Boy, have I got my work cut out for me. Way back in 2015 (where does the time go?) I tasted my first Iron Maiden beer from the Robinson's brewery of Stockport, Cheshire, England: Trooper Premium British Beer. I'll confess I am not really a fan of Iron Maiden, but I am a fan of beer, and Trooper Premium British Beer is a tasty brew indeed.
Fast forward to April of 2022, almost seven years later, and as I was browsing the virtual aisles of Craftshack.com, I noticed Robinson's Trooper Fear of the Dark, and I bought a bottle. I don't think I have ever seen these beers for sale in Georgia, and since I enjoyed the first one so much, I drank Fear the Dark shortly after it arrived.
Looking at the brewery website, I see there are a number of beers in this line besides the two I have already mentioned: Trooper IPA, Trooper Red 'N Black Porter, Trooper Sun and Steel, and Trooper 666. Like I said. I have my work cut out for me.
Robinson's Trooper Fear of the Dark has an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume
About Robinsons Brewery
Based in the heart of Stockport for over 185 years, owning a collection of around 250 pubs, inns and hotels across the North West and North Wales, Robinsons is one of the most respected names in British brewing and innkeeping.
Trooper Fear of the Dark in a Tetley's Brewing Glass
Tasting Notes
Robinson's Trooper Fear of the Dark pours to a dark black (but not opaque) color with a thick creamy tan head and a nose of chocolate pudding and roasted malt. A thick layer of Brussels Lace forms on the side of my glass and follows the liquid all the way to the bottom. Taking a sip, the beer is delightfully smooth and medium in body. It's roasty and chocolaty (the pudding again comes to mind but also bittersweet chocolate). A note of caramel is present as well, with a subtle buttery note. It's flinty and quite bitter at the last with grassy English hop aroma.
Value & Verdict
I paid $3.99 for my half liter bottle from Craftshack. That's less that the $6.99 a bottle Total Wine gets for it, though they do not have it in stock anywhere in Georgia.
I very much enjoyed this beautiful English stout. I would love to find more of it, as well as the rest of the beers in the line. Speaking of which, I just placed another order with Craftshack, and I have a bottle of Trooper IPA on the way. Can't wait to see what that one is like.
