Iron Maiden brew up 3rd Trooper beer

Iron Maiden will release the third variant of their Trooper beer in September, they’ve announced.

Trooper Red ’n’ Black is inspired by the song The Red And The Black from latest album The Book Of Souls. It’s a rich porter that looks black but glows red when lit up, and clocks in at 6.8%ABV in a bottle, or 5.8%ABV from a cask.

It follows the original Trooper, launched in 2014, and the stronger 666 edition that arrived in 2015.

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson once again collaborated with Robinsons Brewery head brewer Martyn Weeks to create the recipe. Brands manager John Robinson says: “Trooper Red ’n’ Black uses a blend of chocolate and crystal malts, which help give the beer a roasted malt and caramel backbone.

“With millions of pints sold in 55 countries, Trooper remains a phenomenal success. This year we’re happy to be releasing another limited-edition beer that broadens the Trooper range in an ever-evolving, vibrant market.”

Full details will be revealed in due course.

Meanwhile, Iron Maiden’s Ed Force One plane is set to return to service after an accident in Chile earlier this month.

Two of its four engines needed replacing following the incident in which two airport staff were injured. But the Boeing 747 will return to service today (March 22).

Dickinson, who’s piloting the vehicle as well as fronting the band, says: “The speed and thoroughness of this incredibly complex operation was stunning, and we are so very pleased to get our plane back.”

The band’s Book Of Souls world tour continues, with dates across the world until August, including a headline spot at this year’s Download festival at Donington.

Iron Maiden prepare epic Record Store Day release

Iron Maiden The Book Of Souls world tour

Mar 22: Brasilia Nilson Nelson Arena, Brazil
Mar 24: Fortaleza Ginasio Olimpico, Brazil
Mar 26: Sao Paulo Allianz Parque, Brazil
Mar 30: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Apr 01: Montreal Bell Centre, QC
Apr 03: Toronto Air Canada Center, ON
Apr 05: Detroit Palace of Auburn Hills, MI
Apr 06: Chicago United Center, IL
Apr 08: Edmonton Rexall Place, AB
Apr 10: Vancouver Rogers Arena, B
Apr 11: Tacoma Dome, WA
Apr 13: Denver Pepsi Center, CO
Apr 15: Los Angeles Forum, CA
Apr 16: LA Forum, CA
Apr 20: Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan
Apr 21: Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan
Apr 24: Beijing LeSports Center, China
Apr 26: Shanghai Mercedes Benz Arena, China
Apr 29: Christchurch Horncastle Arena, New Zealand
May 01: Aucklane Vector Arena, New Zealand
May 04: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
May 06: Sydney Allphones Arena, Australia
May 09: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
May 12: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Australia
May 14: Perth Arena, Australia
May 18: Cape Town Grand Arena, South Africa
May 21: Johannesburg Carnival City Festival Lawns, South Africa
May 27: Dortmund Rock Im Revier Festival, Germany
May 29: Munich Rockavaria Festival, Germany
May 31: Berlin The Waldbuehne, Germany
Jun 03: Lucerne Sonisphere Allmend Rockt, Switzerland
Jun 05: Rock In Vienna Festival, Austria
Jun 08: Arnhem Gelredome, Netherlands
Jun 10: Paris Download Festival, France
Jun 12: Donington Download Festival, UK
Jun 15: Oslo Telenor Arena, Norway
Jun 17: Gothenburg Ullevi Stadium, Sweden
Jun 19: Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
Jun 21: Herning Jyske Bank Boxen, Denmark
Jun 23: Kaunas Zalgirio Arena, Lithuania
Jun 25: Moscow Olimpiyskiy, Russia
Jun 29: Hameenlinna Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto, Finland
Jul 01: Sopron Volt Festival, Hungary
Jul 03:Wroclaw Stadium, Poland
Jul 05: Prague Eden Arena, Czech Republic
Jul 06: Zilina Airport, Slovakia
Jul 09: Viveiro Resurrection Festival, Spain
Jul 11: Lisbon MEO Arena, Portugal
Jul 13: Madrid Barclaycard Center, Spain
Jul 16: Barcelona Rock Fest
Jul 22: Milan Mediolanum Forum, Italy
Jul 24: Rome Rock in Rome Sonisphere, Italy
Jul 26: trieste Piazza dell’Unita D’Italia, Italy
Jul 27: Split Spaladium Arena, Croatia
Aug 02: Esch-sur-Alzette Rockhal, Luxembourg
Aug 04: Wacken Open Air, Germany

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.