Blue Moon is a popular Belgian-style wheat beer brewed by Molson Coors Brewing Company. With its cloudy, unfiltered appearance and unique blend of spices, Blue Moon stands out from typical domestic lagers and offers a more complex, flavorful drinking experience.
Many beer drinkers choose Blue Moon for its accessibility – it has a clean, approachable taste without being overly bitter or challenging. However, some people with diabetes or others following a low-carb diet wonder if Blue Moon fits into their nutritional plan.
Understanding the carb and calorie content of your favorite beers can help you make informed choices about what and how much to drink. This article will provide a thorough breakdown of the carbs and other nutritional information in Blue Moon so you know exactly what you’re consuming.
Nutritional Facts for Blue Moon Belgian White Beer
Let’s start by looking at the complete nutritional profile of Blue Moon. The information below is based on one 12-ounce bottle or serving of Blue Moon Belgian White Beer:
Calories: 153
Beer gets nearly all of its calories from the alcohol and carbohydrates it contains. At 153 calories per 12oz serving, Blue Moon falls around average for the beer category. By comparison, regular Budweiser has 145 calories, Heineken has 142, and Guinness Draught has 126 per 12oz serving.
Carbohydrates: 12.6g
The majority of the calories in beer come specifically from its carbohydrate content. For Blue Moon, a 12oz bottle contains 12.6g of carbohydrates.
This carb count is on the lower end for wheat beers, which are known for being higher in carbs than some other beer styles. For example, Shock Top Belgian White Ale has 14g carbs and Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse has 16g per 12oz serving.
Sugars: 3g
Most of the carbs in beer come from alcohol (ethanol) and residual sugars left over from the brewing process. Blue Moon contains 3g of sugar per 12oz serving, which is also on the lower end compared to other wheat beers.
Protein: 1.5g
Beer contains small amounts of proteins that make it into the finished product from the grains used in brewing. Blue Moon has 1.5g of protein per 12oz bottle.
Fat: 0g
Pure alcohol contains minimal fat, and the brewing process filters out most of the fats from the grains used to make beer. As a result, a 12oz serving of Blue Moon contains 0g of fat.
Carb and Calorie Count in Other Blue Moon Varieties
In addition to the original Belgian White Beer, Blue Moon Brewing Company offers several seasonal flavors and specialty releases throughout the year. Here’s how some of the other Blue Moon varieties compare in terms of carb, calorie, and alcohol content:
Blue Moon Mango Wheat:
- Calories: 187
- Carbs: 16g
- ABV: 5.4%
Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale:
- Calories: 176
- Carbs: 15g
- ABV: 5.5%
Blue Moon LightSky Wheat:
- Calories: 95
- Carbs: 2.6g
- ABV: 4.0%
Blue Moon White IPA:
- Calories: 151
- Carbs: 12g
- ABV: 5.9%
As you can see, most of the specialty releases from Blue Moon are slightly higher in calories, carbs, and alcohol compared to the original Belgian White. The LightSky Wheat is the lowest in calories and carbs due to its lower alcohol percentage.
Comparing Blue Moon to Other Beer Styles
Putting Blue Moon’s carb and calorie content into perspective requires comparing it to some other popular beer styles:
Regular Lager:
Lagers like Budweiser, Coors, and Miller tend to be lower in carbs and calories because they are made with fewer grains than ales and often have lower alcohol percentages. For example, Bud Light has 6.6g carbs and 110 calories per 12oz.
IPA:
India Pale Ales range widely in their nutritional stats based on their alcohol content and how much residual sugar is left after fermentation. Generally speaking, IPAs tend to be relatively high in carbs and calories compared to lagers. For example, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA has 14g carbs and 180 calories per 12oz.
Stout:
The rich, dark malts used in stouts like Guinness impart more carbs and calories compared to lighter beers. Guinness Draught has 10g carbs and 126 calories per 12oz bottle.
Sour:
Beers that undergo sour fermentation tend to be slightly higher in carbs but not necessarily calories compared to traditional styles. New Belgium Sour Saison has 13g carbs and 130 calories per 12oz serving.
Compared to these other styles, Blue Moon Belgian White occupies a middle ground – more substantial than a light lager, but lighter than many ales or stouts in terms of carb and calorie content.
Tips for Drinking Blue Moon on a Low-Carb or Keto Diet
If you’re limiting your carb intake, especially following a keto diet, you may be able to work an occasional Blue Moon into your plan using the following strategies:
Carefully budget your daily carbs –
Account for the 13g carbs in one Blue Moon when planning your meals and snacks for the day. You may need to cut back on other sources like bread, fruit, etc.
Drink smaller servings –
Enjoy Blue Moon in an 8-10oz glass rather than a full pint to reduce the carb amount. Some bars even offer “short” pours.
Pair with low-carb foods –
Have your beer alongside low-carb snacks like wings, cheese, peppers, or nuts to help offset the carbs.
Drink very infrequently –
While many keto dieters completely avoid beer, having a Blue Moon just on special occasions may work if it fits your overall carb limit.
Switch to a low-carb alternative –
Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite both have around 3g carbs for a 12oz serving.
Dilute with seltzer or water –
Try mixing Blue Moon half-and-half with plain or flavored seltzer water to cut the carbs.
With smart portions, pairing, and substitutions, an occasional Blue Moon can likely fit into a low-carb eating plan. However, restraint is required to keep your overall carb consumption in check.
Factors That Impact the Carb and Calorie Content of Beer
There are several factors that influence the number of carbs and calories in a given beer:
Grain bill –
The types and amounts of malt, wheat, rice, etc used in the beer recipe impact the carbohydrate content. More grain means more carbs.
Adjuncts –
Ingredients added for flavor like fruit may add small amounts of sugar and carbs. Flavorings have a smaller effect than grains.
Yeast strain –
The yeast influences how much residual sugar remains after fermentation, affecting the final carb content.
Alcohol percentage –
Ethanol itself contributes about 2g carbs and 7 calories per gram, so higher ABV means more carbs and calories.
Serving size –
The carb and calorie counts are based on 12oz servings. Larger servings like pints contain more.
Brewing process –
Methods like lagering and filtering result in fewer residual carbs and proteins compared to ales and unfiltered beers.
So while all beer contains carbs, brewing methods and ingredients determine the specific amounts found in Blue Moon versus other styles.
Does Blue Moon Have More Carbs Than Other Beers?
Blue Moon Belgian White contains slightly fewer carbs than most other wheat beers, which are known as one of the higher-carb beer styles. It has around the same carb content as typical pale ales and India pale ales.
However, compared with light lagers like Bud Light and Coors Light, Blue Moon does have more carbs – roughly twice as many. The use of wheat gives Blue Moon’s grain bill more carbohydrate content than the rice and corn used in light lagers.
So while Blue Moon is moderate in carbs for an ale, it does have more carbs and calories than any light, low-carb lager option. Here’s how it specifically compares:
Blue Moon: 13g carbs
Bud Light: 6.6g carbs
Coors Light: 5g carbs
Miller Lite: 3.2g carbs
For the fewest carbs, light lagers can’t be beaten. But many beer drinkers are willing to accept more carbs in Blue Moon and other craft beers to enjoy their superior flavor.
Tips for Consuming Blue Moon on a Healthy Diet
While an occasional Blue Moon won’t derail your healthy diet, a few smart strategies can help you enjoy it guilt-free:
– Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Have a glass of water or seltzer between each beer.
– Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat a filling snack beforehand.
– Set a firm limit for yourself on the number you’ll drink, and stick to it.
– Avoid beer during the work week and save it for weekend evenings.
– Pair your beer with a nutritious meal rather than drinking it alone.
– Skip the pint glass and opt for a smaller 8-10oz serving.
– Avoid beer completely if you have issues with excess weight or alcohol misuse.
Following healthy habits can let you enjoy one of your favorite brews in moderation without guilt or overindulgence.
The Bottom Line
Most beers contain at least moderate amounts of carbs and calories, and Blue Moon is no exception. While lighter than many styles, Blue Moon Belgian White still packs over 150 calories and 12g of carbs per 12oz bottle.
If you’re limiting carbs, especially on keto, light lagers have around half the carbs of Blue Moon. But with careful portioning and pairing, Blue Moon can potentially fit into a low-carb lifestyle. As with any beer, practice moderation and consider your own dietary needs and goals.
While the carbs and calories in Blue Moon must be accounted for, the wheat beer flavor profile is worth it for many. Using the nutritional info provided here, you can now enjoy this Belgian-inspired American classic to its fullest!
