Light beer has an incredibly strong foothold in the alcoholic beverage industry. Most breweries with light beers in their portfolios started with an original, “heavy” rendition–including Blue Moon. What’s the difference between Blue Moon and Light Sky?
The differences between Blue Moon and Light Sky are the taste, ingredients, and calorie count. Blue Moon has 168 calories with 14 grams of carbs, whereas Light Sky has 95 calories with 3.6 grams of carbs. They have similar recipes. Blue Moon is brewed with Valencia orange peel and coriander. Light Sky is brewed with tangerine orange peel and no coriander.
Continue reading for more information on the differences between Blue Moon and Light Sky, including ABV, additional ingredients, and price.
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Blue Moon vs Light Sky comparison overview
Blue Moon is one of the most popular beers in the United States.
It was first brewed in 1995 as “Bellyslide Wit” at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. It eventually changed its name and kept the same thirst-quenching recipe.
Light Sky is a new beer that came to play in the light beer market. It has a similar profile to Blue Moon but with fewer calories and an equally satisfying and refreshing taste.
Light Sky is the light version of Blue Moon. It has 95 calories, and Blue Moon has 168. Light Sky has a 4% ABV compared to Blue Moon’s 5.4%. Each is brewed with orange peel and wheat, lending both a pleasant mouthfeel and a citrus taste. They are sold in any retail location that sells beer. Blue Moon has more packaging options available.
The main differences between the two brands are the calorie count and flavor; Light Sky, of course, has fewer calories than Blue Moon but sacrifices some flavor.
| Comparison | Blue Moon | Light Sky |
| Calories | 168 | 95 |
| Carbs | 14 grams | 3.6 grams |
| ABV | 5.4% | 4% |
| Ingredients | Valencia orange peel, white wheat, yeast, hops, coriander, oats, corn syrup | Tangerine orange peel, wheat malt, specialty yeast, corn syrup, and Azaaca hops |
| Taste | Sweet orange, citrus, wheat, | Light orange, wheat |
| Aroma | Robust and sweet orange peel, citrus | Subtle orange notes, bread-like |
| Cost | $10.99 per 6-pack | $12 per 6-pack |
| Popularity | $370 million in sales (2021), 1% market share (2018) | One of the most popular light beer styles, sold at any retail location including Walmart and Target |
| History | First brewed by Sandlot Brewery as “Bellyslide Wit” in 1995 | First introduced in February 2020 |
What is the difference between Blue Moon and Light Sky?
Blue Moon and Light Sky are completely different beers. Light Sky is the light version of Blue Moon and has fewer calories and carbs with a different ingredient list.
The main differences between Blue Moon and Light Sky are in the:
- Calories
- Carbs
- Alcohol Content (ABV)
- Ingredients
- Taste, flavors, and aroma
- Cost
- Popularity and sales
- History
Blue Moon
Blue Moon was originally brewed in 1995 by The SandLot Brewery in Portland, Oregon, out of love for baseball. At that time, it was called “Bellyslide Wit.”
Over time, the name changed, but the ingredients remained the same, with most of the flavor coming from oranges, select grains, and spices.
Blue Moon has 168 calories with 14 grams of carbs. Its signature flavor comes from the white wheat, Valencia orange peel and coriander used during brewing. It’s one of the most popular beers in the United States, with roughly 1% of the market share. A six-pack of cans costs about $11.
Blue Moon is and always has been owned by Molson and Molson Coors.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Blue moon’s nutrition facts lend to its drinkability.
Blue moon has 168 calories in one 12-ounce serving. It has 14 grams of carbs and zero grams of fat with 96 mg of potassium.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Blue Moon has a standard alcohol volume that’s balanced by its sweet flavors and aromas.
Blue Moon has a 5.4% ABV and nine IBUs. It is not bitter.
Ingredients
Blue Moon has four main beer ingredients: water, hops, yeast, and barley. Its signature flavors come from somewhere else.
Blue Moon is brewed with white wheat, Valencia orange peel, coriander, and oats. The orange gives it sweetness, and the wheat and oats lend body and mouthfeel. The coriander adds spiciness.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Blue Moon gets a lot of its flavor, taste, and aroma from the orange peel and coriander. Like other beers that taste like Blue Moon, it’s brewed with at least 50% wheat in the malt bill.
If you want to learn more, I have entire articles about the taste and flavor of Blue Moon as well as beers that taste similar to Blue Moon!
Blue Moon tastes like orange citrus and coriander. It has a creamy mouthfeel from the oats used during brewing.
Cost
The demand for Blue Moon is through the roof. How much does it cost for a 6-pack?
A 6-pack of Blue Moon costs about $11 on average. It costs more in bottles compared to cans and can be bought in various sizes, including 15-pack 12-ounce cans and singular 24-ounce cans.
Popularity and sales
Blue Moon remains a popular beer style and makes up a large portion of the beer market in the United States.
Just less than $371 million in sales of Blue Moon occurred in 2021. In 2018, Blue Moon made up 1% of the US beer market shares, making it one of the most popular beers in the country.
History
Blue Moon wasn’t always called Blue Moon. In 1995, it was brewed for the first time under a different name.
Blue Moon was first brewed in 1995 as “Bellyslide Wit,” from The SandLot Brewery in Denver, Colorado. Brewed inside Coors Field, the beer’s name came from a passion for baseball. Eventually, the name changed to Blue Moon. Molson always owned it and then Molson Coors.
Light Sky
Light Sky was first brewed in 2020 and was always meant to be a light version of Blue Moon Belgian-style wheat. The beer has since become one of the most popular light beers on the market.
Light Sky has 95 calories with 3.6 grams of carbs. It has a prominent citrus orange taste from its tangerine orange peel ingredient and a medium body from the wheat used during brewing. It is a popular light beer option and is only sold in slim 12-ounce cans and on draft. It costs about $12 for a 6-pack.
Blue Moon Brewing Company, a subsidiary of Molson Coors Beverage Company, owns Light Sky.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Light Sky is the light version of Blue Moon, and therefore contains fewer calories.
Light Sky has 95 calories, 3.6 grams of carbohydrates and 1.1 grams of protein in one 12-ounce serving.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
The combination of low ABV and reduced calorie count in Light Sky makes it an approachable and drinkable beer.
Light Sky has a 4% ABV with 10 IBUs. Light Sky is not bitter.
Ingredients
Light Sky is brewed to have fewer calories than Blue Moon. This is done by adjusting the ingredients list; including the removal of coriander.
Light Sky is brewed with tangerine orange peel for a slightly different flavor than Blue Moon. It’s brewed with barley, wheat malt, corn syrup, and signature yeast. It is dry-hopped with Azaaca hops. It is not brewed with coriander.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Light Sky has a lighter Blue Moon taste but still contains that sweet citrus flavor from the orange peel used.
Light Sky tastes like tangerine oranges. It has a crisp and refreshing taste with a medium body and carbonated mouthfeel. It smells like orange and does not taste spicy.
Cost
Light Sky costs about the same as Blue Moon.
Light Sky costs $12 on average. It is only available on draft and in slim 12-ounce cans.
Popularity and sales
Light Sky has become so popular that it’s available at Target.
Light Sky has become one of the top-selling light beers in the United States, competing with Bud Light and Miller Lite to fill the gap in the citrus wheat light beer market.
History
Light Sky was first introduced into the Blue Moon Brewing Company portfolio in 2020.
Light Sky debuted in February 2020 as a light option to the flagship Blue Moon. Its recipe has remained the same since it was first brewed.