Blue Moon beer is not made by Anheuser-Busch, but rather by Coors Brewing Company, which is now part of Molson Coors Beverage Company. It is important to clarify this misconception because the ownership of a beer brand can greatly influence its production, distribution, and overall character.
Blue Moon is a unique and popular beer that has gained a significant following since its creation in 1995. It was actually developed by Keith Villa, a brewmaster employed by Coors. The story behind Blue Moon's creation is quite fascinating and adds to its allure.
Back in the mid-1990s, craft beer was starting to gain traction in the United States, and consumers were becoming more adventurous in their beer choices. Coors recognized this growing trend and wanted to tap into the craft beer market. They saw an opportunity to create a Belgian-style wheat beer, a style that was not widely available at the time.
Keith Villa, a Belgian beer enthusiast and Coors brewmaster, was given the task of creating this new beer. He drew inspiration from his travels in Belgium and set out to brew a beer that captured the essence of Belgian witbiers. Witbiers are known for their light, refreshing character, subtle spiciness, and citrusy notes.
Villa brewed the first batch of Blue Moon in the basement of Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. This location adds a unique touch to Blue Moon's origin story and further reinforces its connection to Coors. The beer was initially served exclusively at the SandLot Brewery, a brewpub located inside Coors Field.
Blue Moon quickly gained popularity among patrons of the SandLot Brewery and eventually expanded to other locations in Colorado. Its success led Coors to officially launch Blue Moon as a standalone brand in 1995, making it more widely available to beer enthusiasts across the country.
Despite Blue Moon's association with Coors, it has maintained its craft beer image and reputation. This is an important distinction because, in the beer industry, the term “craft beer” typically refers to independently owned breweries producing limited quantities of beer, often with a focus on quality and innovation.
Blue Moon's success can be attributed to its unique flavor profile and widespread availability. Its smooth and creamy texture, combined with the subtle spiciness from the addition of coriander and the refreshing citrus notes from the use of Valencia orange peel, make it a highly enjoyable beer for many.
In recent years, there has been some controversy surrounding Blue Moon's classification as a craft beer due to its ownership by a large brewing corporation. However, it is worth noting that Blue Moon is still brewed using the original recipe developed by Keith Villa, and it continues to be a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
To summarize, Blue Moon beer is not made by Anheuser-Busch but by Coors Brewing Company, now part of Molson Coors Beverage Company. Its creation in 1995 by brewmaster Keith Villa in the basement of Coors Field adds an intriguing touch to its origin story. Despite its association with a large brewing corporation, Blue Moon has maintained its craft beer reputation and popularity due to its unique flavor profile and widespread availability.