Full Moon Winter Ale

It’s the most wonderful time of the beer.

Winter brews go great at winter parties. Typically a little hoppier and a little heavier than your spring and summer beer, the brews that line the shelves during the holidays make you feel warm inside.

Just the other day, I commented that MillerCoors’ Blue Moon “doesn’t suck, but I don’t really care for it.” So I was surprised to find myself buying a six-pack of their seasonal beer called Full Moon.

Full Moon Winter Ale is defined as an “Abbey Ale brewed with a hint of dark Belgian sugar,” and knowing the girls I work with like Blue Moon, I got a six in addition to some other brews to try to make everyone happy at the office party.  Turns out, the guys all enjoyed and drank it.

The ale had a nice rich amber color and the sugary reference on the label did not make it too sweet… although when the Full Moon was gone and I switched to Sam Adams Winter Lager, the sweetness of Full Moon became a little more obvious compared to Sammy’s stronger taste.  The aroma was a little (just a little) nutty, probably from the brown sugar, and overall it had a malty, winter character.

The ABV was 5.6% – a bit higher than today’s average.

Considering that this is brewed by a major bottler, it’s actually pretty good… and I felt it was better than the Blue Moon.  An Abbey Ale it is not, but I’ll keep my eyes open for their other seasonals now that I have enjoyed this one.