VALKYRIE

The Valkyrie Brewing Co. brew for Gods and mortals. The Christchurch-based brewery first released their beers in 2011. The name, the Valkyries, in Scandinavian legends translated as Choosers of the Slain. They appeared as blonde-haired, fair-skinned, blue-eyed maidens who dressed in scarlet corsets and, in some tales, had wings of swan feathers enabling them to fly.

They carried out the will of Odin (a God in Scandinavian legends and ruler of Asgard) who determined the victors of battle and course of war. The primary task of the Valkyries was to select the bravest of those who were slain in battle (known in legends as the Einherjar), collect their souls and escort them to Valhalla (Hall of the Slain). The Valkyries were also known as Mead Maidens. Aptly named, Valkyrie Brewing Co was created by Wendy Roigard a female brewer of Scandinavian descent.