it was more difficult to coordinate. Now that I’m in the West Midlands it was very easy for me to pop over to chat it through.
So, I will provide more info on the real ale, such as where and when it will be available once I’ve brewed it, but by the time Mageborn comes out in October, it will be ready, if not before!
I also hope to have some bottles with me at both Mageborn signing events in early October in Birmingham and London. Fingers crossed.
Stephen Aryan 