If you've been following, I've been on an IPA run the past couple weeks with Mike's Brew Review. The two previous seemed a little sweet for my drinkability tastes, so I've been searching for something a little more dry and bitter. I think I found an example in the Ranger IPA from New Belgium Brewery.
You can check out the full review and video on the blog, or just read below for my tasting notes. I'd love to hear your take on it.
Review of New Belgium Ranger IPA
Packaging
This is probably one of my favorite bottle designs in fact. It is simple, two colored and bold. I’m a sucker for brown and green as well, so this really drew my attention. I also like the fact that it is from New Belgium brewery. I think they make a few good beers and have the 1554, which I really like. The package tells me its 6.5% ABV and has a nice little saying on it…â€Are you a hoppinsta? Thank our beer Rangers for inspiring (and begging for) this well-balanced Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hopped IPA. 70 BU’s.
I appreciate a little info on the bottle.
Appearance
A light copper color with an off white fluffly head, this beer definitely looks appetizing. The head continues to hold the sides while you drink the beer, some nice lacing.
Smell
Having brewed with Cascade hops a few times now, I can really taste and smell the hops. One of the reasons I wanted to brew beer was so I could learn more about all the ingredients that go into beer. It is cool really being able to recognize strains of hops. Knowledge in beer +1!
Taste
This being an American IPA I was expecting something more sweet like the Surley and Bells Two Hearted. This one is a bit more dry, and I like that. I also like whiskey/water kind of guy, so I feel a more dry IPA is my flavor. However, it does leave a longer bitter aftertaste that I think could get old. However, by that time it may not matter.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, this beer fizzies my tongue more than the Bell’s did. If you saw that video, I remarked that the first drink gave that to me, but not so much after wards. The New Belgium Ranger IPA definitely has a little sting to it every time I take a drink.
Drinkability
I could definitely start a night off with this. I’m not sure if the longer bitter after taste is cool with me yet. I’d have to try and make a night of it to give a 100% answer. For as good as its worth though, I will for sure give it a try with this one.
Overall
I think this is a pretty good beer. I do like it and I think I’ve finally found an American IPA that I could be a session beer for me. I’ll have to give it a try. I’ll update once I make that attempt. Could be this weekend!!! I recommend giving the New Belgium Ranger IPA a try if you like hops and like a little more dry flavored IPA.