Sales of Iron Maiden’s beer halted in Sweden due to controversial label design
Sales of Iron Maiden’s beer have been halted in Sweden due to concerns that regarding the design of the logo on the bottle’s label.
The band’s special cask ale, which is called Trooper, features their mascot Eddie the Head and is packaged with a similar logo to their 1983 single ‘The Trooper’, but according to Swedish publication Aftonbladet the Scandinavian country’s government-owned chain of liquor stores, Systembolaget, believe the design contravenes Sweden’s alcohol laws.
Systembolaget’s Therese Elmgren said: “There has been a discussion about the label. The alcohol law stipulates how it can look. We therefore don’t yet know when it can be launched.”
Despite the problems in Sweden, Iron Maiden’s brand of beer has proved to be a remarkably popular idea since its inception – last month, it was revealed that the Cheshire family brewer Robinsons, where the ale is being made, are having to work a six-day week to keep up with demand for the beverage. Reports claim that over 100 countries have applied to stock the drink and over 250,000 pints were pre-sold in the UK alone ahead of its release last week (May 9).
Speaking previously about the beer, which will be available at this year’s Download festival, where Maiden headline on June 15, frontman Bruce Dickinson said: “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.”
Source: NME
