Blue Moon Belgian Pale Ale - Coors Brewing Company

sharlie

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +52.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Needless to say I am a little bias when rating this beer. This is my favorite beer flavor and all. I must say however, I do not enjoy it in the bottle, I prefer this beer on draft. A crisp orange to top it off makes this beer delicious. It is a very common beer that most enjoy.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2013 12:12:02 | More by sharlie

Catherine8189

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +37.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Have to drink it on tap and with an orange! Very full, crisp, smooth mouthfeel. If you want to step up from the run of the mill light beers to dip your toe into a more flavorful beer I think this is a good beer to do it with. There is not much risk involved with trying this beer. There is a slight heaviness that comes along with enjoying this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 22:04:05 | More by Catherine8189

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.11/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very pale Pale Ale coloring the body is quite thin and the head almost non existent.

The scent is so weak it's almost unattainable but after some work I get a few hints of fruit and malt. Hints of raisin emerge to a caramel maltiness.

Tastes of tea and sweet raisin emerge from a weak body. Bits of malt and candied sugary sweetness can be found which makes me wonder if the brewers had the budget I think they could achieve a very tasty brew. This beer screams inexpensive for mass appeal but I think it could be so much more.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 02:10:01 | More by KYGunner

raynmoon

California

2.55/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Looks nice, amber with a fluffy head that sticks around, but it smells not so good. A lot of noble hops and some grassy grains, sweetness from the malts. Overall, it smells nothing like a Belgian Pale Ale.

A slight hop presence on the front but it goes quickly into that typical sweetness from a macro beer. Really let down here.

It would need a nice yeasty kick, a better grain built in the back and a some bitterness to be a real belgian style pale.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 06:11:16 | More by raynmoon

atomicbeer

New Mexico

2.44/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

Pours a deep copper with almost ruby red cast, moderate bubbles rising, and a dense ecru cap. Aroma is first a light dose of citrusy, herbal, green hops and then toasted hawaiian bread and some extra candy sugar sweetness. Mostly lightly toasted malt in the taste, a bit woody and flat, just a bit of herbal/grassy hops, and just a bit of metallic twang. Mouth is a bit thin but fairly juicy initially then drying. Not really alot going on here - pale ale? not really; Belgian? don't taste anything Belgian; more of a generic amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 22:23:25 | More by atomicbeer

Pluffmud

Rhode Island

1.54/5  rDev -51%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.25

The only beer worse than this that I have tasted is Fosters. I would leave it at that, but am required to write more, so I will.
It's smells funky and tastes even worse. If a cow chewed on wheat and you took the drool from it's big ol' cow lips and bottled it, you would have this beer. It tastes stale and repugnant at the same time. Go ahead, stick an orange in it. It won't help.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 06:05:11 | More by Pluffmud

daddydawg80

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

I have avoided this because it's from Coors; however, limited choices at my local grocer prompted me to finally give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised by the balanced flavors and body. This is one of the big boys' most notable attempts at craft type brewing (ie, flavor) and I applaud their effort. I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 18:05:43 | More by daddydawg80

harveystarr

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

This review may not be popular, however, that's why we all review beer. I'm a strong advocate for Craft Breweries and in general vehemently against the Big Boys ala AB, Coors, Etc. That being said, I must give credit where credit is due.
While I will always go for a craft with character in almost all occasions, I believe there is almost always at least one situation for each and all beers. Blue Moon Pale is a sessionable quaff with enough character to keep anyone interested, but "blah" enough to session all night.

App: No complaints. Great golden amber colour, with a small, tight head.
Smelll: Hops immediately, not overpowering, but just enough.
Taste: Even keeled, with a nice hop kick to it. Not too much character on the hops. Slight malt flavour. But they malt and hops do balance themselves nicely.
Mouth: Adequate, just under medium body.
Overall: Sessionable. Hard to hate, easy to overlook. But as said, very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 16:41:26 | More by harveystarr

Satanic

Texas

2.96/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

A - Poured in a mug it retains a clear hue mixed between orange and copper creating a white foamy head of about a fingers width that retained itself for a good five minutes before settling into a ring around the top of the iced mug. Decent amount of carbonation.

T - A strong taste of hibiscus mixed with bitter hops overwhelms the tongue at first before leaving the palette to produce a slight aftertaste of copper, perhaps being what this brew was conceived inside, and a little bitter flavour due to a slight roasting of the hops. All in all it is quite refreshing and easily drinkable, not a bad beer at all..

S - It has a subtle scent of ale and perhaps hibsus, it was more intense in the bottle for some reason then after I poured it into the glass.

M - It isn't thick nor watery, a good blend.

O - Overall this isn't a bad beer and I would drink it again, I would give it a 3.25/5. I found it in a bewer's winter sample kit. I can't wait for the next seasonal one!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 16:04:54 | More by Satanic

Mikie

1/5  rDev -68.2%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

I hate to give such a generic review, but I bought this variety pack of Blue Moon beers that included Valencia Grove Amber, Belgian Style Pale Ale, Sunshine Citrus Blonde, and Belgian White and, sad to say, the only one that tasted okay was the Belgian White. The other three beers tasted like they were the same beers put in different labeled bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:56:13 | More by Mikie

Seekerpilgrim

Washington

3/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pouring a lovely burnt orange with a tinge of green, there is a slight creamy citrus aroma, mixed with the subtle notes of Cascade hops and hibiscus. On the tongue, there is a small but distinct hop attack which smooths out rather quickly leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste, all contained in a full but brief mouthfeel.

Not a bad beer, but nothing exceptional either, this is a solid, simple pale ale, refreshing on it's own, but the crisp bitterness would be perfect with fish and chips, the sharp tang complimenting tarter sauce and vinegar. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 01:34:55 | More by Seekerpilgrim

pmcadamis

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

A - Clear light amber brew with a good sized white head. Retention is good, and there is a nice amount of lace on the glass.

S - Smells like a Killian's. Lighly malty, a hint of toast. Not much going on.

T - I don't see what is "Belgian" at all about this. It's decently tasty, if a little bit boring. Toasted caramel malt, a tiny little wisp of fruity hops on the back end. Overly sweet. Newbies might like this.

M - LIght in body and easy to drink. FInishes a little bit spicy.

I would have guessed that this was an easy going amber ale. Reminds me of that in between sort of beer that isn't really "craft" but is definitely better than piss lager. Michelob Amber Bock, Killian's Irish Red, Pete's WIcked Ale, and the like. This might be one notch above it's macro-brewed bretheren, but its still pretty plain.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 05:37:20 | More by pmcadamis

lwillitz

Florida

3.68/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12-oz bottle into New Belgium globe

A - 2 fingers of light tan head over a transparent body of copper; moderate rising carbonation

S - malty sweetness, floral, citrus, hint of Belgian yeast funk

T - sweet malts up front, floral notes, wheat bread; peppery spice and citrus in the finish; well-balanced

M - smooth medium/full body with prickly carbonation

O - I'm not too familiar with Belgian pale ales, but this is a decent pale.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:51:54 | More by lwillitz

jsisko01

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a clear, dark copper color with a half inch thick head that dissipates after a minute. Leaves behind a nice creamy lacing.

Smell - The aroma is not very strong.. All I detect is malts with a slight buttery character.

Taste - Sweet and very malty with a strong flavor of caramel. Has feint hints of floral hops and citrus as well.. Almost no bitterness is detected.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall - Honestly, this beer is delicious. But it tastes nothing like a pale ale to me. I think the strong caramel flavor masks the pale ale characteristics of the beer. In my opinion it is similar to a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 02:29:33 | More by jsisko01

chinchill

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

12 oz. 2012 bottle served in a Unibroue snifter.
Pours clear deep amber with a tan head that has limited durability but leaves some lacing on on the glass. The sweet aroma is malty with hints of toffee, orange and vague spices. The flavor is subdued but nicely crafted -- the hallmark of Blue Moon. Belgian yeast is apparent but certainly not pronounced.

Mouthfeel is light-medium with good medium carbonation.

O: slightly above average. Best suited for transitional (towards craft beers) beer drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:22:12 | More by chinchill

RickS95

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The color is close for the style, a pale copper, but it's too clear for my liking. I'd imagine it's to sell beers to us Americans, but the clarity doesn't work for me. The head is off white and a finger thick. Has a faint resemblance to an IPA head, but even that isn't quite right. Decent retention and slight lacing.

For all they supposedly put into this beer, I expected more in the way of smell. I struggled to pick up anything of note before finally catching some orange peel. Didn't get the Cascade hops at all.

The taste improves upon the smell quite a bit. The hops finally show up with faint citrus and the wheat provides a crisp, spice-like flavor.

It's very smooth for the style. Even with the spices, which present slightly in the taste, the wheat brings everything together in a smooth, crisp mouthfeel.

Overall, it's not a bad beer. It's probably a good beer for those who grew up on American macros and are afraid of making the jump to craft/import beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:15:17 | More by RickS95

poop_brew

Vermont

2.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a 12oz. Bottle into a pint glass. A wonderful appearance, a nice beer on a cool thanksgiving day!

S: an average citrus aroma with a subtle hop finish. Pretty average though.

T: a nice taste, but not quite was I was looking for in a Belgium pale ale.

M: great drinkability and a smooth carbonation beer.

O: a decent brew. Great for the holidays, but probably wouldn't drink it every night. I'd recommend it to a friend if try hadn't had it before.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 20:36:00 | More by poop_brew

scratch69

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I poured a bottle into a tulip glass.

Appearance- Clear copper color with a half a fingers worth of head. Light amount of lacing.

Smell- Caramel malt aroma with notes of wheat and toast. Hints of floral hops and citrus.

Taste- Sweet caramel malt with a slight orange flavor and a hint of floral hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied and crisp with an average amount of carbonation.

Overall- This not as hoppy as I was expecting from a pale ale. Doesn't take like anything Belgian that I have had before either. Still very drinkable thought.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 20:55:02 | More by scratch69

Roose13

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from the Winter sampler

A: Copper

S: Wheat, orange, hops.

T: A bit hoppy, but not too strong or bitter. Taste of wheat, which is the BM style. A bit sweet as well.

M: Medium, balanced in carbonation, nice dry finish.

Overall Pretty decent attempt to keep the BM characteristic all while having something hopheads could actually enjoy. Solid beer that makes getting the Winter sampler worth getting.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 05:20:48 | More by Roose13

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a crystal clear reddish amber (darker than a copper) in color with moderate to significant amounts of visible carbonation and some slightly orangish hints when held up to the light. The beer has a half finger tall light beige head that quickly reduces to a medium sized patch of thin film covering about 50% of the surface and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate notes of wheat, orange peel, and some floral/herbal hops.

T: Light to moderate amounts of malty sweetness with some light floral and caramel notes. Additionally there is a light herbal hop note which does not lend as much bitterness as I would have expected for the style.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth but slightly dry in the finish.

O: This beer is somewhat easy to drink but it is much too sweet for the style and is slightly out of balance between the malts and the hops (almost like there is a slight lack of hops). Moderate amounts of complexity.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 00:49:17 | More by dbrauneis

Jparker37

Wisconsin

2.83/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into an oversized tulip.

A - Copper in color with brilliant clarity. Poured with a medium sized off-white head which recedes to a small cap.

S - Lightly toasted malt, sweet orange peel. Citrus hops come across with some lemon qualities. Hint of some juicy fruit esters.

T - Toasty malt holds a strong base. Hops come in mild with earth tones. The bitterness is very smooth. Finishes a little sloppy with some malt sweetness. The earthy hop flavor lasts for a short while in the aftertaste.

M - Has a bit of sweetness for any style of pale ale, medium bodied, low-moderate carbonation.

O - Smell was hiding a little bit in this brew. Flavor seemed to be a little syrupy at times, too sweet, but the hops were pleasant. Way to low of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 02:36:09 | More by Jparker37

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.45/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.. Pours a nice copper color with a small white head that leaves a little lacing. Smells really fruity, not terribly surprising, but a little for the type of beer. Tastes of barley grain and some earthy hops. Beer is a little bit overcarbonated but goes down great for its light body. Overall, a slightly above average beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 03:53:19 | More by cyclonece09

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nice dark amber color with a thick layer of tan foam. Sadly the foam disappears rapidly and there is no lacing at all.

S: Aroma is of malty richness and slightly hopped with a slight pine smell.

T: Taste is of malts and light hops, an earthy taste also a slight corn adjunct flavor.

M: Mouth feel is medium bodied with an adequate amount of carbonation.

O: Overall an ok beer would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 04:00:24 | More by nukem5

mckenziac

2.73/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Taken from a Blue Moon seasonal variety pack.

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color. Has a smallish, foamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing.

Smell: Has a sweet, caramel smell with hints of citrus. The bottle says that they add orange peel, so it very well could be that. Still, all around the smell is a little faint.

Taste: Medium bitterness up front back by sweet, caramel maltiness. Finishes sweet, with a citrusy, fruity end. It has only a little bit of that Belgian yeastiness that one would expect from a Belgian pale ale.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, with a light body.

Overall: Overall, an unimpressive attempt at a Belgian style. Nothing awful, just nothing exceedingly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 19:26:54 | More by mckenziac

Billolick

New York

3.25/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle.

The pour is glowing almond amber, under a light tan head.

Head goes to a very thin film, thin collar and some fine slippery lacing.

Dull fruity nose, with just a hint of yeastyness.

Malt up front, mildly hopped and with some continuing floral qualities and light yeast. Barely “Belgian” in character, tastes more like a Coors like take on a very mild winter warmer.

Drinkable yes, with enough sweetness to use in the proverbial marinade for chicken or pork. Would work as an entry level beer for Belgian newbies looking to get their feet wet with a non intimidating new kinda beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 22:19:52 | More by Billolick