Blue Moon Beer: Hops Or No Hops?

Blue Moon is a popular beer brand with a variety of flavours. The brand was launched in 1995 and has since become a favourite in multiple states. The beer is brewed with a number of ingredients, including malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats. But does it contain hops?

Blue Moon beer is brewed with hops, along with other ingredients like malted barley, white wheat, and orange peel

Blue Moon beer is brewed with hops, a key ingredient in most beers. Hops are flowers, specifically the female flowers of the hop plant, Humulus lupulus. They provide the bitterness that balances the sweetness of the malt, and they also contribute to the aroma and flavour of the beer. In addition to hops, Blue Moon beer contains other ingredients that make it unique and give it its distinctive flavour.

One of the main ingredients in Blue Moon beer is malted barley, which is a type of grain that has been partially germinated and then dried. This process of malting helps to convert the starches in the barley into sugars, which can then be fermented by the yeast during the brewing process. Malted barley adds a sweet, slightly nutty flavour to the beer, as well as contributing to its colour and body.

Another key ingredient in Blue Moon beer is white wheat. Wheat is often used in Belgian-style witbiers, as it helps to create a cloudy appearance and a light, refreshing flavour. It also adds a slight tartness and crispness to the beer. The use of white wheat in Blue Moon contributes to its characteristic smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

In addition to the hops, malted barley, and white wheat, Blue Moon beer also includes orange peel in its recipe. The brewmasters at Blue Moon claim that the orange peel accentuates the flavour of the brew, adding a subtle citrus note that complements the other ingredients. The beer is often served with a slice of orange, which further enhances the citrus flavours and has become a signature of the Blue Moon brand.

These ingredients come together to create a unique and refreshing beer that has become a favourite among many. Blue Moon's use of hops, malted barley, white wheat, and orange peel showcases the creativity and innovation that goes into their brewing process, resulting in a well-balanced and flavourful beer.

The beer is a Belgian-style witbier or wheat ale, inspired by the founder's time in Belgium

Blue Moon is a Belgian-style witbier or wheat ale, inspired by its founder Keith Villa's time in Belgium. Witbiers are characterised by their hazy, white appearance, caused by suspended yeast and wheat proteins reacting to cold temperatures. Belgian witbiers are often brewed with raw, unmalted wheat, and frequently spiced with coriander and orange peel.

Blue Moon is brewed with malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats. It is usually served with a slice of orange, which accentuates the citrus backbone of the beer. The brewmasters at Blue Moon recommend this garnish to complement the delicate sweetness and distinctive citrus aroma of the beer.

Blue Moon is a medium-bodied, refreshing, unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale. It has a uniquely complex taste and an uncommonly smooth finish. It is available in cans, bottles, and kegs, and has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume.

The beer was originally called Bellyslide Belgian White and was created by Keith Villa, a brewer at the Sandlot Brewery in Denver, Colorado. It was launched in 1995 and was originally brewed in Golden, Colorado. It is now also brewed at the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and exported to Europe.

It is produced by MillerCoors in the US and Molson Coors in Canada, marketed as a craft beer

Blue Moon beer is produced by MillerCoors in the US and Molson Coors in Canada and marketed as a craft beer. The beer was launched in 1995 and was originally brewed in Golden, Colorado. It is also brewed at the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which can be sold in the US depending on location and supply from other manufacturing facilities, as well as be exported to Europe. Blue Moon Brewing Co. is an entity of Tenth and Blake Beer Company, the craft and import division of Molson Coors.

Blue Moon Belgian White is a Belgian-style witbier brewed by Molson Coors under the name Blue Moon Brewing Co. The beer was originally called Bellyslide Belgian White and was created by Keith Villa, a brewer at the Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, which is owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Villa's creation is still brewed at the Sandlot Brewery and is also brewed at the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Blue Moon is available in cans, bottles and kegs, and has 5.4% alcohol by volume. The grain bill for Blue Moon includes malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander and oats. It is usually served with a slice of orange, which its brewmasters claim accentuates the flavour of the brew.

In addition to their original Belgian White variety, the Blue Moon Brewing Company offers a range of seasonal beers, including Blue Moon Summer Ale, Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale and Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale.

The beer is served with an orange slice, which complements the beer's coriander and orange peel flavours

Blue Moon beer is often served with an orange slice, which is said to complement the beer's coriander and orange peel flavours. The addition of the orange slice is believed to accentuate the brew's flavour profile, creating a unique and enjoyable drinking experience.

The origin of this unique garnish can be traced back to the beer's co-founder, Keith Villa, who obtained his PhD in brewing in Belgium. During his time in Belgium, Villa was inspired by the unusual combinations of ingredients used in brewing. He crafted the Blue Moon recipe, which included malted barley, white wheat, Valencia orange peel, coriander, and oats.

Villa's time in Belgium also exposed him to the European practice of serving beer with lemon wedges. This sparked the idea to pair his Belgian-style wit with a fresh orange slice. The orange slice not only enhances the beer's flavour but also adds a bright, orangey aroma.

As Villa travelled across the United States to introduce Blue Moon, he noticed that people often garnished the beer with a lemon. Determined to showcase the beer as intended, Villa began supplying bars with oranges and personally garnishing the drinks with orange slices. This hands-on approach took dedication, but it gradually gained traction, and today, it is rare to be served a Blue Moon without the iconic orange wheel perched on the rim.

The orange slice has become an integral part of the Blue Moon experience, with bartenders and customers embracing this unique garnish. It has helped to differentiate Blue Moon from other beers and has contributed to its success and popularity.

Blue Moon has a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers, including Harvest Pumpkin Wheat and Iced Coffee Blonde

Blue Moon Beer, or Blue Moon Belgian White, is a Belgian-style witbier with 5.4% alcohol by volume. It is brewed with malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats, and is often served with an orange slice.

The Blue Moon Brewing Company offers a range of seasonal and limited-edition beers in addition to its original Belgian White. These beers showcase the company's creativity and passion for brewing, putting a unique twist on traditional beer styles.

One such seasonal beer is the Harvest Pumpkin Wheat, previously known as the Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale and Harvest Moon. This autumnal brew contains the flavours of pumpkin and seasonal spices, making it a perfect drink for the cooler months. It is typically available from mid-September through December and has an alcohol content of 5.7%.

Another unique offering from Blue Moon is the Iced Coffee Blonde, a creative twist on the classic blonde ale. This beer is part of the brand's rotating taps, which feature over 20 different Blue Moon varieties throughout the year. These limited-edition beers showcase the brand's experimentation with new flavours and ingredients, keeping customers excited and intrigued.

In addition to these innovative brews, Blue Moon also offers seasonal beers like the Summer Honey Wheat (formerly known as Summer Ale and Honey Moon) and the Mountain Abbey Ale (previously the Winter Abbey Ale and Full Moon). The company also releases limited-edition beers, bringing back discontinued favourites like the Raspberry Cream Ale for short periods.

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