German pioneer craft beer brewery CREW Republic proudly announces their partnership with Iron Maiden’s world famous Trooper beer and presents the launch of their very own TROOPER brew: PROGRESSIVE LAGER in May 2023 – timed for the start of the band’s THE FUTURE PAST TOUR throughout Europe from May to August & to celebrate 7 sold out shows and festival appearances in Germany.
It’s a partnership that couldn’t be more suitable. For more than four decades now, Iron Maiden has been one of the most popular, influential and uncompromising bands in the world. The band’s award-winning Trooper beer, inspired by the band’s 1983 song “The Trooper” and developed by lead singer Bruce Dickinson, has long been a great international success, having sold well over 35 million pints since its original launch back in May 2013. With CREW Republic, Iron Maiden have found a young, high-quality, craft beer partner to establish TROOPER PROGRESSIVE LAGER. Crew Republic’s “Drunken Sailor IPA” scored the title “World’s Best IPA” at the World Beer Awards 2020 and their reputation for brewing excellence caught the eye of Bruce Dickinson who set them a challenge to make a unique, award winning, Lager. They accepted.
CREW Republic founders Mario Hanel and Timm Schnigula dared to oppose the accepted mainstream when they decided to take the step to brew pioneering craft beers with the twist of German attentiveness and quality through the traditional German Reinheitsgebot. They were, in fact, leading the revolution. They explain: “With our incredibly passionate CREW behind us (consumers, employees, dealers and suppliers), we are all working on a better world of beers, creating something new in the midst of the traditional, mainstream German beer environment, something modern and more creative. We are excited and grateful to have the chance to work with Iron Maiden on one of the world’s most popular beer brands and contribute to it in our own, unique way.
With TROOPER PROGRESSIVE LAGER, we once more resist the mainstream. It’s our way to rebel against the status quo of basic, washed-out lagers. This one is special and just how a lager should be: distinctive, hoppy, fresh and exciting. Just how Bruce wanted it! Maiden have never been bigger than they are in Germany right now as top of the charts albums and sold out shows attest and to accept this challenge from them to make a special beer for their fans all over Germany was something we just couldn’t resist”
CREW Republic’s logo, The Hop Grenade, now sits in Eddie’s hand on the packaging and stands for their passion for hops and is their seal for their ultimate claim: Brewing Awesomeness. The result: The first German Trooper beer is a truly exciting 5.0% alcohol lager in a golden bright yellow, combining accentuated bitterness and an intense hop aroma with light citrus notes; strictly following the German Reinheitsgebot.
On the collaborative project and the resulting brew, Maiden frontman and , yes, global beer expert, Bruce Dickinson adds: “This has been a fun process to be a part of with Timm, Mario & the whole Crew Republic Team who have been so cool and ambitious right from the start. I think we have brewed an epic lager with all the characteristics a great one should have. It’s fresh, bold and distinctive in aroma and taste and I know that are fans will love it. I look forward to sharing it with them as we begin our European shows this year and our sold out shows across their country. Prost, as they say…!”
TROOPER PROGRESSIVE LAGER will be available in 4-pack cans all over Germany and online at www.crewrepublic.de from May 2023.
