ORKNEY ISLANDS, Scotland – On Thursday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia at P.O.P.E. (1501 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-755-5125) and again on Tuesday, January 29 at 6 p.m. in New York City at St. Andrew’s Restaurant & Bar (140 West 46th Street, 212-840-8413) Skull Splitter, the aromatic strong Scotch ale from Scotland’s Orkney Islands, will make its US debut on draft with raucous Viking Parties.Skull Splitter, named for the seventh Viking Earl of Orkney, has been brewed for 20 years in Scotland.

Guests will be among the first to taste the beer from the tap and pose for fun photos with a costumed Viking.  The most outrageous photo, posted to Instagram with the hashtag #skullsplitter, will win a prize from Skull Splitter which will include a pair of pint glasses and a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant hosting the event.

“This is the first time Skull Splitter has been available on draft in the United States, and we are celebrating with Viking photo parties!” says Norman Sinclair, managing director of Skull Splitter.  “Scotch ales and ‘Wee Heavys’ are perfect for wintertime drinking – full-bodied, high in alcohol and richly flavored, and Skull Splitter is one of the finest examples of the genre available in the world today,”

Skull Splitter takes its name from the nickname of Torfinn Hausakljuv, who served as earl of Orkney, Scotland around 950 A.D.  Like its namesake, the beer is powerful and strong, with a high ABV (8.5%) and rich, fruity, wine-like complexity on the palate, including fresh and dried fruits, warm exotic spices and light citrus notes.

In Philadelphia, the event will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Skull Splitter will be available on draught at P.O.P.E. and other fine bars in Philly, including Jose Pistola’s (263 South 15th Street), Bridgewater’s Pub (30th Street Station) and Old Eagle Tavern (175-177 Markle Street).

In New York, the event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Skull Splitter will be available on draught at St. Andrew’s and other fine bars in New York including Beer Authority (400 West 40th Street), The Ginger Man (11 East 36th Street) and Rattle N Hum (14 East 33rd Street).