July 29th, 2021 - No Prayer For The Dying Trooper

 

Good evening metal maniacs and beer freaks!  How about a double dose of Eddie tonight?  That's right... the Meista here rockin' the hell out to Iron Maiden's "No Prayer For The Dying" and throwing back an easy drinkin' Trooper Premium British Beer, an ale created by Iron Maiden and brewed by Robinson Brewery! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Iron Maiden
• Title: "No Prayer For The Dying"
• Recorded: June through September 1990 at Steve Harris' barn in Essex, England
• Release date: October 1st, 1990 (8th studio album released by Iron Maiden)
• Record company: EMI / Epic Records
• Production: Martin Birch
• Album cover art: Derek Riggs
• Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (lead vocals), Janick Gers (guitars), Steve Harris (bass guitar), Nicko McBrain (drums), and Dave Murray (guitars),
• Additional musicians: Michael Kenney (keyboards)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal
• Sound: Characterized by a more stripped down, straightforward approach, with "No Prayer For The Dying", Iron Maiden recorded an album more akin to the early days of the band's career.  The sound is a little angrier, a little grittier, but still highly energetic.  Dickinson even sings in a gruffer, raspier style as opposed to his usual more operatic style. 
• Major themes: Taking a more socio-political approach to lyrics, themes included modern warfare, religious exploitation, death, life, greed, lust, S&M, horror, freedom, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Tailgunner"
2. "Holy Smoke"
3. "No Prayer For The Dying"
4. "Public Enema Number One"
5. "Fates Warning"
6. "The Assassin"
7. "Run Silent Run Deep"
8. "Hooks In You"
9. "Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter"
10. "Mother Russia"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Robinson Brewery (Stockport, England)
• Website: robinsonsbrewery.com    
• Brew: Trooper Premium British Beer (with the "No Prayer For The Dying" bottle cap)
• Style: Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB) 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.7%
• Ingredients: Brewed with roasted malts along with Bobec, Goldings, and Cascade hops
• Pour: Trooper pours a clear, deep copper hue with a 1-finger white head.
• Nose: The nose is both malty and hoppy and slightly fruity with notes of freshly baked bread, roasted nuts, apple and a slight hint of lemon zest. 
• Taste: The Trooper is definitely a true English ale with a good balance of hops and malts and true "depth of character."  Flavors include bready malts, apple, black tea, lemon zest, and sweet caramel.  
• Mouthfeel: It is medium-bodied and moderately carbonated.  It is very smooth and easy drinking with a nice, clean and hoppy finish.
• Notes: Trooper Premium British Beer was not only inspired by Iron Maiden's song "The Trooper," but vocalist Bruce Dickinson played a major role in the development of this classic English ale.  "I'm a lifelong fan of traditional English ale; I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer. I have to say that I was very nervous: Robinsons are the only people I have had to audition for in 30 years. Their magic has been to create the alchemical wedding of flavour and texture that is TROOPER. I love it."

Overall pairing: Visually and theoretically speaking, this pairing is pretty obvious.  And coming in at only 4.7% ABV, you can through back a few of these easy drinking Troopers whilst pumping your fist and banging your head to the might and aggression that is Iron Maiden's "No Prayer For The Dying"!

Cheers and... UP THE IRONS!!!