Friday Beer O'clock Selections

Blue Moon's Honey Moon Summer Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 10-13-2010

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This week's Friday Beer O'Clock Selection comes from Blue Moon Brewing Company. Honey Moon Summer Ale is brewed in small batches and is available from May thru mid-August.

ABV: 5.20%

Appearance:

The pour created a lot of bubbling, but  produced only a thin head that dispersed in seconds. Lacing is non-existant with the excpetion of a few stray bubbles that find their way to the edge of the glass before vanishing. Turbidity is clear and the color is a golden yellow ochre.

Aroma:

Definately citrus orange and spice (corriander?) with sweet malted wheat and bready yeasts.

Taste:

Good balance in the mouthful with yeast bread, orange and spices up front. I didn't really pick up the honey untill the finish where it really comes out an lingers in all it's sweet glory before conceding to slight hints of grain. 

Feel:

Some carbonation at the back of the throat giving way to a smooth velvety refreshing liquid. On the lighter side, but with a slightly chewy character and semi-dry in the finish.

Drinkability:

Definately up on my drinkability scale. I like the balance of citrus, spices and the sweet flavors of the wheat malts and honey. It has a nice range of flavors and the spices tend to come out more as the beer warms. With an average ABV, it won't hurt to have a couple.

Overall:

I like it (for a filtered Coors family brew) !  ;-)

Filed under  //   Ale   Seasonal   blue moon   flavored   honey   summer   wheat  

Blue Moon's 2009 Limited Grand Cru - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 4-16-2010

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This weeks Beer O'clock Selection was Blue Moon's 2009 Limited Grand Cru.

8.2% ABV
2009 Belgian White limited edition.
Small batch brew traditionally brewed for "special" celebrations.

Appearance: it poured with a nice golden orange color and an unimpressive head that dissipated quick (30 seconds) and little lacing. Turbidity is cloudy and there is a pretty good amount of sediment floating around with some bubbling.

Aroma:
Aroma is not over the top. I pick up the citrus and orange, some spice (clover?) and wheat but all pretty subtle.

Taste:
Taste is a bit on the sweet side with some light bitterness, hops and wheat on the back. 

Feel:
It's a light medium body contrary to what I expected from the appearance with medium carbonation. Finish is not dry but light and crisp.

Drinkability:
It is an easy drinking brew and could be enjoyed in the yard on a nice clear sunny day with nothing else to do.

Overall
Truth is, based on the price (just under $10), bottle and label, I expected a lot more. For me, this was not to far off from Blue Moon's original which I enjoy just as much. I don't dislike the Grand Cru, but I also don't think it lived up to the expectations.

Filed under  //   belgian white   blue moon  

Friday Beer O'Clock Selection for 2-12-2010 - Blue Moon's Pale Moon Ale

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This weeks Friday Beer O'Clock Selection is Blue Moon's Pale Moon Ale.
This is a Belgian-Style Pale Ale Brewed with European malts, Cascade Hops, and a bit of Hibuscus and orange peel.

Thoughts:
Wonderful golden copper color. Nice hoppy flavor, but for me maybe a little high on the citrus meter leaving a little sting.

Aroma is good. Hoppy with a hint of sweetness?

Filed under  //   Ale   Seasonal   blue moon   fall   winter  

Friday Beer O'Clock Selection - 2-5-2010: Blue Moon's Full Moon Winter Ale

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An Abbey Ale With Roasted Malts with Dark Belgian Sugar.

Quick Impression:

A well balanced drinkable brew. I like this one a lot. You can taste the sweetness of the Belgian Sugar but it's not over done and just enough to balance out some of the bitterness. The color is a beautiful amber/red that pours with a beigh head. Body is light to medium light and fluid. Carbonation is good and sweat belgian sugars blend nicely with the roasted malts.

Filed under  //   Ale   Seasonal   blue moon   top-pick   winter