Monday 5 January 2015

Blue Moon

Not the song from American Werewolf, but a peculiar and ropey looking ale from North America.

I'm not (or wasn't) an ale girl, I don't mind a pint of lager but I've never been into ale. P likes it, he won't go out of his way to get it but he'll drink it if it's available, amongst other beers. So anyway we've had a real ale pub open in our nearest town, it's been a pub for a few hundred years, not a very nice one for the last couple of years and we wouldn't have been seen dead in it, but it was closed down at the end of the summer for refurbishment by new owners. They have their own mini brewery producing small quantities of real ales and a handful of pubs, set to grow I believe, all providing good beers and nice environment with friendly well trained staff. There's no big screen, no disco nights, no blaring music.

So in we went with friends the other night, first time, prior to having a meal in a little restaurant a few minutes walk away. P asked the staff which of the ales were most popular and ordered one, I asked for a lager but they only have one, 'Green Monkey', and it was out of stock! I was going to fall back on a small glass of red wine but the girl behind the bar said why not try this real ale which was like a cross between lager and ale. I was doubtful so she poured me a drop to taste, it was cloudy but she assured me that was how it should be. I tried it, quite liked it and ordered one. She put a slice of orange in it, said that was how the Americans served it. I asked if they got many Americans in but she said no not at all, but that's how they drink it in North America where it's brewed. Not sure how true that it.

I was amazed, I didn't think Americans did real ale, I didn't think they'd accept something cloudy and I didn't think a tiny brewery would be importing what must be small quantities of the stuff. She told me it was a reciprocal arrangement and that they were the only stockists in the UK. P said it looked like Scrumpy cider on a bad day.


I liked it, drank it all, snapped it to show you, the orange piece is still in there. Looks yuk doesn't it, but there you go, I'm a real ale girl now, well only if it's American. So far.


Have a good week.

Ronnie
xx

20 comments:

bobbsroom said...

Hello Ronnie and a Very Happy New Year to you.
I don't know about the orange but it is something i would try ( i tend to drink anything but sand )
If you are state side at any time i would recommend Sam Adams Winter Ale it is a very taste ale.

Have a good week and a great year

BOB Bx

Cat said...

Hey Ronnie...last time I was out with some friends from a project I was on, several of them ordered Blue Moon and it was served with a slice of orange. The orange was not dropped into the glass but rather set on the rim so that everyone had their choice to add the orange or not. They all seemed to enjoy it. ;)

Hugs and Blessings...
Cat

Cat said...

Hey Ronnie...last time I was out with some friends from a project I was on, several of them ordered Blue Moon and it was served with a slice of orange. The orange was not dropped into the glass but rather set on the rim so that everyone had their choice to add the orange or not. They all seemed to enjoy it. ;)

Hugs and Blessings...
Cat

Roz said...

Hi Ronnie, sounds like a nice place and a lovely night. interesting that a small bar would import from the US.

Glad you enjoyed it, I'm personally not a beer drinker.

Hugs
Roz

Ami Starsong said...

Sounds very interesting. I'll mention it to Dan as he is a 'real ale' drinker when in a pub. I can't abide anything with hops in it, but I am a cider girl.

It's certainly an easy name to remember when in a pub.

Hugs
Ami

Unknown said...

Is that Blue Moon? I love that beer! I'm American and I drink ale!! :) We even brew our own since moving to Holland where they don't have much variety in beers.

Glad you gave it a try!

Natasha

PK said...

Well come on over and try one here! There is one beer Nick orders that come with an orange slice, but I don't remember which one. Glad you liked it.

abby said...

It is quite popular here...i am not an ale or beer girl, will order one occasionally. Sounds like that little pub is a nice addition to going out options.
hugs abby

Hermione said...

I've never heard of putting an orange slice in a glass of beer, but here they do serve Corona (Mexican beer) with a slice of lime.

We were just discussing the difference between our beer and what you drink. I suspect ours is closer to lager than ale.

Hugs,
Hermione

stay at home mom said...

Hi Ronnie, I don’t know anything about beer and would go for a little cider or wine instead. Usually, I also go more for what the atmosphere is like and the pub you described sounds like one of those places, great to meet friends and have a fun time.

hugs

Nina

Katie said...

Sounds like you had a very fun time, Ronnie! :)

I know nothing at all about beer and such. Rob is the beer drinker around here. I prefer some white wine. I can tell you that when we were on our trip abroad last fall, we went to a sports bar to watch an American football game and Rob ordered me a french beer called 1664 blanc. It was served with a lemon wedge on the edge of the beer glass, which I squeezed into the glass. I actually enjoyed it. It was very light and tasty. So if you get a chance, perhaps it is worth a try if you can find it around. Kronenbourg is the maker of it. Anyway, that is all I have for you on that subject. Bring on the chardonnay! ;)

Many hugs and love,

<3 Katie

Aimless Rambling said...

I like Blue Moon and it is my go to drink with Pizza. An orange slice is the norm here; never saw it served w/o.

an English Rose said...

Hi Ronnie, I am totally clueless about beer. Hubby drinks all sorts of ales though. Mine's a Martini and lemonade!!
love Jan,xx

smuccatelli said...

Don't know anything about alcoholic beverages (I don't drink) but Blue Moom is popular here. It's available at our local supermarkets and I'm pretty sure the picture on the label features the orange slice.

ronnie said...

BOB - Thanks and to you. Will check to see if that ale is sold over here.
Cat - Interesting. I will order it again and ask for the orange to be put on the rim as would like to taste it without the orange in. Thank you.

Roz - I was surprised when she told me about it. They have some intersting beers and I might try a real ale one next time. Thanks.

Ami - Used to drink cider in my younger day but went over the top on it one night and can't abide the stuff now:) Thanks.

Natasha - I will definitely order it again. I've tried a little brewing but didnt turn out very well. Thank you.

PK - I'd love to:) Ask Nick if it's Blue Moon he drinks. Thanks.

Abby - Nice place and our sort of pub. Thanks.

Hermione - I drink Corona with a slice of lime, lovely. There is another served with lime but I can't think of the name. Thank you.

Nina - Red wine is reall my tipple though I do like a larger. Thank you.

Katie - A few mexican beers you have a slice of lime on the side. Not tried a beer with a lemon wedge. Thanks.

SG - Maybe we can have one together someday. Thanks.

Jan - Tried Martini a few times but couldn't take to it. Thanks.

Smuccatelli - Didn't know it was sold in bottles. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Autumn said...

Oh yes, Blue Moon always comes with a slice of orange! It really is a good beer, but it's funny to think of it as being a rare import from the US, as it's pretty run-of-the-mill here, haha. I love beer--I usually go for the IPA's or Irish red ales myself. Of course, everyone and their brother has a micro brewery over here now--we're trying our hardest to put Miller and Budweiser out of business

Anonymous said...

I always remember the Monty Python comment, of American beer being like making love in a canoe... it is fucking close to water.
Looks to cloudy to be appealing... but glad you liked it..
bottoms up
Red

Minielle Labraun said...

My Scotsman has had Blue Moon with the Orange slice and likes it!
I am not really a lager or beer drinker! I love Martinis the most. Sometimes I'll have gin or Whiskey. Otherwise I drink wine. Mind you, I'm a bit of a light weight. Two is my limit most times.

ronnie said...

Autumn - Yes I thought it funny that US would import to the UK as this chain is very small at the moment and I didn't realise there was a lot of micros over there. Thanks.

Red - I don't remember that line:) Thanks.

Minelle - I really did like it and would definitely order it again. I like a beer now and again, red wine is my tipple when I'm out. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Anonymous said...

I'm a fan of Blue Moon and I've always had it served with an orange slice. I also like oatmeal stout. My SIL will tell you my daughter and I only like a good beer if it doesn't taste like beer, lol.