New Order has its own beer now, people will probably still ask for a Joy Division instead
Ignoring the vocal critics in the back of the bar—who won’t stop yelling about how much better it would taste if the late Ian Curtis had been involved in the brewing—the members of influential post-punk rock band New Order have announced that they’ve made their own beer. Stray Dog—named after one of the lead tracks off the band’s triumphant return, last year’s Music Complete—is “a refreshing and clean tasting golden ale with hints of citrus fruit and lychee, all balanced by a subtle bitterness,” the last element presumably supplied by 36 years of being unfavorably compared to their own work as Joy Division, which ended in 1980 with Curtis’ death.
The beer was developed by British brewer Moorhouse, after a series of tastings in the spring. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Moorhouse’s of Burnley on our first foray into the brewing business,” the New Order band members said in a statement. “Even more so that they’re celebrating their 150th anniversary—”and that’s when some asshole in the audience yells out, “Pour us some ‘Love Will Tear Us Aporter!’” and the band just has to sigh and start again. “They’re celebrating their 150th anniversary, and have such a rich heritage in the north west.” Then they sigh again, and get on with their lives. Stray Dog will be available in U.K. pubs this fall.