BLUE MOON GRAND CRU 2009

Belgian White gets a makeover

By JASON + TODD ALSTRÖM

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Doubling up on a beer (Double or Imperial) has been all the rage with brewers over the past decade. The style is achieved mainly by increasing the malt, hops or alcohol in order to create a bigger beer. Arguably, the trend is a bit overkill at times, but still quite popular, and brewers are constantly exploring new ways to push it.

Which leads us to this week's tasting: Blue Moon Grand Cru from Blue Moon Brewing Co., which is really Coors Brewing Co. brewing this up in Canada (just to let you know).

The Taste

The color is a cloudy, muddled, dirty straw-yellow with a thin wisp of white lace. Coriander strongly dominates the aroma, and only lets in a bit of orange peel, biscuity grain and a clean alcohol through. Same spicing as the original, just amped up to take on the girth of the malt and alcohol. Hints of bubblegum and medicinal flavors in the middle. Maltiness is tame and has no real complexity to it at all. Hops are there for bittering and are set on mute for flavor; the coriander seems to be handling the sweetness more. Breath of clean alcohol. Finishes a tad yeasty, dirty with the hard spicing lingering on the palate.

Final Thoughts

So Coors decides to jump into the big arena now, in what we view as a reactionary release of a big beer in the big-bottle format; another popular trend. Welcome, guys! Nothing out of the ordinary. Tastes like a beefed-up version of their standard Belgian White. A good example that bigger is not better, thus not worth the higher price tag it garners, in our opinion. If you're going to double down, bring it. The alcohol is 8.2-percent by volume and ran us $10.49 for the 750mL bottle. We score it at C-, but give it a try yourself.

FOR MORE INFO: BLUEMOONBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

RESPECT BEER. BEERADVOCATE.COM

Beer Events

Super Bowl of Beer Tastings
Feb 6th + Feb 7th

Kappy's Fine Wine & Spirits' Springfield and Chicopee locations are hosting a two-day tasting extravaganza. Beers from Casco Bay, Magic Hat, Sea Dog and Harpoon, and seasonal brews from Opa Opa, Shipyard and Sam Adams, will be on hand to try.

[Kappy's, 1755 Boston Rd., Springfield. 413.543.4495; 1461 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. 413.534.7810. Sat noon-6pm/Sun noon-5pm/free. kappys.com]

Grand Opening / Tasting Event
Feb 18th

Join the purveyors of the new Brookline Fine Wine and Gourmet for the grand opening at their new digs. From domestic and imported craft beer to a full selection of gourmet food and cheese, plus bread from Clear Flour Bakery, these guys bring over 50 years of combined experience to the new shop.

[brookline fine wine & gourmet, 27 Harvard St., Brookline. 6pm-9pm/free]