A Taste of Blue Moon Pale Moon

Blue Moon Brewing Co. 13th and Ford Street Golden, Colorado, 80401 United States phone: (800) 642-6116Preface: In 1992 I was working as an editor with the Beverage Network, a trade-book publication for the beverage alcohol industry. One afternoon, in the springtime as I remember it, the publisher and I sat down with Peter Coors. He was in town to celebrate the selling of the one millionth case of Coors Light. My publisher was there to sell him advertising space. I was there to interview him.

I dutifully asked about the Coors Light campaign, and then I asked him how his newest beer, Blue Moon was doing. His response caught me by surprise. He told me that Coors did not make Blue Moon. At the time I found that hard to believe considering the brewery was in the professional baseball park owned by Coors. I sincerely doubt that that company would allow any brewery to operate in Golden Colorado without its blessing. To this day they claim that Blue Moon is not a Coors product. I suppose you have to be a trademark lawyer to find the above particularly amusing. Nevertheless, with as open mind as I can possibly muster, I offer you the following tasting notes.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: This brew has a burnished copper color with medium to large size carbonation bubbles that build a rocky, very lightly tanned head with a fair amount of Belgian lace.

Aroma: The first impression brings out a slight roasted grain aroma. The second introduces a slight note of new mowed lawn. The third nosedive reveals the original impressions were not mistaken.

Flavor: After the first refreshing impression of a nicely chilled beer the flavors that emerge are sweet hints of sugar candy and caramel. The second visit reinforces the first impression. A third swig slowly introduces a familiar hop sensation that adequately clears the palate.

Mouth feel: There is a medium-sized body to this beer is neither heavy nor light.

Finish: The finish of this beer is a slightly sweet impression of lightly toasted grain and the continuation of the caramel note.

Comments: The label on this bottle tells me that it is a “Belgian-style” Pale Ale, it is 5.4% alcohol by volume and is best consumed by November 28, 2011. Considering that I am drinking it on August 19, 2011 I am rather amazed at the confidence they have in the longevity of this beer. Further inspection, and a brief reading of the neck label, reveals the following information “A Belgian-style pale ale crafted with a hint of wheat, orange peel, and hibiscus for a perfectly balanced hop taste and smooth finish.”

If I was twenty two years old, shared an apartment in Midtown Manhattan with two roommates,  worked as a communications technician with one of the major media corporations, and called a burger-and-beer bar my second home, I would consider this an ideal beer.

The Brewery – The Blue Moon Brewing Co.

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