SuperBowl 2010 – Blue Moon Beer and Boats
At least I didn’t puke from overindulgence during this superbowl 2010 season. I guess I’ve finally learned to pace myself. I joined a few friends at a marina restaurant bar called Tony P’s and started with a Mai Tai. I have no idea why. It just seemed like a refreshing idea at the time. The hefty glass had a huge slice of pineapple with a little umbrella and the liquid was dark caramel. It looked deadly but I did not hesitate to swill.
The crowd was well behaved the back patio had a very chill vibe. I looked out to the marina and enjoyed the sunny scenery of boats and seagulls, The sky displayed cozy colors of blue, yellows and oranges. I started to feel the buzz from the Mai Tai.
THE SAINTS JUST INTERCEPTED AND MADE A FREAKIN’ TOUCHDOWN!
I was happy and ready for another beverage. I spotted mostly Blue Moons being served and ordered one. After the first cold tasty glass, I decided I will stick with Blue Moon for the rest of the game. I tried to remember how I discovered this beer. I think girl at another local bar turned me on to Blue Moon and at first, I was hesitant because I am not a fan of fruity or flavored beers, but I find myself partaking once in a while and this orange beer has been a guilty pleasure. Here is a bit of trivia:
Blue Moon, a Belgian-style witbier brewed by the Molson Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, was launched in 1995. In Canada it is marketed as a similar beer called Rickard’s White and is brewed in Montreal, Quebec. Originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, it was created by Keith Villa, a brewmaster at Coors Field’s Sandlot Brewery (the onsite brewery owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company). The beer is orange-amber in color with a cloudy appearance because it is unfiltered. It is also spiced with coriander and orange peel in addition to the hops found in most beers. Blue Moon has a more pronounced orange flavor than many other beers of the style. The grain bill for Blue Moon includes malted barley, white wheat, and oats.
Some weiss and hefeweizen beers are commonly served with a slice of lemon in North America. Blue Moon, however, is traditionally served with a slice of orange, as it is said to accentuate the flavor of the brew. Keith Villa of Molson Coors admitted the orange slice garnish was mostly for attention-getting when Blue Moon is served in a bar. Many beer drinkers do not prefer fruit slices in their beer, since citric acid can eliminate the beer’s frothy, flavorful head, and may prefer to have the brew served in a wheat beer glass instead. Finally, since Blue Moon is an unfiltered wheat beer, it is suggested to leave a small amount of the beer with sediment at the bottom of the bottle, then swirl it around in order to pour it into the glass, creating a thick head on the beer.
Blue Moon is available in bottles and kegs. The brew has 171 calories per 12-ounce serving and 5.4% alcohol by volume. However, in Oklahoma, Colorado and Utah, the alcohol content of all Blue Moon beers bought in grocery or convenience stores is 3.2% alcohol by weight (approximately 4.0% alcohol by volume). Blue Moon Brews and Seasonal Brews sold in Liquor Stores are 5.4% by volume.
The back of the label reads, “Brewed with white wheat and oats, Blue Moon features a crisp wheat finish and the perfect combination of orange peel and coriander. Bring out Blue Moon’s natural spices by serving it in a Pilsner glass with an orange-slice garnish.” Some studies suggest the coriander increases the level of intoxication thought to be caused by accelerated entry into the bloodstream. Coriander may also potentiate the anxiolytic effects of the alcohol, with studies showing anxiety-reduction in mice administered with coriander.
Coors does not actively advertise the fact that the brew is owned by Coors on the belief that being associated with a major national brewery would diminish its credibility among aficionados. Blue Moon is instead branded as being brewed by the “Blue Moon Brewing Company.”
Interested in learning some secrets to brewing your own beer at home? Make the next Superbowl Party a Hit!