Blue Moon

[MrNate]

Is it just me, or does Blue Moon taste just... awful? I mean, I remembered tasting it some time ago and being dutifully unimpressed, but I was recently out somewhere that had nothing better. I drank it, but I really thought it was exceptionally foul.

Sorry, I guess I'm venting more than anything else, but I just didn't remember it being THAT bad. Wish I could describe the flavor better, but I seem to remember a mix of Belgian-ish phenolics gone bad in an extremely dry beer, no malt sweetness to blend or mellow the strange cacophony of yeast flavors.

Also, why is it that bartenders know so little about beer? Bah. I'm tired of the bars around here. I need to open my own joint.

[markaberrant]

I find it is terrible in bottles, and of the places that do sell it on tap, it is often stale or they have dirty tap lines. But I have enjoyed on tap when fresh and clean... and minus the orange slice.

[steveh]

Just to satisfy my original opinion from a few years ago, I tried the Moon on tap at a joint to see if my thoughts had changed. While I didn't find it as offensive as Nate, and know that phenolic dryness he's talking about, my first thoughts were that it was overdone -- almost to the point of phoniness or "psudo Wit" (which I know it really is).

But I thought about the last Ommegang and Allegash wits I'd had and how much nicer they were, easier to drink and very satisfying. Don't need to try the Blue Moon any more.

S.

[Fweezle]

Not a big fan of Blue Moon...agree with you on the strange (trying to hard to be "this" taste). I think the orange is a coverup for the foul taste.

[darylM]

Its one of those, "it's not bad but its not good" beers.

[markaberrant]

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying it's amazing. But if the rest of the menu is macro-swill, I won't hesitate to order it... whereas if it wasn't on the menu, I'd just order a water.

[P-Train]

Tastes like potpourri.

[MrNate]

Should've mentioned that it was the bottled version. I think the first time I tried it it was on draft... That could very well account for the difference.

[DecoJuicer]

Isn't Blue Moon made by Coors?? I now that it is made in Goldin, Colorado and I thought that I remembered somebody saying that it is a Coors product.

[steveh]

Isn't Blue Moon made by Coors??

Where you been Deco? Aside from avoiding BMC, that is!

Blue Moon seems to be the big phenom in the Macro world -- the "first ever craft beer" brewed by one of the big three. There's a lot of people out there (Stan and Lew, for 2) who give them a lot of credit for doing so -- though I still think it's a pretty lame "craft beer."

Miller is giving credit to Coors for swaying them into their Craft Lite line.

S.

[MrNate]

Funny how they don't advertise it as being Coors, huh?

I said something to my wife about it being a Coors product, and the young bartender said something to the effect of "not liking it since it got bought by Coors - it's too sweet now."

Hrm? Oh well. Like I always say, I could be wrong. It's not likely, but it is possible. :D

[beerking]

Blue Moon has always been a Coors product. It was first developed and brewed at Sandlot, the brewpub at Coors Field, then corporate decided to take it national.

BTW, Sandlot is a great brewpub, and well worth a visit. Most times they will only have one or two beers we would find interesting, but those beers will be very good. They held a party there for brewers and judges Friday of the last GABF. They had taken all the regular products off, and only had craft brews on, some of their best (something like 16 of them!). Every single one of them was outstanding! They had 3 different Rauchbiers, a helles, a marzen and a bock (you out there Chaz and Steveh?), all of which tasted like you were in Bamberg. They also had a very nice heffe, and an awesome doppelbock.

While I was there, I complimented one of the brewers on the great lineu up of awesome beers. His response was "Yeah, but we have to be in here at 6AM tomorrow (Sat) to change them all out. We have a private party at 11AM, and have to swap out all the good stuff for our regular beers, plus clean the lines, before they start setup.

[MeridianFC]

Blue Moon tastes like arse.

[steveh]

Funny how they don't advertise it as being Coors, huh?

Coincidence? I think not.

"not liking it since it got bought by Coors - it's too sweet now."

And bartenders wonder why we pick on them. As bad as an old friend who works for the Coors distro out of state who heard about A-B "buying" Goose Island and wouldn't take my better knowledge to heart -- because he heard it from the A-B distro. Yeah, okay.

How many people you know think Killian's is brewed in Ireland?

S.

[beerking]

As bad as an old friend who works for the Coors distro out of state who heard about A-B "buying" Goose Island and wouldn't take my better knowledge to heart -- because he heard it from the A-B distro. Yeah, okay.

How many people you know think Killian's is brewed in Ireland?

Some of the A-B misconception is probably due to A-B themselves. when I went to the tasting room at SeaWorld in Orlando, they had Widmer on tap. There were several tap handles I could not see at the time, so I asked if they had any other non-A-B products. the response was that Widmer WAS an A-B product.

IIRC, there actually is a Killian's made in Ireland. Of course, it isn't imported to the US, so I am sure you must be referring to the OTHER Coors "craft" line. :rolleyes:

[MeridianFC]

Killians hasn't been made in Ireland since the 50s. There is another version made in France.

[steveh]

That was my point. But I believe the Killian's from Ireland (who sold the rights to the name to Coors) is actually still brewed in Ireland, just sold only in France where it retains big popularity. The Killian's we see here in the US is brewed anywhere you see a Coors brewery.

S.

*Edit -- Looks like it's actually brewed by Brasserie Heineken (uh oh) in Marseille, FR these days.

[steveh]

the response was that Widmer WAS an A-B product.

I suppose that when they see the kegs rolling off the A-B truck, it becomes an "A-B product." But I'd bet the Widmer Bros. would be prone to argument.

S.

[skahtboi]

Tastes like potpourri.

You know, that sums it up nicely, in my opinion.

[dparsons]

Blue Moon seems to be the big phenom in the Macro world -- the "first ever craft beer" brewed by one of the big three. There's a lot of people out there (Stan and Lew, for 2) who give them a lot of credit for doing so -- though I still think it's a pretty lame "craft beer."
S.

You gotta figure that a Wit is probably an easier jump for a Coors than other styles. Make a light bodied, low hopped wort (i.e. a batch of Coors, pre-yeast). Change the yeast and ferment warmer. Add a bit of Orange Peel and Corriander for flavor - can probably get away with extracts of both if available.

[steveh]

Make a light bodied, low hopped wort (i.e. a batch of Coors, pre-yeast). Change the yeast and ferment warmer. Add a bit of Orange Peel and Corriander for flavor - can probably get away with extracts of both if available.

I'd agree with all that, but it seems to have more body than a standard Coors. There must be a little more malt in there, but yeah -- toss in extra ingredients at will, that's what it tastes like.

S.

[wortchillergoal]

I am not a big fan of this beer as well. Though I must say that I do not find it as offensive as some of you. I too would drink it in a restaurant if that were the only choice over the standard BMC offerings.

A few of my hockey buddies really enjoy Blue Moon. I do not say much about what the craft beer drinkers think of it for fear of losing possible conversions. I have had a few of them glow when I gave them some Ommegang and told them that this is what Blue Moon is trying to be. I have gotten a couple to switch to Middle Ages Swallow Wit as well.

[fretlessman71]

At least Blue Moon has some flavor to it and isn't terribly offensive. It's kind of like a Datsun 280Z - it just whets your appetite for that Mazerati even more. I'd drink one over an Amber Bock any day of the week and twice in February.

[fretlessman71]

I suppose that when they see the kegs rolling off the A-B truck, it becomes an "A-B product."

S.
Does this make dalmatians an A-B product as well? ;)

[steveh]

Does this make dalmatians an A-B product as well? ;)

I think A-B swiped them from fire departments... and the fire fighters aren't happy.

S.

[wortchillergoal]

any day of the week and twice in February.

I hope that is not a shot at February. Many good things have come out of February.(see my profile)

[fretlessman71]

It's an esoteric reference to Radar O'Reilly. I don't want to get your goon defenseman mad again after the wife comment last week...

[wortchillergoal]

It's an esoteric reference to Radar O'Reilly. I don't want to get your goon defenseman mad again after the wife comment last week...

I really wouldn't send my good defenseman out, I think. I consider myelf somewhat educated in MASH. I am drawing a blank on the reference. Would you please elaborate and improve upon store of knowledge.

[fretlessman71]

My mouse could beat your mouse any day of the week and twice in January!

(I just changed the month because I can, and it had just passed, meaning I wouldn't have to "put my money where my mouse is" for 11 months.)

[MeridianFC]

I just want to be clear, I give Coors a lot of credit for the BM products, I just think the White has a bad taste to it. Oddly I find it not smooth enough for a Wit.