October 4th, 2026 - A Couple of Troopers

 

Hey there metal maniacs!  Happy Sunday!  How about a double dose of Eddie to end the weekend the right way?  That's right... the Meista is here with Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" Maxi Single and a Trooper West Coast IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company!!   Hell yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Iron Maiden
• Title: "The Trooper" Maxi Single
• Recorded: 1983
• Release date: June 20th, 1983 (9th single released by Iron Maiden)
• Record company: EMI 
• Production: Martin Birch
• Album cover art: Derek Riggs 
• Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (lead vocals), Steve Harris (bass guitar), Nicko McBrain (drums), Dave Murray (guitars), and Adrian Smith (guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal
• Sound: Fast-paced and characterized by galloping bass work, soaring guitars, thunderous drums, and Dickinson's explosive vocals, "The Trooper" is not only definitive Maiden, but definitive early '80s metal in general!  And the cover of Jethro Tull's "Cross-Eyed Mary" is excellent!
• Major themes: Based on the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, themes on "The Trooper" include war, violence, death, history, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "The Trooper"
2. "Cross-Eyed Mary" (Jethro Tull cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California)
• Website: http://www.lagunitas.com/
• Brew: Trooper West Coast IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA) 
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.6%
• Pour: The Trooper West Coast IPA pours a fairly clear, bright golden-yellow hue with bright white, frothy, 1-finger head with great retention and lots of sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is nice blend of citrusy, herbal, and dank aromas.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, wet pine, herbal tea, and soft toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Trooper West Coast IPA follows the nose with lots of hop and more subtle malt flavors.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, toasted biscuit, iced tea, and soft caramel/toffee. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp and slightly oily with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: Visually and theoretically speaking, this pairing is obvious.  And coming in at only 6.6% ABV, you can through back a few of these crisp and hoppy Trooper West Coat IPAs whilst pumping your fist and banging your head to the might and brilliance that is Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" Maxi Singl!!

UP THE IRONS!!!  Cheers!!