Iron Maiden vs. AC/DC: may the best headbanging beer win

A couple of weeks ago Ear of Newt reported that Aussie earbusters AC/DC were coming out with their own brand of beer. Well, now another legendary metal act, Iron Maiden, has stepped into the swiggin' ring with its own wobbly pop: Trooper Ale.

Named after one of the band's rockingest tunes, the "premium" ale with an alcohol content of 4.7% will be made by Robinson Brewery and available in the U.K. and other territories starting this May.

“I’m a lifelong fan of traditional English ale,” said Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson while announcing the beer on the band's website today. “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," he added. "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.”

No word yet on whether original Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno will be called in to oversee the promotion of the band's lower-budget, 2.5% brew, Purgatory Lager.