Belgian or wheat beers like Blue Moon or Hoegaarden are often paired with an orange slice because it complements their light, citrusy flavor.
These beers are also typically brewed with citrus peels and coriander so the slice of orange can really enhance these notes.
But what are some other examples? And how do you drink a beer that comes with an orange slice?
If you're a fan of different types of beers, I'll also mention a few other orange-flavored beers where you can get that citrusy kick too!
What Beer Do You Put an Orange Slice In?
Any Belgian-style brew. Witbiers, or white beers, are especially nice for this reason because they have a lot of complementary flavors to go along with the citrus. Blue Moon is an excellent choice since it's already been flavored by oranges and coriander.
It's important to know what beer you're drinking when deciding what type of fruit to serve with it: a slice of lime is a better choice for a Mexican lager, while some ales may be better off without any garnish at all!
Here are a few examples of beers that pair well with an orange slice:
- Blue Moon Belgian White Ale: a cloudy, unfiltered wheat ale with mild citrus notes.
- Hoegaarden Witbier: similar to Blue Moon but a little more lemony.
- Shock Top Belgian White: a spiced Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with real orange, lemon and lime peels.
What Are Some Other Beers with Orange Flavor?
It's not just wheat beers that have that orange flavor though! If you're more of an IPA or lager drinker, there are a few orange-flavored beer options for you as well:
- New Belgium Citradelic: an IPA brewed with Citra hops and tangerine peel.
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: a West Coast pale ale with grapefruit and orange notes alongside piney hops.
- Bud Light Orange: a light lager brewed with real lime and orange peels.
- Coors Slice: a refreshing lager with a hint of orange.
Just know that the orange flavor in all beers (including wheat) is going to be subtle, so don't expect them to be like drinking orange juice. For that, you want to look for a shandy or radler instead.
Do You Squeeze the Orange in a Blue Moon?
When you are served an orange slice with your beer, it's up to you whether or not you want to squeeze the fruit into your drink.
Muddling the orange can release more of its juices and enhance those citrusy flavors even further. But if you want more or a subtle hint of orange, either leave it on the edge of the glass, or just float it on top of the beer.
Do You Eat the Orange After You've Finished Your Beer?
If you choose to drink your beer with the orange slice intact, it's perfectly okay to take a bite out of the fruit afterward!
That's why most places serve oranges that are deliciously sweet and ripe: they're meant to be eaten—you'll just need to find a way to get the slice out of the glass.
What Oranges Do You Use for Blue Moon Beer?
Valencia oranges are used when brewing Blue Moon because they are much sweeter than the traditional curacao oranges used in other Belgian witbiers.
Not only do they impart zest to the beer through their peel, but by using them as a garnish too, you'll really bring out the orange and coriander aromas.
That said, any type of ripe, sweet orange will do.