As a beer enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting many different brews from around the world. One of my favorite styles of beer is the Belgian-style wheat ale, such as the popular Shock Top. Its refreshing blend of citrus and spices makes it a fantastic choice for a warm summer day or a casual get-together with friends. However, sometimes it’s nice to branch out and try new beers that share similar flavors. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing five alternatives to Shock Top that I’ve personally tasted and enjoyed.
1. Hoegaarden Witbier
2. Blue Moon Belgian White
3. Allagash White
4. New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White
5. Victory Golden Monkey Tripel
1. Hoegaarden Witbier
Origin and Brew Methods
Hoegaarden, a classic Belgian Witbier, has been brewed since 1445 in the village of Hoegaarden, Belgium. Pierre Celis, a milkman, revitalized the recipe in the 1960s, making it the popular choice it is today. This beer uses a traditional brewing process with a combination of barley malt, raw wheat, water, hops, coriander, and Curaçao orange peel.
Taste Profile
Hoegaarden Witbier is a smooth, light-bodied beer with a slightly hazy, pale golden appearance. Its aroma consists of a beautiful blend of citrus, spices, and yeast. The taste is well-balanced with a refreshing citrusy zing, subtle hints of spices, and a smooth, creamy finish. I find Hoegaarden to be a perfect alternative to Shock Top, as it offers a similar taste profile with a more authentic Belgian experience.
2. Blue Moon Belgian White
Origin and Brew Methods
Blue Moon Belgian White was first brewed in 1995 by Keith Villa at the Sandlot Brewery in Denver, Colorado. This beer is brewed using a mix of malted barley, white wheat, Valencia orange peel, and coriander. Blue Moon uses a traditional Belgian brewing technique that includes a high percentage of unmalted wheat, contributing to its cloudy appearance.
Taste Profile
Blue Moon Belgian White is a medium-bodied beer with a hazy golden color and a creamy white head. The aroma is a delightful blend of citrus, spices, and a touch of sweetness. The taste is very similar to Shock Top, offering a refreshing orange flavor, subtle coriander spiciness, and a smooth, creamy finish. Blue Moon is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an American-brewed alternative to Shock Top with a similar flavor profile.
3. Allagash White
Origin and Brew Methods
Allagash White, a Belgian-style wheat beer, was first brewed in 1995 by Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. This beer is crafted using a mix of malted and unmalted wheat, along with oats, two-row barley, and European hops. The brewing process also includes the addition of coriander and Curaçao orange peel.
Taste Profile
Allagash White is a light-bodied, hazy golden beer with a frothy white head. The aroma is a pleasant combination of citrus, spices, and a hint of banana. The taste offers a refreshing citrus flavor, complemented by a subtle spiciness and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Allagash White is another fantastic alternative to Shock Top, offering a more complex and refined flavor profile while maintaining the same refreshing qualities.
4. New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White
Origin and Brew Methods
New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White is a Belgian-style wheat ale brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. This beer is crafted using a blend of pale and white wheat malts, along with Nugget and Cascade hops. The brewing process includes the addition of ground Seville orange peel and freshly ground coriander.
Taste Profile
Fat Tire Belgian White is a medium-bodied, hazy golden beer with a fluffy white head. The aroma consists of a delightful blend of citrus, spices, and a touch of sweetness. The taste offers a refreshing orange flavor, complemented by a subtle spiciness and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White is an excellent alternative to Shock Top, providing a similar flavor profile with a slightly more robust body.
5. Victory Golden Monkey Tripel
Origin and Brew Methods
Victory Golden Monkey Tripel is a Belgian-style Tripel ale brewed by Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. This beer is brewed using Pilsner malt, Tettnang and Hallertau hops, and a Belgian yeast strain. The brewing process also includes the addition of spices, such as coriander and orange peel.
Taste Profile
Victory Golden Monkey Tripel is a medium to full-bodied beer with a golden color and a creamy white head. The aroma is a complex blend of citrus, spices, and a touch of banana. The taste is rich and malty, with a noticeable sweetness, fruity esters, and a warming alcohol presence. While Victory Golden Monkey Tripel has a higher ABV (9.5%) compared to Shock Top, it still offers a pleasing combination of citrus and spices that fans of Shock Top may enjoy.
Conclusion
In this blog post, I’ve shared five beers similar to Shock Top that I’ve personally tasted and enjoyed. Each of these alternatives offers a unique take on the Belgian-style wheat ale, with varying degrees of citrus, spices, and body. While some may be more authentic Belgian representations, like Hoegaarden Witbier, others offer an American twist, such as Blue Moon Belgian White, Allagash White, New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White, and Victory Golden Monkey Tripel.
Of these five alternatives, my personal recommendation for a beer similar to Shock Top would be Hoegaarden Witbier. Its refreshing taste, smooth mouthfeel, and authentic Belgian roots make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to branch out from Shock Top but still enjoy a flavorful, citrusy beer. Cheers!
FAQs
Is Shock Top similar to Blue Moon?
Yes, Shock Top and Blue Moon are similar in that they are both Belgian-style wheat beers with citrus flavors. They share similarities in terms of their brewing process and ingredients, including the use of wheat, orange peel, and coriander. While they have their own distinct characteristics, fans of Blue Moon may also enjoy Shock Top as they offer a comparable flavor profile.
What is the difference between Shock Top and Blue Moon?
Shock Top and Blue Moon are both popular Belgian-style wheat beers that are commonly found in the United States. While they share some similarities, there are a few key differences between the two.
Blue Moon is brewed by the Molson Coors Beverage Company and has been around since 1995. It is known for its smooth and refreshing taste, with subtle notes of orange peel and coriander. Blue Moon has a slightly hazy appearance and a medium body.
Shock Top, on the other hand, is brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev and was introduced in 2006. It is characterized by its citrusy flavor profile, with a stronger emphasis on orange zest. Shock Top has a slightly cloudier appearance and a lighter body compared to Blue Moon.
In summary, the main differences between Shock Top and Blue Moon lie in their flavor profiles and brewing companies. While both are Belgian-style wheat beers, Shock Top tends to have a more pronounced citrus flavor, while Blue Moon offers a smoother and more balanced taste.
Are Blue Moon and Shock Top the same?
No, Blue Moon and Shock Top are not the same. While both are popular Belgian-style wheat beers, they are produced by different breweries. Blue Moon is brewed by the Molson Coors Brewing Company, while Shock Top is brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Each beer has its own distinct flavor profile and characteristics.
What does Blue Moon taste similar to?
Blue Moon is a Belgian-style wheat beer that is often described as having a smooth and refreshing taste. It has hints of citrus, particularly orange, as well as subtle notes of coriander and spice. Some people compare its flavor profile to other wheat beers, but Blue Moon has its own unique balance of flavors.
What beer is similar to Shock Top?
A beer that is similar to Shock Top is Blue Moon Belgian White. Both beers are Belgian-style wheat ales with citrus flavors and a hint of spice.
Do they still make Shock Top beer?
Yes, Shock Top beer is still being produced.
