Lead singer of British rock legends IRON MAIDEN will be crowning one very special beer the best in Britain at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) in London tomorrow.
The Champion Beer of Britain competition, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is the top prize in British beer and the culmination of twelve months worth of local, regional and now national competition, with the final beers being judged by a panel of beer experts, journalists and CAMRA representatives in the final tomorrow (Tuesday 12th of August), before the winner is announced at 3pm. This year, the announcement of the much-coveted award will be made by
multi-tasking real ale enthusiast, rocker & brewer Bruce Dickinson.
“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
“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.” Colin Valentine, CAMRA Chairman
Iron Maiden’s ‘TROOPER’ ale has proved hugely popular and will certainly be a must-try for many ale enthusiasts at this year’s festival.
Bruce explains, “When asked if we wanted to enter into a partnership with the respected Robinsons Brewery to design and brew a real ale for ourselves and our fans, we leapt at the chance. What has been particularly encouraging, over and above the international sales success and even over the tremendous reaction from our fans, is how it has been so warmly welcomed by serious beer aficionados outside the Iron Maiden community. As a dedicated ale drinker myself, I was very aware of the many great beers available and the extremely high level of competition we faced. 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.”
TROOPER is already distributed in 38 countries and has sold 5 million pints Worldwide in its first year. Its continued global expansion, allied with the expanded capacity and capabilities of a new brew house, has seen Robinsons Brewery quadruple their export sales and engage a whole army of new beer fans.
The Great British Beer Festival is CAMRA’s flagship event and will see over 55,000 thirsty beer lovers attend the 5 day event, which will feature over 900 different real ales, ciders, perries and international beers across a total of 29 different bars. Iron Maiden’s TROOPER beer will be available while stocks last on the ‘Stilt Walker’ Bar (B10).
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Notes to Editors:
Bruce has extra reason to be proud this month as TROOPER has just been awarded gold in the British Bottlers’ Institute Competition 2014. With Iron Maiden, Bruce has every music accolade under his belt worth having, but this is their first in the brewing industry and the fact that it was awarded based on a blind tasting, which saw TROOPER unanimously voted best in class on the prestigious panel, makes this victory all the more impressive.
For further information on TROOPER please contact: John Robinson jer@frederic-robinson.co.uk
For more information:
CAMRA Great British Beer Festival Press Office, 020 7598 6524
CAMRA Press Office on 01727 798 443 (prior to Sunday)
Alternatively email press@camra.org.uk – or contact the Press Manager Neil Walker directly on 07939 425 471 or by emailing neil.walker@camra.org.uk
The Great British Beer Festival will also have a fully functioning Press Office including a Radio studio with ISDN2 plus Broadcast quality video facilities. For further information contact Press Manager Neil Walker above.