Ranger India Pale Ale, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins

Style: India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.5 percent

Serving Type: 12-ounce bottle

Malty? Hoppy? Not as hoppy as you might expect from an IPA. 

Reviewed: September 2012

Almost everyone in the beer business, it seems, brews an India Pale Ale. (Here's one we like [2]. And another [3].) With so many IPAs in the market, it's necessary to brew a batch that's distinctive and offers something in the way of contrast to other interpretations of the style. New Belgium [4] does this with its Ranger. 

We like to think of Ranger as a starter IPA. It has all the characteristics of the style, including plenty of hops that offer fruit and citrus flavors and a hint of sweet malt. But Ranger isn't shockingly bitter, as is the case with some IPAs. (In fact, Ranger might not pack enough of a punch for hop fanatics.) The beer pours a striking clear golden color. The smell is grainy, citrusy—grapefruit and lemon—and a bit malty. Ranger's flavor doesn't stray too far from it's aroma. The citrus-flavored hops hit first. Then, there's a medium bitterness that is balanced by mild malt. Ranger finishes smooth—a nice, easy-drinking IPA. 

Would we buy it again? We'll share this one with our friends who constantly declare, "I don't like IPAs." Ranger just might change their minds.