Blue Moon Beer: An Ipa Or Not?

is blue moon an ipa beer

Blue Moon beer is a Belgian-style witbier (wheat beer) originally brewed by the Coors Brewing Company and launched in 1995. It is brewed with bitter orange peel, coriander, and oats, and is light and refreshing. Blue Moon has an ABV of 5.4%, although in Minnesota, the alcohol content is 3.2% alcohol by weight (approximately 4.0% ABV). Blue Moon does have an IPA as part of its range, called Arctic White. This is an American wheat-style IPA brewed with sweet orange peel and coriander, with an ABV of 6.2%.

Characteristics Values
Beer Style Belgian-style witbier (wheat beer)
Brewery Blue Moon Brewing Company
ABV 5.4%
IPA Yes
IPA Name Artic White
IPA ABV 6.2%
Seasonal Beers Blue Moon Summer Ale, Harvest Moon, Full Moon, Valencia Grove Amber, Pale Moon Light, Rounder
Pairings Seafood, spicy Mexican food, strong cheeses

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Blue Moon White IPA

In addition to the Belgian White and White IPA, Blue Moon Brewing Company offers several other beers, including seasonal brews. Some of their variations include the Summer Ale/Honey Moon, Pumpkin Ale/Harvest Moon, Winter Abbey Ale/Full Moon, and Spring Blonde Ale/Rising Moon. They also have a Light Citrus Wheat option and a Non-Alcoholic Belgian-Style Wheat Brew.

The Blue Moon Brewing Company has faced some controversies, including a lawsuit regarding their labelling as "Craft Beer" and a lawsuit from the Confédération des Brasseries de Belgique regarding their use of the term "Belgian White." Despite this, Blue Moon beers have won several awards, including medals at the World Beer Championship and World Beer Cup.

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Blue Moon Belgian White

The grain bill for Blue Moon Belgian White includes malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats. It is often served with a slice of orange, which accentuates the citrus aroma and taste of the brew. The beer has a subtle sweetness and a bright, citrus aroma from the use of Valencia orange peel.

In addition to their Belgian White variety, Blue Moon Brewing Company offers seasonal and limited-release beers, such as their Summer Ale, Pumpkin Ale, and Winter Abbey Ale. They also have a White IPA, which is crafted with four varieties of hops, wheat, coriander, and a hint of orange peel.

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Blue Moon's other beers

Blue Moon is a Belgian-style witbier, originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, and was first brewed in Golden, Colorado. It is brewed with malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander, and oats, and is often served with an orange slice. Blue Moon has 5.4% ABV, although this may vary depending on location.

In addition to their original Belgian White, Blue Moon Brewing Company offers a range of seasonal and limited-edition beers. These include:

  • Blue Moon Summer Ale, or Honey Moon/Summer Honey Wheat: A seasonal brew with 5.2% ABV, available from May to August.
  • Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, or Harvest Moon/Harvest Pumpkin Ale: An autumnal beer with flavours of pumpkin and seasonal spices. It has 5.7% ABV and is typically available from mid-September to December.
  • Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale, Full Moon, or Mountain Abbey Ale: A winter beer with a caramel colour and natural flavours. It has an ABV of 5.6%.
  • Blue Moon Spring Blonde Ale, Rising Moon, or Valencia Grove Amber: A springtime brew that originally included Makrut lime leaves but now focuses on orange and lemon peel for citrus flavours.

Blue Moon also offers a pale ale called Rounder, previously known as Pale Moon, and a White IPA with Cascade, Citra, and Huell Melon hops.

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What is an IPA?

Blue Moon is a Belgian-style witbier brewed by Molson Coors under the name Blue Moon Brewing Co. It was launched in 1995 and was originally brewed in Golden, Colorado. Blue Moon Brewing Co. also offers a variety of seasonal beers, including a White IPA.

IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. IPAs are known for their characteristic hoppy flavour with plenty of citrus and fruit notes. The history of the IPA dates back to the 18th century. Legend has it that these types of beer were made for British sailors on their long voyages to India. During that time, the weather in India was too hot and humid to brew good beer. Thus, sailors brewed a beer with lots of hops that could survive long journeys without spoiling.

IPAs have a higher ABV (alcohol by volume) than most other types of beer. On average, an IPA will range from 7-10% ABV, while session IPAs are closer to everyday beer at around 4-5% ABV. The thing that sets IPAs apart from other craft beers is their distinct taste. However, not all IPAs are the same, and there are several different styles.

The English IPA is the original IPA, with a more subtle aroma and earthy flavour compared to its American counterparts. West Coast IPAs, first crafted in California, are less dry and have a flavour profile closer to English IPAs due to the use of crystal malt. East Coast IPAs, on the other hand, are known for their intense hoppy and fruity flavours commonly associated with American IPAs.

Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, contain more malts and hops to balance out the sweetness, resulting in a higher alcohol content. Taking it a step further, Triple IPAs have even more hops, making them drier and more bitter than other IPAs. They can reach ABV levels of up to 18%, making them popular among seasoned beer drinkers.

In contrast to Triple IPAs, Session IPAs are designed for casual drinking sessions. They have a more subtle flavour profile, lower hoppiness, and a more moderate ABV of around 4-5%.

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Is Budweiser an IPA?

Blue Moon is a beer brand with a variety of offerings, including a White IPA. This particular brew is crafted with four varieties of hops, wheat, coriander, and orange peel. It is unfiltered and has a bright hop aroma, resulting in a balanced IPA.

Now, let's address the question, "Is Budweiser an IPA?"

No, Budweiser is not an IPA. Budweiser is a lager, specifically an American lager, and is considered a "normal lager lager" in terms of alcohol content. It typically has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 5%, which is within the standard range for lagers.

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are known for their strong hoppy flavor. The name originates from an English brewer who added extra hops as a preservative when shipping beer to India through the East India Company. Over time, the style evolved, and now IPAs are characterized by their prominent use of hops, resulting in a strong hoppy taste.

While Budweiser does not fall into the IPA category, it is one of America's most iconic beers and is widely recognized as a leading brand in the industry. Budweiser is known for delivering great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied drinkers for generations.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Blue Moon does have an IPA called the White IPA. It is an American wheat-style IPA brewed with sweet orange peel and coriander.

The ABV of Blue Moon's White IPA is 6.2%.

The White IPA has a bitter taste with strong citrus and fruity hop flavours. It has a lingering bitter finish.

The White IPA pairs well with bold, flavourful seafood dishes, spicy Mexican food, and strong cheeses such as sharp cheddar and blue cheese.

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