Beer Review: New Belgium Ranger IPA
Late last year, we caught wind that New Belgium was going to change the labels of some of its beers and simultaneously release a new beer called Ranger IPA. Ranger rounds out the new Explore Series of beers from New Belgium, which also includes old favorites: Mothership Wit, Abbey, and Trippel. All four beers have been branded with new, simple, two-tone labels that are a pretty dramatic departure from the artistically painted labels that have helped make New Belgium beer bottles so easily recognizable.
While I do like the new labels, I don't like them for New Belgium. It somehow feels like New Belgium is abandoning a part of the brand that everyone knows, that everyone appreciates, and that no other brewery can easily replicate. In looking at the labels here, it's easy to see that these new labels stand out. But admittedly, it's the new look that caught my eye when I was shopping this weekend - and lead me to pick up a six pack of Ranger IPA.
I like the story behind the beer: Ranger IPA is a tribute to New Belgium's regional representatives, or Beer Rangers as they're called. From the brewery:
Ever met a New Belgium Beer Ranger? They are our beloved folks out in the field. Spanning all 26 of our states from the Pacific to the Atlantic, our Beer Rangers do their best to protect, to pour and to partake. And explore many a beer from many a brewery, they do. The fellows up in the Northwest kept calling for “more hops!” Soon it became a common theme across the land. Rangers, fans and craft lovers everywhere were searching for hoppier beers.
So, here it finally is – New Belgium’s foray into the true American India Pale Ales. Bring out the hops! This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish, Ranger is a sessionable splendor for all you hopinistas. Thank your Beer Ranger!
Ranger IPA
At initial taste, I was pleasantly surprised. I expected some kind of familiar New Belgium character to come through in this beer, but it didn't for me. Instead citrusy, grassy, and a spicy notes carry this one. Hops are front and center: The hop bitterness is much more aggressive than I would have expected from New Belgium, and it stands alone without a real malty counterbalance. The finish is dry, bright and crisp with a subtle aftertaste. After a few sips, I pick up some subtle New Belgium malt familiarity in the finish - but the hops are the highligh here.
While I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a New Belgium IPA, I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Overall, I'd give Ranger a 3.75 / 5.0, and would definitely buy it again.
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Be sure to check out the interactive Rangerland webpage New Belgium created to tell the story behind, and promote the new beer. While I could do without the Ranger rap music video, I do like how New Belgium uses the site to introduce visitors to their regional representatives for the brewery and even gives you the opportunity to link up with them on Facebook. The site further demonstrates that Ranger is all about these guys.
Another interesting note: it appears that New Belgium may have made some slight adjustments to the beer since earlier news announcements as the beer is now listed as having 6.5% ABV and 70IBUs (as opposed to the 7%ABV and 60 IBUs earlier reported).
Finally, the six pack package refers you to newbelgium.com/explore, but there's nothing there yet but a message to 'please check back soon for more details'.
It will be interesting to see how New Belgium moves forward with its new beer series - to see if new series are introduced and/or to see where new beers find a home among the growing set.
