Blue Moon is one of the most popular Belgian-style wheat beers in the United States. It is brewed by the Molson Coors Brewing Company and has a smooth, slightly sweet taste with hints of coriander and orange peel.
Many beer drinkers enjoy Blue Moon for its refreshing flavor profile that differs from traditional lagers and pilsners. However, some people want to know exactly how many calories are in a Blue Moon beer before they indulge in a pint. Knowing the calorie count can help you make informed decisions about your beer consumption.
Calories in a 12 Ounce Blue Moon Beer
A standard 12 ounce serving of Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale contains:
- Calories: 153
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Protein: 1.1 g
- Fat: 0 g
The calorie count is moderate for a beer of this style. Many domestic lagers and light beers contain around 100 calories per 12 ounce serving. So Blue Moon has slightly more calories than typical light beers, but fewer calories than higher alcohol craft beers which can top 200+ calories per serving.
One 12 ounce serving of Blue Moon contains 153 calories, coming entirely from carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. There is no fat in Blue Moon beer.
The carbohydrate content makes up the majority of calories. A 12 ounce Blue Moon supplies 12.3 grams of carbs.
Calories in Blue Moon Packaged in Different Serving Sizes
Blue Moon is a popular beer served in bars, restaurants, at sporting events, and more. You may see it poured in different serving sizes besides the standard 12 ounce serving.
Here is the calorie count for Blue Moon packaged in different serving sizes:
12 Ounce Bottle or Can
– Calories: 153
– Carbs: 12.3g
– Protein: 1.1g
16 Ounce Can
– Calories: 204
– Carbs: 16.4g
– Protein: 1.5g
18 Ounce Can
– Calories: 230
– Carbs: 18.5g
– Protein: 1.7g
20 Ounce Pint
– Calories: 255
– Carbs: 20.5g
– Protein: 1.8g
24 Ounce Can
– Calories: 306
– Carbs: 24.6g
– Protein: 2.2g
25 Ounce Can
– Calories: 319
– Carbs: 25.8g
– Protein: 2.3g
As you can see, the calorie and carb count scales up proportionally as the serving size increases. A good rule of thumb is a 12 ounce Blue Moon has about 153 calories, and there are about 51 calories in every additional 4 ounces of beer.
Calories Compared to Other Beer Styles
Blue Moon has a medium calorie count compared to other popular beer styles:
| Beer Style | Calories (12oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Light Beer | 100-125 |
| Blue Moon | 153 |
| IPA | 150-200 |
| Stout | 175-250 |
| Imperial IPA | 200-350 |
As you can see, popular domestic light beers like Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite range from 100-125 calories per 12 oz serving.
Blue Moon sits right in the middle, with more calories than light beer but less than heavier beers like stouts and IPAs.
Overall, Blue Moon has a moderate calorie count for a beer. It’s a nice option if you want more flavor and strength than a light beer, but with more restraint than heavier high-gravity beers.
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Several factors impact the calorie content in different beers:
Alcohol Content
Higher alcohol beers contain more calories. For example, an Imperial IPA with 9% ABV will have considerably more calories than a session IPA with 5% ABV.
Blue Moon has an alcohol content of 5.4% ABV, which is moderate but not extremely high or low.
Ingredients
The types and amounts of grains, malt, hops, yeast and other ingredients impact a beer’s calorie content. More complex recipes with more specialty grains tend to be higher in calories than simpler light lagers.
Serving Size
As mentioned earlier, the serving size directly impacts the number of calories you consume. A pint (16 oz) of Blue Moon will have more calories than a standard 12 oz bottle.
Brewing Process
How the beer is fermented and filtered during brewing affects the final calorie content. Generally speaking, ales tend to have more calories than lagers.
Ways to Reduce Calories in Blue Moon
If you’re watching your calorie intake but don’t want to give up Blue Moon completely, here are some serving tips:
– Ask for a 12 ounce pour instead of 16 ounces. This will save you about 50 calories.
– Switch to Blue Moon LightSky. It’s a new95 calorie version of Blue Moon.
– Skip the orange slice garnish. This eliminates minimal calories, but every bit helps.
– Drink Blue Moon less frequently or only on certain occasions. Moderation is key for any higher calorie drink.
– Pair your beer with low calorie foods like fresh vegetables to help balance your meal.
– Drink water in between beers to help pace yourself and stay hydrated.
Nutrition Facts Panel
Here is the official nutrition facts panel for Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale:
This gives you an exact breakdown of calories, carbs, protein, and ingredients in Blue Moon.
As you can see, a 12 ounce serving contains 153 calories, mostly from carbs with a small amount of protein.
Beer and Weight Loss
You may be wondering if you can drink Blue Moon beer and still lose weight. The answer is yes – you can work occasional beers into a weight loss diet by making adjustments to other foods and beverages that day.
Here are some tips:
– Stick to just 1 or 2 beers max per day to limit excess calorie intake. Moderation is key.
– Reduce your other carb and calorie intake that day to allow for the beer. For example, have a light salad instead of a heavy pasta dish.
– Increase exercise on days you drink beer to burn additional calories and continue creating a calorie deficit. Even light exercise like a walk can go a long way.
– Drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking to prevent overconsumption and stay hydrated.
– Weigh yourself regularly while drinking beer and make adjustments if needed to keep losing weight at a steady pace.
Health Impact of Beer
While an occasional Blue Moon is perfectly fine for most healthy adults, drinking too much can negatively impact your health. Here are some things to keep in mind:
– Beer has a diuretic effect, causing you to urinate more frequently and potentially become dehydrated. Be sure to drink water before, during, and after drinking.
– Excessive beer consumption can contribute to increased belly fat over time. Keep your intake moderate.
– Beer provides empty calories without much nutritional value. To get nutrients, be sure to also eat a balanced diet.
– The alcohol in beer can impair coordination, judgment, and decision-making skills. Always drink responsibly.
– Long term heavy drinking is associated with serious health risks like liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and neurological issues.
The key is moderation. Enjoy beers like Blue Moon sensibly as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, and avoid going overboard. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the health effects of beer consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the calorie content in Blue Moon beer:
Does Blue Moon have more or less calories than other beers?
Blue Moon has a medium calorie count compared to other beers. It has more calories than light beers (100-125 calories per 12oz) but less than heavier beers like IPAs (150-200+) and stouts (175-250+).
Is Blue Moon considered a light beer?
No, standard Blue Moon is not considered a light beer. It has around 50-75 more calories than typical light beers. However, Blue Moon does make a lighter version called Blue Moon LightSky that only has 95 calories.
Does the orange slice add calories to Blue Moon?
The orange garnish adds minimal calories to Blue Moon. An orange slice has very few calories, so the impact is negligible. However, you can skip the garnish if you are strictly monitoring calorie intake.
Is Blue Moon gluten-free?
No, standard Blue Moon contains gluten from barley and wheat. However, they do offer a gluten-free version called Blue Moon Golden Ale made with gluten-free grains.
Does drinking Blue Moon lead to weight gain?
Drinking moderate amounts of Blue Moon can be worked into a weight loss diet. However, drinking beer in excess can contribute to weight gain over time due to the extra calories. Moderation is key.
The Bottom Line
A standard 12 ounce serving of Blue Moon Belgian White beer contains 153 calories, made up mostly of carbs with a small amount of protein. It has a medium calorie count compared to other beers. While Blue Moon should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, it can easily be incorporated into a weight management plan. Just be mindful of serving sizes and overall calorie intake when indulging in this popular Belgian-style wheat beer.
