Blue Moon (beer)
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Blue Moon, a Belgian-Style white beer brewed by the Molson Coors Brewing Company, was launched in 1995. Originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, it was created by Keith Villa, a brewmaster at Coors Field's Sandlot Brewery (the onsite brewery owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company). The beer is a three-time medalist at the World Beer Championships (Gold-1995, Silver-1996-7).
Blue Moon is a somewhat typical example of a Belgian wheat ale. The beer is orange-amber in color with a cloudy appearance due to the fact that it is unfiltered. It is also spiced with coriander and orange peel in addition to the hops found in most beers. Blue Moon does have a more pronounced orange flavor than many other beers of the style; however, some drinkers get the impression of an overall blue marshmallow flavor. The grain bill for Blue Moon includes malted barley, white wheat, and oats.
In addition to the Belgian White variety, Blue Moon also offers a Pumpkin Ale during the Autumn months. This variety contains the flavors of vine-ripened pumpkins and other autumnal spices. Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale is typically available in bottles from mid-September through December.
Many wheat beers are served with a slice of lemon. Blue Moon, however, is traditionally served with a slice of orange, as it is said to accentuate the flavor of the brew. Some beer drinkers do not prefer fruit slices in their beer, since they believe the citric acid can eliminate the beer's frothy head.
Blue Moon is available in bottles and kegs. The brew has 171 calories per 12-ounce serving and 5.4 percent alcohol by volume.
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[edit] Awards
- 1995 World Beer Championship gold medalist, White Beer category
- 1996 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
- 1997 World Beer Championship silver medalist, White Beer category
[edit] Popular Culture
Jamband musician and Radio disk jockey Keller Williams is sponsored by Blue Moon beer and often announces on air that he is going to go "shotgun a few Blue Moon beers" or "pause for the cause" as advertisement for them.
[edit] Naming Controversy
In 1999, the Confederation des Brasseries de Belgique (The Confederation of Belgian Breweries) sued the then-named Coors Brewing Company over its use of the term "Belgian White." The CBB alleged Coor's advertising was misleading, and could confuse American consumers into believing Blue Moon was made in Belgium. Coors at first responded by adding "Made in USA" and "Belgian-style" in small print to the bottle labels, but refused to change its advertising or packaging. [1]
The New Belgium Brewery which makes Fat Tire Amber Ale immediately complied with the CBB's requests for name changes, out of respect for one of the oldest professional associations in the world.[2]
Coors eventually settled out of court with the CBB, agreeing to change the labelling to "Belgian-style Wheat Ale."[3]
[edit] Blue Moon Flavor Controversy
Other food products with the Blue Moon flavor, typically ice cream, are varied in their perception. There is some disagreement regarding exactly what "Blue Moon" officially tastes like. The USPTO does not list any trademark for Blue Moon flavor, which may partially account for the different versions from different manufacturers, most of which are proprietary.
[edit] Variations of Blue Moon
For the winter season of 2006, Blue Moon Brewing Company released Blue Moon Winter Ale. It is described on the bottle as a "winter seasonal ale that blends three varieties of slow roasted malts and multiple hops to deliver exquisite aroma and taste". It is brewed with natural flavor and a caramel color. It contains 5.6% alcohol in a standard 12 fluid ounce bottle. The back of the bottle reads it's "that time again-the weather cools and our seasonal ale is here. Blue Moon Winter Ale captures all the season's subtle colors and complexity."
[edit] External links
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