Iron Maiden will begin selling their Greater Manchester Trooper Beer creation in a 500ml Tall Boy can in the US next month. Band vocalist Bruce Dickinson designed and developed the ale with chief brewer at Stockport family firm Robinsons, Martyn Weeks.

Watch an interview with Dickinson here.

The Trooper beer was launched in May 2013 and has already sold over five million pints, with almost half of it brewed for the export market in over 40 countries. 300,000 cans are expected to be distributed and sold across the US market starting in January 2015.

Dickinson said cans have advantages.

“Firstly cans are easier to recycle, require less packaging, get colder quicker and take up less space in your fridge. Secondly, cans don’t break or smash, meaning they can be taken to venues, sporting events, campgrounds, beaches, and music festivals, where glass is not typically allowed. Thirdly, aluminium cans are excellent protection against light and oxygen – beer’s biggest enemies, so your drink tastes fresher longer. Done right, they’re great for our beer.”

Dickinson added:

“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.”