In this beer blog, we are going to check out the sixth of seven beers from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer is part of their everyday line up and it is called Moon Man No Coast Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you know something about this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark golden to a light copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a citrus to earthy smell to the beer. It has a mango to citrus taste with a citrus bitter aftertaste.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Moon Man is a seriously cool cat. Always comfortable in his own skin, he never tries too hard. So cool we named our “no coast” pale ale after him.

You hold a session beer with a bright bold blend of five hops that flirt obligingly with the smooth malty backside. Don’t let this one lay around it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real.
Just be,

Paws for Reflection with New Glarus Brewing Company’s ‘Moon Man’ No Coast Pale Ale.

Daniel Carey (Diploma Master Brewer, New Glarus Brewing Company) is adept at expanding what we know (or think we know) about beer. He continues to challenge flavor possibilities unveiling “Moon Man” No-Coast Pale Ale. Dan is a huge fan of ‘big’ IPA’s and their powerful intense aromatics. It is thought that the popularity of the poignant aromas in big IPA’s are a reaction to the all too prevalent bland beers. However, these same large flavors and aromas make this particular style too intense for many. Some months ago, in well known Daniel Carey fashion, he set out to brew an idea in his head, hoping to pack all the wonderful and powerful aromatics and flavors that he loves in big IPA’s into a sessionable brew that all can enjoy. New Glarus Brewing Company takes one small step, and helps all their friends take one giant leap toward bridging the gap between these two extremes. As Daniel Carey says, “If big IPA’s were a reaction to bland beer, Moon Man is a reaction to extremism.”

True to style, Daniel took his time ensuring this ground breaking brew is exactly what it should be. He personally oversaw the hop harvest in the fields of Washington. He spent over 6 months painstakingly perfecting the hop blend alone. Finally utilizing 5 varieties of hops, of which three are not commonly used in American style ales. “Moon Man” is dry hopped 2 and a 1/2 times as much as is commonly practiced in dry hopped beer (2.25 pounds per barrel). It is powerfully aromatic, and pale golden in color. Like most of New Glarus Brewing Company’s brews, it is bottle fermented the old fashioned way, meaning there is no artificial carbonation. Don’t let this one lay around, it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real. Just be.

This beer is named after a seriously cool cat, who found his ‘forever’ home with Jared, a brewer at New Glarus Brewing Company. Moon Man-the-Cat is so easygoing and confident that even ‘dog’ people love him and this love is genuinely reciprocated. While the lineage of Moon Man-the-Cat is unknown due to his ‘alley’ origins, Moon Man-the-Cat is a friend to all. He takes no heed of the background of his new companions (or even whether they walk on two, or four feet). Jared oftentimes revels the brewery with tales of cat adventures. Moon Man-the-Cat is especially well known for being comfortable in his own skin, taking things as they come, and above all else, not trying too hard to impress. Perhaps this relaxed nature is what makes such a great impression on all those that he meets. It is in appreciation of the special bond that these two share, and in honor of all those that share an easygoing affection with their four legged friends, that New Glarus Brewing Company’s “Moon Man” No Coast IPA found its name. Thankfully, “Moon Man” No Coast Pale Ale shares it’s namesake’s roaming nature, and may be found throughout Wisconsin for the remainder of this year.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In the end, Moon Man can be paired with several different food styles.  This is a great beer.  I love the flavor and the nice malty backbone along with enough hops to make the hop head happy.  I did not like this beer at the very beginning of the beer glass but once I went to the bottom of the glass.  I wished the glass was full again.  I only had one bottle to try, enjoy and write this blog post.  This beer will be asked for when I have a friend comes back from Wisconsin along with your Black Top and Spotted Cow.  New Glarus is a great brewery and I believe they are exetremely under rated.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser