Blue Moon Moon Haze 12Pk Cans

Blue Moon Moon Haze 12Pk Cans is a hazy pale ale brewed with dried whole oranges, oats, and wheat, packaged as twelve 12 oz cans at 5.7% ABV. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival in the Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale category, beating out 136 competing entries from breweries across the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.7%  |  IBU: 30  |  Origin: Golden, Colorado  |  Style: Hazy Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Blue Moon Brewing Company (Molson Coors)

Production & Heritage

Blue Moon Brewing Company, based in Golden, Colorado, and operated under the Molson Coors umbrella, developed Moon Haze as its first foray into the hazy beer segment using dried whole oranges — a technique that infuses citrus character directly into the body rather than relying solely on hop-derived fruit notes. The grain bill combines barley malt, wheat, and oats, producing the dense, pillowy mouthfeel characteristic of the style. Moon Haze receives a late hop addition during the boil and is then dry hopped with a special blend that has included hops from Yakima Chief Hops' 2020 Pink Boots Blend, featuring Azacca, El Dorado, Idaho Gem, and Loral varieties. The result is a beer engineered for maximum tropical fruit expression at a sessionable 5.7% ABV with a moderate 30 IBU bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The pour is deliberately hazy and golden, releasing an immediate wave of juicy orange and pineapple. Tropical mango follows alongside a subtle whisper of toasted coconut and a gentle floral hop character.

Taste: The entry is soft and creamy, dominated by ripe orange and tropical fruit layered over a wheat-and-oat base that gives the mouthfeel a silky, almost pillowy quality. Mid-palate brings a slightly sweet coconut undertone before a bitter orange note emerges, adding structure without sharpness. Pineapple and mango weave through the citrus core, creating a layered fruit profile that stays balanced against the grain sweetness.

Finish: A moderate hoppy pith bitterness lingers, keeping the beer from tipping into cloying sweetness. The close is smooth with just a touch of astringent bitterness that cleans the palate and invites the next sip.

How to Drink Moon Haze

Moon Haze is best served cold, poured into a tulip glass or Belgian-style goblet to concentrate its tropical aromatics, though drinking straight from the can on a warm day works just as well. For a Haze Shandy, combine with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus brightness. In a Beermosa, the juicy orange character pairs naturally with fresh-squeezed orange juice for a brunch alternative. A Michelada built with Moon Haze benefits from the beer's tropical backbone, which rounds out the lime and hot sauce components.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and summer gatherings where a crowd-friendly, approachable hazy is needed
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to the hazy pale ale style without overwhelming hop bitterness
• Stocking a tailgate or beach cooler with a sessionable, flavorful option
• Casual weeknight drinking when a full-bodied IPA feels like too much commitment

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Moon Haze taste like? Moon Haze delivers a juicy, tropical profile led by orange, pineapple, and mango with a subtle coconut undertone, carried on a silky, creamy mouthfeel from its wheat and oat base. It finishes with a moderate hoppy pith bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check.

How does Moon Haze compare to Voodoo Ranger Hazy IPA? Voodoo Ranger Hazy IPA from New Belgium typically runs higher in ABV (around 7.7%) and leans more aggressively into hop-forward tropical bitterness, while Moon Haze sits at a more sessionable 5.7% with a softer, creamier body built around its signature dried whole oranges. Moon Haze is generally the more approachable of the two for drinkers who prefer fruit-forward flavor without intense hop bite.

Is Moon Haze good for beginners? Moon Haze is an excellent entry point into hazy beers, as its 30 IBU bitterness is restrained enough to avoid overwhelming new craft beer drinkers while still delivering the juicy, tropical character the style is known for. The familiar orange flavor from Blue Moon's brand DNA also helps bridge the gap from lighter beers.

Where is Moon Haze made? Moon Haze is brewed by Blue Moon Brewing Company, headquartered in Golden, Colorado, and operating under the Molson Coors portfolio. Production follows Blue Moon's established Colorado brewing operations.

What foods pair well with Moon Haze? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's citrus-tropical notes cutting through charred richness. Thai coconut curry mirrors the subtle coconut undertone in the beer. Fish and chips find a natural companion in the crisp, hoppy finish. A mango and avocado salad echoes the tropical fruit character, while sharp cheddar provides a savory contrast to the beer's sweetness.

What sizes does Moon Haze come in? Moon Haze is commonly available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans, and may also be found in single-can and 6-pack formats depending on market availability.

Is Moon Haze worth the price? Moon Haze positions as an accessible, mainstream-craft hazy pale ale that competes directly in the everyday drinking tier — it delivers genuine hazy character and a Gold Medal-winning recipe at a price point consistent with widely distributed craft 12-packs, making it strong value for the category.

Why Moon Haze?

Moon Haze stands on a 2020 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal in the Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale category, a credential that confirms the recipe holds up against serious competition from dedicated craft breweries. The use of dried whole oranges — not orange peel, not extract, but whole fruit — is a production choice that distinguishes it from the majority of hazy beers relying exclusively on hop-derived fruit character. At 5.7% ABV and 30 IBU, it occupies a sweet spot between full-strength hazy IPAs and lighter wheat beers, making it versatile enough to drink across multiple occasions without palate fatigue. For drinkers who want hazy without heavy, and tropical without artificial, Moon Haze delivers on both counts with a proven recipe.