The annual Champion Beer of Britain competition, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (BBPA), judges the bitters, ales, milds, porters and stouts that British breweries have to offer.
The winners are chosen following one year worth of judging on a local, regional and national level, with the final beers being judged by a panel of beer experts, journalists and CAMRA representatives.
The overall winner will be announced by rocker and real ale enthusiast Dickinson, who launched his own beer with Robinsons Brewery last year, tomorrow afternoon at Olympia, London.
'Hugely proud'
CAMRA chairman Colin Valentine said: “CAMRA are hugely proud to have Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden announcing the winner of the Champion Beer of Britain competition. He is a true real ale lover and has brewed his own beer with Robinsons Brewery called Trooper which we are going to be selling at the festival.”
He added: “The unique taste of Trooper has not only captured Iron Maiden’s fan-base, it is also attracting new customers to the beer category who are now trying real ale for the very first time (and then coming back for a second, third, maybe fourth pint as a result). Trooper is providing a great profile for British beer, not only in the UK, but all around the world.”
Dickinson said: “For Trooper to have grabbed people’s imagination and taste buds right from the very start has given us all a real sense of satisfaction and I am much looking forward to spending time at Olympia with fellow real ale enthusiasts. I am also very proud to be asked to announce the Champion Beer of Britain award; especially amongst such great company.”
More than 55,000 beer lovers are expected to attend the Great British Beer Festival, which will feature over 900 different real ales, ciders, perries and international beers across 29 different bars over the five days.
Iron Maiden’s Trooper beer will be available while stocks last on the ‘Stilt Walker’ Bar (B10).