Just tried Blue Moon for the first and last time.

[fearwig]

His original criticism was that it is "nothing like a belgian wheat ale" and that it "tastes like orange juice"

I think that is a fair criticism and with the official recommendation to squeeze an orange in the beer, plus the sweet orange in the beer, plus the citrus tones of coriander, saying it tastes like orange juice, though a bit dramatic, is fair enough imo.

In Blue moon's defense, I doubt wit yeasts were even commercially available when this beer was first brewed in the mid 90s. And coriander and orange ARE used in "Belgian wheat" ales.

Due to the higher body and what seems like at least a TRACE of belgian fruitiness (I mean really an iota), it's at least better than most large-scale commercial (even some craft) American wheats, when it's fresh and on tap. Usually it is not fresh at all, and it is truly terrible when it's stale or poured through dirty lines. I have had it from dirty lines so often I would sooner order bad lager at most bars. Sure beats the **** out of Shock Top, though, as mainstream wheats go (utter swill).

 

[geoffey]

No, because it... isn't opposite day.



Or is it?

Um, what? Care to actually add something to this discussion?


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[fearwig]

I'm glad to hear you think I'm adding to this discussion. Because it... isn't... opposite day.

Ok, but by giving the OP a hard time for saying he doesn't like a beer doesn't that make you a beer snob by your own definition?

The point: Maybe you're the beer snob for calling him the beer snob for calling the other guy the beer snob. Or maybe I'm the beer snob for saying that. Or maybe...

I think the time-space continuum is at risk here. Glad to have had the opportunity to contribute to this fascinating *falls asleep mid-sentence*

 

[geoffey]

I wouldn't want to risk the space-time continuum! Not for Blue Moon anyways... oops! Can't criticize anything or I risk being a beer snob. Dang, this is a viscous circle!

 

[Croyzen]

Blue moon is good that's why it sells. It's a fairly unique beer and it's easily accessible. Throw a slice of orange in one on the tap and enjoy.

Maybe the other beers you're comparing it to just miss the mark of Blue Moon's excellence. Don't be scared, kick one back and enjoy. Just tell your friends that means more Stone 500IBU quadruple dank p.a. for them. A real mans beer should only taste like hop oil.

 

[electrolight]

I don't know why people often confuse smaller macro breweries with craft breweries... sorry bud but blue moon may not be as big as BMC but it is certainly not craft beer.

 

[Photopilot]

My mother in law bought a 12 pack of it when she was last visiting. It was about a year ago and we still have some of it left. I throw it in the cooler when I go boating hoping it's someone"s thing and they will drink it. We still have 5 left.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Ok, but by giving the OP a hard time for saying he doesn't like a beer doesn't that make you a beer snob by your own definition? He's not free to say he doesn't like Blue Moon? Or is it not ok for him to post his opinion of it on a beer forum? Just wondering. He hasn't refused to try it, which would make him a beer snob by your definition, he's expressed his opinion about it. So should we all keep our opinions to ourselves abut what we like/dislike as to avoid being beer snobs?

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There's a difference between saying, "I don't like a particular beer" and "I don't understand why anyone likes this beer." The second one implies that people that have tastes that differ from him have inferior taste buds.

 

[fuelish]

I'd never pay for it, but if someone offers it to me, I won't turn it down.

If we're out somewhere and my Mrs orders one for me whilst I'm in the bathroom, I'll drink it, of course, but wouldn't order one myself. I guess it's "different enough" in a non-offensive (boring) way that it will get some folks drinking it, but....it's pretty lame

 

[fearwig]

I don't know why people often confuse smaller macro breweries with craft breweries... sorry bud but blue moon may not be as big as BMC but it is certainly not craft beer.

Blue Moon Brewing Co. is MillerCoors, actually. It's just something they put on the market in the 90s to tap into craft or craft-like beer sales.

 

[Keith_O]

This was my wife's go to... Now she is starting to branch out, but she still enjoys it...



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[OswaldvW]

Ok. Some people have suggested the OP is a beer snob. Some have suggested I have discovered craft beer and now am turning up my nose to BMC products.

My post was to really understand what people see in the beer. I was actually quite excited to find a single of Blue Moon at the grocery store. I was thinking if it tasted anything close to an Allagash or Ommegang Wit, that it would be a pretty remarkable step for the large breweries. I did not add the squeeze of orange, as suggested. The label does say Belgian, so I expected something similar in style to what I know. At first, the early sips tasted a lot like an American lager. Then I started tasting the fruitiness. Towards the end of the glass, all I could taste was the orange. A lot of orange. Hence my original comment.

I never discovered craft beer. I was raised in Germany and have always had tasty beers in the house due to my father's tastes in English and German brews. In America, his go-to beer was a Yuengling when he couldn't get his hands on a good Pils or ale. When at parties, if offered a BMC product, I will sometimes indulge, but it always brings up the question as to why these products are so popular.

American tastes have grown in the culinary department. We see much more sophistication and range in cooking as well as in the brewing of coffee and tea. American fascination with good beer is along this same wavelength.

I hope that this forum supports many viewpoints, including those from me who wonder why Blue Moon sells. I have received a number of answers that seem to make sense, and I thank the candor of the posters who have been honest and unassuming without trying to paint me a snob.

 

[andvari7]

I had my first Blue Moon in years a couple of weeks ago, and it was sweet and light. That's not necessarily a good thing, but it gets worse. I had a specialty beer from Blue Moon soon after: it's called Tongue Thai-ed, and it's flavored with lemongrass, among other things. It was incredibly soapy, and while I applaud the unorthodox ingredient, I recommend you avoid this beer.

 

[fearwig]

No other flavors of Blue Moon are palatable at all. Even Buckler, supposedly Belgian pale, is a mess.

 

[strambo]

I used to like it, but my palate has moved on. I actually have a clone on tap now, not sure why, my wife likes it. I think it is ok, I like it better with a slice of orange.

I have had a couple really good Wits, I need to figure out a good recipe.


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[sandyeggoxj]

I would rather a coors light than a blue moon. I do know they come from the same place. I can't stand that crap. It must sell pretty good though because they keep making it...

 

[samuryan]

As a bar manager I've always said "the only problem with blue moon is that it sells". I live and work in an area where i can easily get exceptional craft beers, but at the end of the day i gotta go with the numbers. Blue moon has done a very good job introducing people to a style outside of American lager and an even better job at brand recognition.

 

[grizzly2378]

My father in law had free Blue Moon from the bar at his wedding reception. I chose to instead pay for Grain Belt Nordeast. Being in Minnesota, it seemed like the right thing to do.


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[AlreadyXDead]

When I go to the states i like to pick up a case or 2. Its not bad stuff, IMO. Everyone's taste buds are different I guess.

 

[rodwha]

I wish they had Blue Moon at the Beer, BBQ, and Burgers event today here in San Antonio. They had some SNPA and Firestone Walker IPA, and we each got one, and were one of the few who were first in the door, but that was the end of it. One each. From there it was Budweiser products. I drank red wine instead, but was in the "Beer, BBQ, and Burgers" mood.

We will complain about the limited good beer and abundance of crappy beer when the price to get in wasn't cheap at all.

 

[Keith_O]

All I have to say is "Babe, they have Blue Moon on tap!"