Iron Maiden Teams Up With Lagunitas for a New IPA to Celebrate the Band's 50th Anniversary

Celebrity alcohol collaborations are everywhere these days. From spirits backed by Hollywood stars to beers tied to sports teams and musicians, consumers have no shortage of options when it comes to drinks carrying a famous name.

But this partnership goes beyond just slapping a logo on a can. Along with launching a limited-edition, band-collaborated IPA, Iron Maiden and Lagunitas are giving one fan the chance to hit the road as the brand's first-ever Beer Roadie, turning the collaboration into an experience rather than just another product release.

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The legendary heavy metal band is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 with its Run for Your Lives World Tour, marking five decades since bassist Steve Harris founded the group in 1975. In that time, Iron Maiden has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, played more than 2,500 shows across dozens of countries, and built one of the most devoted fan bases in music. The band's mascot, Eddie, has become nearly as recognizable as the musicians themselves, appearing on album covers, merchandise, and stage sets for generations of fans.

The group has also spent more than a decade building its Trooper beer brand. First launched in 2013, Trooper has grown into an international beer lineup that has sold more than 45 million pints worldwide.

Now, Iron Maiden is teaming up with Lagunitas Brewing Company for the next evolution of the brand: a new Trooper West Coast IPA created specifically for American beer drinkers, and "brewed for loud nights," according to the release. While the beer itself is likely to attract attention from both craft beer enthusiasts and longtime Maiden fans, the companies are also going beyond a typical product launch with fan experiences tied directly to the band's upcoming U.S. tour.

Brewing Beer for More Than a Decade

While the new partnership with Lagunitas may introduce Trooper to many American craft beer fans for the first time, this isn't Iron Maiden's first venture into the beer world.

The band's Trooper beer brand launched in 2013 and has grown into an international lineup of brews sold around the globe. Today, Trooper beers are currently produced in England, Germany, Brazil, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and now the United States.

The brand has also proven remarkably successful for a musician-backed beverage. As Trooper enters its 14th year on the market, sales are approaching 50 million pints sold worldwide, according to Lagunitas. That longevity has helped set it apart from many celebrity drinks that arrive with plenty of fanfare but struggle to build a lasting audience.

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The Lagunitas Trooper West Coast IPA

According to Lagunitas, the new Trooper West Coast IPA was born from a collaboration between Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson and Lagunitas Brewmaster Jeremy Marshall.

The beer is designed as a modern expression of the classic West Coast IPA style, brewed with Krush hops, one of the newer hop varieties generating buzz among craft brewers. Lagunitas describes the beer as pungent, resinous, and packed with the hop-forward character that has made West Coast IPAs a favorite among beer drinkers for decades.

At 6.6% ABV, the brewery says the beer strikes a balance between bold flavor and drinkability, making it approachable for both dedicated hop lovers and casual craft beer fans.

"The challenge of an American beer has long been on top of my 'To Do' list," Dickinson said in a statement. "Lagunitas are a watchword for West Coast brewing excellence, and it has been a real highlight working with them on a Trooper taste for both coasts and all states in-between."

For Lagunitas, the partnership also feels like a natural extension of the brewery's long-standing connection to music. Through its Live at Lagunitas concert series and other artist collaborations, the brewery has consistently positioned itself at the intersection of craft beer and live music culture.

Why This Iron Maiden Beer Collaboration Stands Out

What makes this beer collaboration different from most is the way Lagunitas and Iron Maiden are introducing American fans to the experience.

To celebrate the launch, Lagunitas recently announced a nationwide search to find the band's Beer Roadie for its upcoming tour. The limited-time opportunity will give one lucky fan "a hands-on chance to learn about craft beer, connect with the community, and jump right into where great beer and great music meet," according to Hannah Dray, chief marketing officer at Lagunitas.

The chosen Beer Roadie will be educated on Lagunitas' Trooper West Coast IPA brewing process before taking that knowledge on the road to Eddie's Dive Bar-a pop-up pre-show event at select locations on the Run for Your Lives Tour.

Applicants can enter by submitting a 30-second video explaining why they would make the ideal Beer Roadie. Three finalists will be selected before one winner is chosen to receive training at Lagunitas headquarters and hit the road for select tour stops.

The contest helps transform the collaboration from a simple beer release into a broader fan experience, something that feels fitting for a band known for cultivating one of music's most passionate followings.

When and Where Fans Can Find It

Lagunitas says the beer will be available at select bars and taprooms, as well as in six-packs at participating retailers while supplies last.

Fans interested in learning more about the beer can visit Lagunitas' Trooper page, while those hoping to become the brewery's first Beer Roadie can submit their application through BeerRoadie.com. Entries for the contest are open through July 7.

With a new beer, a major anniversary tour, and a one-of-a-kind fan opportunity, Iron Maiden and Lagunitas are giving fans more than one reason to raise a glass this summer.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM.