Blue Moon (beer)

Lore & Background

Blue Moon was originally called Bellyslide Belgian White and was created by brewer Keith Villa at the Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, owned by Molson Coors. It is still brewed there as of 2024, and also at the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which can be sold in the US depending on location and supply, and exported to Europe. The Blue Moon Brewing Co. is an entity of Tenth and Blake Beer Company, the craft and import division of Molson Coors.

The beer's grain bill includes malted barley, white wheat, orange peel, coriander and oats, and is typically served with a slice of orange, which its brewmasters claim accentuates the flavor. Blue Moon is available in cans, bottles and kegs. In Minnesota, the alcohol content of all Blue Moon beers bought outside of bars or liquor stores is 3.2% alcohol by weight (approximately 4.0% alcohol by volume), while seasonal brews sold outside grocery and convenience stores are 5.4% by volume.

Blue Moon has faced controversies. In 2012, the Brewers Association criticized the brand for not stating on the bottle that the beer is made by MillerCoors, allowing it to masquerade as an independent craft brewer. In 1999, the Confédération des Brasseries de Belgique sued Coors over the use of the term 'Belgian White', alleging misleading advertising; Coors eventually settled, agreeing to change labeling to 'Belgian-style Wheat Ale'. In Canada, Blue Moon was introduced in 2015 as 'Belgian Moon', changing to Blue Moon in 2022.

Reader's Guide

Blue Moon's significance lies in its role as a widely distributed Belgian-style witbier produced by a major brewing conglomerate, Molson Coors, under a craft-oriented subsidiary name. It sparked debate within the craft beer community about labeling transparency and the definition of independent craft brewing, as the Brewers Association and some independent brewers argued that its packaging omitted its corporate parentage. The brand also faced legal action from Belgian brewing authorities over the use of 'Belgian White', resulting in a settlement that changed its labeling to 'Belgian-style Wheat Ale'. Despite these controversies, Blue Moon has maintained a broad market presence, with seasonal variations such as Honey Moon (originally Summer Ale), Harvest Moon (originally Pumpkin Ale), Full Moon (originally Winter Abbey Ale), and Rising Moon (later Valencia Grove Amber). It has won multiple awards at the World Beer Championship and World Beer Cup, including a 2008 World Beer Cup gold medal for Honey Moon and being named Champion Brewery - Large Brewing Company in 2008. The brand's legacy includes its influence on the mass-market adoption of witbier and its role in the ongoing conversation about what constitutes craft beer.

Did You Know?

• Blue Moon was originally called Bellyslide Belgian White when created by brewer Keith Villa.
• In Canada, Blue Moon was introduced in 2015 as 'Belgian Moon' and renamed to Blue Moon in 2022.
• Blue Moon won a gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup in the Specialty Honey Lager or Ale category for its Honey Moon variety.