Sunday Night Suds - Pale Moon

This week's Sunday Night Suds review looks at the Blue Moon Brewing Co.'s latest offering - Pale Moon.

I first encountered this beer in late November 2008 when I needed to fill some time when a part in Queens Supreme Court was down for lunch. Since I had less than an hour, I went to visit Beer Garden, a hidden gem of a beer store located just over the Van Wyck off Hillside Avenue. While browsing the aisles of diverse micro, craft and imported beer, I came across a Brewmaster's Special box of Blue Moon containing four regular Blue Moon, four Full Moon (their Winter seasonal brew) and four Pale Moon. I knew that I had to try it.

The Pale Moon bills itself as a Belgian Pale Ale. As noted by the experts at Beer Advocate:

Belgian Pales consume the Belgian brewing scene, and were initially brewed to compete with Pilseners during the WWII time frame. They differ from other regional Pale Ale varieties, by traditionally being less bitter, using aged hops for a delicate hop finish, and boasting sweetish to toasty malt overtones. They should be decanted properly, leaving the yeast in the bottle. This will showcase their brilliant color range from pale straw yellow to amber hues. Most will be crowned with thick, clinging, rocky white heads. Flavors and aromas will vary. Some have natural spice characters from yeast and hops, while others are spiced.

In fairness to BA, the Blue Moon Pale Moon is nothing like the definition they utilize for "Belgian pales." The beer itself is not only "less bitter" there is basically no hop taste or bitterness at all. I am unsure why this would be a called a Pale Ale as it goes well beyond pilsner and almost reaches the weak lager like state.

Having said that, the beer went OK with our SB supper of heroes, chips (w/salsa and home made guac) and skinless hot wings. However, the Pale Moon's flavor was overwhelmed by many of the dishes so that the pairing was more of a "this does not clash with my meal" and less of "the flavors go well together.

If I was looking to introduce a beer to someone who drank chardonnay I would probably pick this brew (provided that I could find it in six or twelve packs). Draw your own conclusion by picking up Pale Moon at your local beer store.

Pale Moon Belgian Pale Ale is under the kashruth supervision of the Orthodox Union, as are all other beer produced by parent Coors Brewing Co. of Golden, Colorado. For the experts take on Pale Moon, please click here http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/306/42887 .

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver.

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