Ranger IPA

[epistrummer]

So I tried Ranger IPA from New Belgium in Ft collins, CO. I don't think I really enjoy the particular hops used. Maybe someone knows which hops are used. It has a kind of pungent, maybe overbitter hop in it. I'd like to know what hop it is so I can avoid using it in any future brews.

 

[NineMilBill]

Well, it's Cascade, Chinook, and Simcoe - you skip on these and you'll really miss out on some good beer.

On an opposite note - I had a Ranger today with some grilled chicken with a spicy rub...cut through the burn perfectly and balanced the meal.

Loved it.

 

[WortIfied]

Not one of my favorite IPAs agreed, Dunno what they use, I love Simcoe and centennial taste and aroma, those are my two favorite. As far as bittering hops, warrior all the way, hey - I'm a hop head

 

[epistrummer]

I'm not quite a beer snob yet, but I'm working on it. I don't really know how to describe the taste, but there is just something wrong with it to me. Normally I love New Belgium's beers. I love Inversion IPA, Red Chair IPA, Total Domination IPA, but Ranger IPA has an off note to it that I don't care for. I heard Simcoe hops are pungent, maybe that's it.

 

[WortIfied]

I'm not quite a beer snob yet, but I'm working on it. I don't really know how to describe the taste, but there is just something wrong with it to me. Normally I love New Belgium's beers. I love Inversion IPA, Red Chair IPA, Total Domination IPA, but Ranger IPA has an off note to it that I don't care for. I heard Simcoe hops are pungent, maybe that's it.

Totally agree, it's almost like a Dundee ipa to me. All the bitter hops, no fresh hop flavor or taste like I prefer. Love me some Terrapin Hopsecutioner and Founders Double Trouble! Maybe because ranger is organic?

 

[WortIfied]

He is right though, you shouldn't rule out Simcoe, cascade, or chinook because of their recipe though, especially if you love IPAs. Hop head DIPA is one I brewed, had all three of those and it turned out worlds better than Ranger.

 

[jonmohno]

You may think differnetly if your palate changes. It may be what you ate previously, try again.Try next year when you have tried 100 other ipa/s you wont be the same! Maybe i got a fresh one every time but it has been consistanly awesome for me every time i tried it. Not so much for many good ipas which may have had poor storage/shelf life.

 

[Indianhead_Brewer]

As far as IPAs go I am not a fan of Ranger. I was excited because the local restaurant actually had an IPA on tap, but after drinking a pint with dinner last week I was pretty disappointed. It seemed to be sort of ho-hum as far as IPAs go. It was just an average IPA that just didn't pop. It had that upfront bitterness, but after that nothing else to really offer as far as taste with what seemed to be very little aroma. Maybe it was just a bad pour, but I would be hesitant to spend money on a six pack of it in the future. I am glad some others out there don't enjoy this beer. Makes me feel like I am not crazy for hating it as much as I did.

 

[bobbrews]

It's just a unique IPA. It should not be blamed on the hops, but the method/procedure.

Laurelwood Workhorse reminds me of Ranger a bit. They both have a broiled grapefruit flavor with hints of raw pine and orange marmalade, and the slightest splash of rich caramel.

 

[MikeyLXT]

Not a big fan of that beer either and IPAs are my favorite.

As others have said dont rule out a brand of hops due to Ranger. Find another beer that highlights them individually and give it a shot.

 

[hogwash]

It's not really a matter of the hop varieties so much as it is a balance problem (for your tastes) within the recipe. You might like something with a little more malt backbone to it, the Ranger is definitely a little thin & dry and I think they use quite a bit of sugar in the recipe.

 

[smokinj]

As others have stated, it's brewed with cascde, chinook, and simcoe. Do not, i repeat DO NOT exclude these from exclude these from all of your brews. They are fantastic hops(actually some of my favorites), and go really well in many American styles. The hop schedule and amounts used are probably what is producing the flavor you dislike, not the hops themselves. I am with you, though, I am a big IPA fan and, while it is a good beer, it's one of my least favorite IPAs.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

You may think differnetly if your palate changes. It may be what you ate previously, try again.Try next year when you have tried 100 other ipa/s you wont be the same! Maybe i got a fresh one every time but it has been consistanly awesome for me every time i tried it. Not so much for many good ipas which may have had poor storage/shelf life.

I'm with you, Jon. I think Ranger's a solid IPA... like most of NB's brews it's not the epitome of the style, but it's a good brew.

OP, ya know American IPA can range from really light, dry hops bombs like Pliny or 2XIPA to sticky, caramel-flavor laden beer resembling a hoppy barley wine.... Ranger lean's a bit towards the former. Some of the other beers you listed, namely the two Deschute's beers (Inversion and Red Chair) are a bit more malty and balanced, so maybe that's more up your alley when it comes to IPA. As for me, I'm a hop head, so IPA is one of my favorite styles to drink (I drink at least one pint of IPA most days), and I like all different varieties of IPA. I think Ranger comes in right in the middle, nothing special but if you want an easy drinkin' brew with a good amount of hops flavor and aroma it hits the spot.