1. BlueMoon Beer
The topic of this article is about BlueMoon beer. First, it’s important to note that a Blue Moon has nothing to do with the color of the moonlight but refers to when a full moon appears twice in a month. Since the cycle of a full moon is about 29.5 days, from the perspective of the solar calendar we use, a Blue Moon occurs roughly every two and a half years.
Looking at the packaging, you can see the words Blue Moon and its symbol, a blue moon. Below that, it’s labeled Belgian White, Belgian Style White Ale, indicating that it’s a Belgian-style wheat beer.
From this, I anticipated BlueMoon beer would have a similar vibe to Hoegaarden or Kronenbourg Blanc. Upon examining the ingredients, in addition to the basic four elements of beer, it includes wheat malt, oats, orange peel, and coriander.
The ingredients are similar to those in Hoegaarden, but oats are a new addition to me. However, even with just this information, I expected it to have a similar flavor profile to Hoegaarden. The alcohol content is 5.4%, the volume is 500ml, and the serving temperature is 5-7.5 degrees Celsius.
2. BlueMoon Stroy
1) BlueMoon Brewery
BlueMoon Brewery started in 1995 under the name BlueMoon Brewing Co by Molson Coors. It feels like a craft beer, but it’s actually produced by the large corporation Molson Coors.
In 2012, it faced criticism from the Brewers Association for not making it clear that it was made by the large corporation MillerCoors. It seemed like it was pretending to be a craft brewery, leading to a lawsuit in 2015.
Initially, it was only labeled as Belgian White, which could mislead consumers into thinking it was brewed in Belgium, leading to a lawsuit by the Belgian Brewers Association in 1999. Afterward, the phrase Belgian-Style was added, and now it is used as Belgian Style Wheat Ale.
2) Tasting Notes
When poured into a cup, BlueMoon beer had significant foam and carbonation, and the foam retention was impressive. I liked the rich and lasting foam. The aroma is typical of wheat beer, with hints of cloves and bananas, along with a bit of citrus.
The taste revealed a nutty flavor reminiscent of orange and wheat bread, with the orange leaning more towards sweetness than bitterness. The flavor spreads subtly in the mouth, with some spicy notes, though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which spices. The finish is not long-lasting, leaving a fleeting presence in the mouth.
Overall, aside from the flavors of orange and wheat beer, it doesn’t stand out as particularly unique. I learned that it’s recommended to garnish with an orange slice, likely to enhance the freshness.
3) Food Information Label
Product Name: BlueMoon Beer
Food Type: Beer
Volume: 500ml
Ingredients: Purified water, barley malt, wheat malt, oats, orange peel, coriander, hops, yeast
Manufacturer: Anheuser-Busch Inbev Vietnam Brewery Company
Alcohol: 5.4%
3. Overall Review
In conclusion, BlueMoon beer can be described as a craft-style Belgian wheat beer made by a large American brewery. It has received awards at beer and liquor competitions worldwide, making it a recommendable beer.
If you enjoy Belgian wheat beers like Hoegaarden or Kronenbourg Blanc, I recommend trying it. Despite the controversies, it has gained international fame, which I think is a testament to its quality.