I’m not going to lie, Blue Moon is a bit of a guilty pleasure.  It may be brewed by Coors, and looked down upon by the beer elite, but my palate has found it a smooth, flavorful ale that’s also easy on the wallet.  It’s why a pitcher of Blue Moon was my first “legal” beverage back in college.

As I’ve grown older, and become more adventurous, I’ve also developed a love of pumpkin beers.  There really is nothing like a nice pumpkin and nutmeg flavored brew to signal the changing of the leaves and the start of the fall season.  So, I was thrilled when I found Blue Moon’s seasonal pumpkin blend while browsing in the local supermarket.

Sight:  Out of the bottle, a nice caramel amber color with a nice off-white head that’s quick to disapparate.

Smell:  The aromas are heavy on clove and all spice, with a bit of cinnamon accompanying the underlying hops you’d expect from an ale.

Taste: Smooth with a caramel malt base.  Very subtle hints of nutmeg and cloves, but not nearly as much flavor as expected. [A.B.V 5.7%]

Savor:  Very carbonated with the fizziness and bitterness you’d expect from a club soda.

Overall, this brew leaves one wanting more.  It goes down smooth, so its certainly not a chore to drink, but compared to other seasonal pumpkin brews, its lacking in the flavor that defines such specialties.  With each sip, one expects to be hit with by a freight train full of squash or cinnamon flavor, but it just doesn’t happen.  Quite frankly, its hard to tell the difference between this and their standard ale. 

Verdict:  An acceptable alternative to a regular ale, but not to other pumpkin brews.
Cost:  $7.99 for a 6 pack
Golden, CO
http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/