The Blue Moon Beer Experience: A Beginner's Guide

Blue Moon Belgian White is a Belgian-style witbier with 5.4% alcohol by volume. It is brewed by Molson Coors and was launched in 1995. The beer is made from a blend of malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats, and is often served with an orange slice. While some drinkers enjoy the addition of orange, others prefer to drink it without. Blue Moon has a range of seasonal beers, including a summer ale, a pumpkin ale, and a winter abbey ale. It also offers a spring blonde ale, originally known as Rising Moon, which has a focus on citrus flavours.

Best served cold with an orange slice

Blue Moon beer is best served cold with an orange slice—but why? Well, the beer's creator, Keith Villa, was inspired to add an orange slice to the serving suggestion when he saw European bartenders serving beer with lemon wedges. He thought that fresh orange slices would complement his Belgian-style witbier perfectly. The orange slice is said to accentuate the flavour of the brew, heightening the citrus aroma and taste.

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 is now sold in 25 countries. The recipe includes malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander and oats. The orange slice is a key part of the serving suggestion, and the beer is often advertised with an orange wedge sitting on the glass's rim.

Blue Moon is a Belgian-style wheat beer, and the orange slice is meant to complement and enhance the citrus notes in the beer. The brewmasters claim that the orange slice accentuates the flavour, and many drinkers agree that it adds a subtle sweetness and a bright, citrus aroma. Some drinkers choose to omit the orange slice, but for those who enjoy a refreshing, thirst-quenching beer, the orange is a must.

The beer is available in cans, bottles and kegs, and has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume. It's a popular choice for those who want an effervescent, Belgian-style brew, and the orange slice only adds to its unique charm. So, if you're looking to enjoy a Blue Moon, be sure to grab an orange and a glass—it's the perfect combination of creativity and brewing innovation.

The grain bill for Blue Moon

Malted barley serves as the foundation of the grain bill, providing the sugars necessary for fermentation and creating the malt backbone of the beer. White wheat, on the other hand, adds a smooth and creamy texture to the beer, enhancing its mouthfeel. It also contributes to the haze often associated with Blue Moon, giving it a cloudy appearance.

The addition of orange peel brings a burst of citrus aroma and flavour to the beer. It adds a refreshing quality and a subtle tartness that complements the other grains. Coriander, on the other hand, provides a subtle spice note that enhances the overall complexity of the beer. It adds a slight peppery character and a unique twist to the flavour profile.

Lastly, oats are included in the grain bill to contribute to the smooth and creamy mouthfeel of Blue Moon. They add a silky texture and a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavour profile. The combination of these grains and ingredients creates a well-balanced and refreshing beer that has gained a dedicated following.

While the grain bill forms the foundation of Blue Moon's flavour, other ingredients and brewing techniques also play a crucial role in its final character. The choice of yeast, hops, and water profile can also influence the taste, aroma, and overall drinking experience. Additionally, Blue Moon is often served with a slice of orange, which the brewmasters claim accentuates the flavour of the brew, providing a unique serving suggestion.

Blue Moon's seasonal beers

Blue Moon Brewing Company offers a range of seasonal beers, which are brewed with ingredients that are perfect for the season. These beers are designed to be refreshing and flavourful, with a smooth taste and clean finish. Here is a guide to Blue Moon's seasonal beers:

Winter Abbey Ale

Brewed with natural flavouring, this caramel-coloured beer was originally known as Full Moon with the subtitle "Blue Moon Winter Ale". It has an alcohol content of 5.6% in a standard 12 fluid ounce bottle. In 2012, the name was changed to "Mountain Abbey Ale". It is available from November through to Mid-January.

Spring Blonde Ale

Originally known as Rising Moon, this beer was changed in 2013 to "Valencia Grove Amber", an amber ale brewed with Valencia orange peel, roasted malts, and a touch of wheat. It is available from Mid-January through to Mid-March.

Summer Ale

Also known as Honey Moon (renamed in 2006) and Summer Honey Wheat (renamed in 2011), this beer contains 5.2% alcohol by volume in a standard 12 fluid ounce bottle. It is available from Mid-March through to Mid-August.

Pumpkin Ale

Also known as Harvest Moon (renamed in 2007) and Harvest Pumpkin Ale (renamed in 2013), this autumnal beer contains the flavours of pumpkin and other seasonal spices. It has an alcohol content of 5.7% and is typically available from mid-September through December.

Blue Moon's brewing process

Blue Moon beer is a Belgian-style witbier, which was first brewed in 1995 in Golden, Colorado. 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. The beer is now also brewed at the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is available in cans, bottles and kegs.

The grain bill for Blue Moon includes malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander and oats. The brewmasters recommend serving the beer with a slice of orange, which they claim accentuates the flavour. The beer is usually served with an orange slice, and this was a conscious decision by the brewers to differentiate their beer from the typical tartness of a Belgian Wit, which is often served with a lemon slice.

The beer is brewed with a 5.4% alcohol by volume content, although this does vary depending on location. For example, in Minnesota, the alcohol content of Blue Moon beers bought in grocery or convenience stores is 3.2% alcohol by weight (approximately 4.0% alcohol by volume).

The brewing company offers a range of seasonal beers, including a Summer Ale, a Pumpkin Ale, a Winter Abbey Ale, and a Spring Blonde Ale.

Blue Moon's history

Blue Moon beer has an extensive history, launching in 1995 and originally brewed in Golden, Colorado. The beer was first created by Keith Villa, a brewer at the Sandlot Brewery in Denver, Colorado, where it is still brewed today. The brewery is owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company, now called MillerCoors. The Blue Moon Brewing Company was started by Keith Villa and marketer Jim Sabia as a craft beer operating unit of Coors. The name 'Blue Moon' comes from the idea that unique, great-tasting beers only come along once in a blue moon.

The original beer, Blue Moon Belgian White, was originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, or Bellyslide Wit, and is a Belgian-style witbier. It was brewed with Valencia orange peel to create a subtle sweetness, and is usually served with an orange slice to accentuate the flavour. The beer was designed to be a refreshing twist on the typical tartness of a Belgian Wit, and bartenders were encouraged to add an orange wheel garnish to enhance the citrus aroma and improve the drinking experience.

Blue Moon Belgian White was one of four original products, alongside Nut Brown, Honey Blonde, and a seasonal Pumpkin Ale. Over the years, these other offerings were discontinued to focus on the Belgian White, which became the company's biggest seller. The beer helped to introduce American consumers to Belgian styles of beer and grew to become the single largest craft or pseudo-craft beer brand in the US by 2009.

Blue Moon has also released a number of seasonal and limited-edition beers, including Summer Ale (Honey Moon), Pumpkin Ale (Harvest Moon), Winter Abbey Ale (Full Moon), and Spring Blonde Ale (Rising Moon).

Frequently asked questions