Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson plans more Trooper beers

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has begun plans to develop new beers following the runaway success of Trooper.

Dickinson launched the Iron Maiden-themed beer Trooper in collaboration with Robinsons brewery in 2013 and it has now sold more than five million pints worldwide.

Speaking to the Publican's Morning Advertiser at the Great British Beer Festival last week, Dickinson said that plans were underway for new brews.

"We may develop some more beers in the future and I’ve got a couple in mind but we’re quite away from making any decisions yet. The key thing is that they will be under the umbrella of Trooper and not Iron Maiden," he said.

"Trooper has taken on a life of its own and it’s becoming established as a go-to beer. People drink it because they like the beer, not because they are Maiden fans."

'Reconnect'

Dickinson also called on drinkers to reconnect with pubs.

He said that he was dismayed at the increase in the closure rate of pubs in the UK, but feels those that are shutting could do more to prolong their lifespan.

“For all the pubs that are shutting, certainly on the outskirts of London, there are less and less that I’m interested in going into because they don’t feel like pubs anymore,” said the rocker.

“I think the problem is that they don’t realise that by excluding people who just like drinking beer and don’t want to drink an endless row of tequila shots then their pub will get a longer lifespan.

“It will be more of a slow burning fuse and you won’t get the big spikes on Friday and Saturday nights but you will build up a clientele and a loyalty. The customers will also build up a loyalty to the landlord. If you go into some pubs now and ask who is the landlord I guarantee hardly anybody will know.

“We need to return pubs to being personal.”