Brewer and Manx farm create Iron Maiden pie

The brewer and the rock group Iron Maiden have a special presence in the Isle of Man, due to their continued sponsorship of Peter Hickman and the Smiths Racing Team for the 2018 TT motorcycle race.

The new partnership will highlight the newly launched sessionable golden ale Trooper Light Brigade. The product was created by Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson and Robinsons’ head brewer Martyn Weeks in support of Help For Heroes – the charity that aims to help the thousands of servicemen and women who live with complex physical and mental wounds and injuries.

Help For Heroes​

Help for Heroes met with Robinsons in the summer of 2017 to explore the possibility of launching a beer. Five years ago, Robinsons and Iron Maiden jointly launched Trooper beer, which Robinsons claims has now sold more than 20 million pints worldwide.

The ale’s name comes from Iron Maiden’s song The Trooper​, which is based on the 1854 Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War.

For each bottle of Light Brigade used in Ballakelly Farm pies, 5p will be donated to Help For Heroes. In addition to Trooper Light Brigade, the pies contain slow-cooked Manx steak.

‘Natural crossover’​

“Not only does this collaboration allow us to grow our presence in the area, but it’s also a good opportunity to introduce drinkers to Light Brigade and raise some money for Help For Heroes in the process,”​ said Ben Robinson, director of sales at Robinsons Brewery. “Let’s face it, there’s a great natural crossover of customers. Who doesn’t enjoy a pie and a pint?”​

Alan Teare, farmer at Ballakelly Farm, said: “When the idea was first discussed to use our meat with the new Light Brigade Ale to create a pie for the TT, we went on their website to read all about Robinsons. Although we are a tiny set-up in comparison, we put the same heart and soul into our meat as they do their ale.”​

The pies are available online at Ballakelly.Farm​ and will be sold at the Isle of Man TT grandstand in practice and race week.