Blue Moon is the beverage of choice this week – another selection from the random crate I got a while back, but with a little more character than a typical pale lager.

In any case, it’s our first American drink – and it’s not too bad. I’d sooner have a Hoegaarden (or something rarer), but it’s nice to have a choice.

Notably absent is the pourshot in this episode – it’s my ambition to always include one going forward, as there are few things sexier than a well-captured one. I’m also kicking myself for recording at the wrong shutter speed – there’s some phasing flicker as a result of my lighting’s refresh rate. Perhaps I worry too much – but these are all lessons learned for future episodes.

Transcript

Hello, this is DrinksAhoy and this… is Beverage Guide Express.

In this episode, we’re covering Blue Moon.

Blue Moon hails from the USA, but is distinctly Belgian in style – a Witbeer, to be precise.

Brewed with oats for creaminess, and spiced with orange and coriander – Blue Moon is a true Belgian White, if inauthentic in origin.

Alcoholic content is 5.4% by volume.

Blue Moon is manufactured by the Blue Moon Brewing Company, based in Golden, Colorado.

The Brewery is a part of Tenth and Blake Beer Company – the craft and import division of brewing giant MillerCoors.

Blue Moon was introduced in 1995, and was originally known as Bellyside Belgian White.

It was met with critical acclaim, attaining gold in the World Beer Championship in its year of introduction – and silver the two following years.

The brewery make a number of other varieties, in addition to their flagship witbier: Pale Moon, Winter Abbey Ale, amongst quite a few others.

Blue Moon pours an opaque deep orange hue, its lack of translucency due to the drink being unfiltered.

This is typical for the style, and lends to the beer’s creamy body.

Aroma is intensely citric, largely due to the orange peel added during the brewing process.

Taste follows suit, a sweet body dominated by orange overtones, with a hint of spice underneath.

A little bitter in the finish, This brew is certainly a change of pace from MillerCoor’s usual output.

A mass-produced American beer that’s true to a Belgian style? That sort of thing only comes around – once in a blue moon.

Thanks for watching, and join me next time for a pair of Italian beers, delineated in blue.