Blue Moon Rounder Belgian-Style Pale

Pours a deep reddish amber, with one finger head. Quick dissipation and average lacing in the head.

The nose is malt, and subtle piney hops. The taste is mostly roasted malt with a subtle piney hop. More roasted character than I expected in a pale ale, and not quite enough hops to balance. A medium light body, moderate high carbonation.

Not a bad beer, but not what I expected with the label "pale ale".

I wasn't really aware that pale ales were not round enough, but apparently Blue Moon's Rounder Belgian-style Pale Ale asserts that claim. The beer pours a clear amber, with a smell that's strong on yeast with a little floral hint. It's pleasant, and definitely points toward the Belgian style.

The flavor has a malty sweetness to it, with just a little bit of bitterness in the finish. There's enough carbonation here to keep things interesting, but it isn't overly carbonated.

This is a good beer. It isn't great. I guess this is what happens when you try to blend a couple of different styles together. It isn't Belgian enough to be a Belgian, and it isn't hoppy enough to be a traditional pale ale. It's just somewhere in the middle. Most likely you're going to drink this beer because it was in a sampler you purchased. It isn't the reason you bought the sampler, but it's plenty steps above a lot of other beers, pour one happily. After you've finished all the beer you really wanted, that is.