Keith Villa, then-brewmaster of the Sandlot Brewery in the basement of Denver’s Coors Field, created Blue Moon after receiving his Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels. The beer was originally called Bellyslide Wit and was later changed to Blue Moon. According to brewery lore, the name was inspired by a fan who said, “A beer this good only comes around once in a blue moon.” It took more than 20 years to find Blue Moon a home. Coors even opened its very own Blue Moon brewery in Denver’s RiNo Point where the brand experiments with new flavors and products just like the Mango Wheat! What is a Belgian ale?

With an ABV of 5.4% and a cloudy, yellow-orange coloured ale with a rich white head, Blue Moon Mango Wheat’s ripe mango flavour and aroma is balanced with a light biscuit maltiness and hints of honey. The new variant reportedly has a sweet, tropical taste inspired by freshly cut mangoes enjoyed on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cancún in Mexico. While you’re still likely to come across the classic Blue Moon before this tropical version, it’s widely available in grocery stores like Safeway, Giant, and Harris Teeter as well as in local liquor stores and Total Wines around the United States. Then there’s the fact that the beer itself does not follow all the traditions of a Belgian Wheat beer. Villa took many liberties in Americanizing the palate and adding his signature Valencia orange peel for sweetness.VinePair analyzed Nielsen CGA survey data to determine the most popular beer brand in every state. Blue Moon claimed the title for two states, Oregon and Maryland. Its popularity beat out one-state favorites Samuel Adams Seasonal (Massachusetts), Miller Lite (Pennsylvania), and New Glarus Spotted Cow Ale (Wisconsin’s amazing outlier). Other two-state favorites included Samuel Adams Boston Lager (Connecticut and Delaware), and Corona Extra (California and Washington State). Coors Light was the most popular in three states (Minnesota, Indiana, and, gasp!, New York). Winning the popularity contest in 22 states: Bud Light. ‘Craft’ is in the eye of the beer holder. Pricing tends to be more in line with “craft” beer, but without much of the same artistry and uniqueness Blue Moon has become so popular its reach has expanded to 25 countries, including Canada and several European countries. If you are visiting our Canadian neighbors though, be sure to say Belgian Moon instead of Blue Moon.

The Blue Moon label has long claimed its beers are produced by “ Blue Moon Brewing Company.” Although the Sandlot Brewery was later renamed the “Blue Moon Brewery at the Sandlot,” Blue Moon was brewed at several other locations throughout the 1990s and 2000s. These include facilities in Utica, N.Y., from 1995 to 1997; Cincinnati from 1997 to 1999; Memphis from 1999 to 2001; and both Montreal, Canada and Golden, Colo., from 2003 to 2008. Since 2008, Blue Moon has been produced in Golden and Eden, N.C. In 2016, MillerCoors opened a Blue Moon brewpub in Denver’s RiNo art district. Blue Moon has a secret Canadian identity. Wheat provides a full body and luscious mouthfeel, and also contributes to the hazy color of the beer. The subtle use of hops lends to a lighter, more refreshing flavor, but preserves the classic foam head. Charlotte Revill, Blue Moon brand manager at Molson Coors, said: “ Blue Moon is a market leader in the wheat beer category, and we’re seeing the popularity of this segment of the market continue to increase as consumers look for exciting new flavours, which have a more premium, craft feel. The light fruity beer contains water, barley malt, wheat, mango, yeast, hops, honey and other natural flavors. Barley Malt gets top billing on the grain list for all of Blue Moon’s products, while the true signature flavor and texture is derived from the wheat.In particular, he incorporated more sweetness and the iconic Valencia orange to balance the wit’s sharp tartness. Charlotte Revill, Blue Moon Brand Manager at Molson Coors, said: “Blue Moon is a market leader in the wheat beer category, and we’re seeing the popularity of this segment of the market continue to increase[2] as consumers look for exciting new flavours, which have a more premium, craft feel. Molson Coors Beverage Company has launched Blue Moon Mango Wheat beer into the UK off-trade following its resounding success in the US market. You’ll certainly get some light coffee aromas right off the bat, followed by a subtle maltiness and a hint of honey. The pale golden color is reminiscent of the classic Blue Moon, while a lingering, spicy sweetness certainly sets this coffee brew apart. Blue Moon Honey Daze If you’re someone who is passionate about supporting small businesses, then you may opt to stay away from Blue Moon. But if you simply want to enjoy a refreshing brew on a warm day, then sip away! Other Options from Blue Moon Blue Moon Belgian White

Molson Coors Beverage Company has launched Blue Moon Mango Wheat into the UK off-trade, following its resounding success in the US market. As with the recent craze around blonde-roast coffee, this version is a lighter take on the coffee flavor, meaning fans of heavy coffee stouts or other rich brews will be left with something to be desired.Blue Moon came about in 1995 out of a love for Belgian style wheat ales, which he acquired at the University of Brussels while earning his Ph.D. in brewing. Brewmaster Keith Villa began his beer-making journey as many people do – with a passion for drinking and home brewing. He began his attempt at making beer in his own dorm room at the University of Colorado in 1983, fueled by his knowledge and studies of science. Ultimately, Blue Moon’s craft beer lawsuits and trademark disputes were thrown out, but there are still many beer lovers and industry experts who worry about the impact of big companies labeling themselves as “craft.” Talk about breaking from tradition, Blue Moon’s latest seasonal release is an unlikely combination of beer and coffee that attempts to maintain at least some of the classic wheat beer flavor. Although he intended on pursuing a career as a pediatrician, a flyer from Coors Brewing inspired him to work as a fermentation researcher with the beer giant.