AMC's hit series The Walking Dead holds about as many fans as hordes of flesh-eating zombies in its post-apocalyptic world. And when you have as many viewers as that, product placement within episodes is likely to hit a chord with viewers and, with some level of probability, have an impact on sales of said product.
Last night's episode (Season 3, Episode 5: "Say the Word") showed eager viewers the thirst that the survivors in Woodbury have for blood sport -- and for beer.
While the Governor may enjoy his whiskey, his choice of beer for the festivities cannot be overlooked by craft beer lovers -- and especially lovers of Georgia craft beer. Early in the episode, when Michonne sneaks into the Governor's house to retrieve her sword, the Governor and his men come in to restock on refreshments, and their choice of beer is definitely worth noting: A case of SweetWater Brewing Company's Georgia Brown, and a case of Red Brick Brewing Company's Hoplanta IPA.
This was no subliminal insertion, certainly -- not like the SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale and Georgia Brown signs hanging on the wall in the background of the bar in Season 2, or the Wild Heaven Craft Beers table toppers in that same bar. These cases were in your face, taking up precious screen time, so much so that even Time Entertainment made note of it in their recap of the episode. And now millions of beer lovers from across the country are likely wondering where they can get their hands on post-apocalyptic brew worth drinking in celebration of survival.
To find SweetWater's beers, Walking Dead fans will have to travel to Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or, of course, Georgia. To get their hands on Red Brick beer, viewers will have to make their way to any of those same states, with the addition of Mississippi. For a list of SweetWater's distributors, click here. For Red Brick's distributors, check their site here.
Walking Dead fans in the Augusta area who are looking for Georgia Brown or Hoplanta to celebrate their own continued living existence, you can find them available in six-packs at most bottle shops and grocery stores. On tap, you can find Georgia Brown at Carolina Ale House, The Pizza Joint - Evans, and newly-opened The Whiskey Bar. If you want draft Hoplanta, you'll need to make your way downtown to Stillwater Taproom.
And as a quick disclaimer: pit fighting amidst chained zombies is strongly discouraged. Enjoy your Georgia craft beer responsibly.
