As a lifelong Manchester United fan (at least until they appointed Mourinho – a step too far after the Glazer takeover that took me into the arms of Burton Albion, AKA The Brewers, in stead), the phrase "One Love" instantly brings to mind the banner that adorns the Stretford End at Old Trafford, itself a reference to the Stone Roses classic. So, let's see how I can weave that into Brick Lane's core range pale ale...
I'll be honest, I'm struggling to work out how to find reference points for human-as-dolphin, chain gangs or wild apparitions. So maybe we just work with the opening lines: "Any time you want me / Any time at all / Any time you need me / All you gotta do is call" because this 4.4 percenter is very much in that anytime session pale ale spot.
Given it's so pale and comes with a light haze and fluffy white head you could tag it a Pacific ale and be as on point. Up front there's sherbety citrus and grapefruit with some pale malt sweetness in support. Delicate with a cleansing bitterness, it's a highly sessionable modern entry into the lineage of pale ales that was born (like me) in Burton-upon-Trent. (Now I'm really reaching...)
James Smith
