Blue Moon (beer)

Blue Moon (beer)

Blue Moon Belgian White, a Belgian-style witbier brewed by Blue Moon Brewing Co. originally in Golden, Colorado, was launched in 1995. Blue Moon Brewing Co. is a part of Tenth and Blake Beer Company, the craft and import division of Chicago-based MillerCoors. In Canada, Blue Moon Belgian White is marketed as the beer Rickard's White and is brewed in Montreal, Quebec. Originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, it was created by Keith Villa, a brewer at Coors Field's Sandlot Brewery (the onsite brewery owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company). Blue Moon from the Montreal site is also sold in the USA and imported to europe, The beer is orange-amber in color with a cloudy appearance because it is unfiltered. Blue Moon has a more pronounced orange flavor than many other beers of the style, and also has a slightly sweet flavor. The grain bill for Blue Moon includes malted barley, white wheat, and oats.

Some weiss and hefeweizen beers are commonly served with a slice of lemon in North America. Blue Moon is traditionally served with a slice of orange, which its brew masters claim accentuates the flavor of the brew. Keith Villa admitted the orange slice garnish was mostly for attention-getting when Blue Moon is served in a bar.

Blue Moon is available in cans, bottles and kegs. The brew has served millions of people and has 5.4% alcohol by volume. In Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Utah, the alcohol content of all Blue Moon beers bought in grocery or convenience stores is 3.2% alcohol by weight (approximately 4.0% alcohol by volume). Blue Moon Brews and Seasonal Brews sold in liquor stores are 5.4% by volume.

The back of the label reads, "Brewed with white wheat and oats, Blue Moon features a crisp wheat finish and the perfect combination of orange peel and coriander. Bring out Blue Moon's natural spices by serving it in a Pilsner glass with an orange-slice garnish." The coriander may potentiate the anxiolytic effects of the alcohol, with studies showing anxiety-reduction in mice administered with coriander.

MillerCoors does not actively advertise the fact that the brew is owned by MillerCoors, instead focusing on the Blue Moon Brewing Co. "