New Belgium Ranger IPA

Tasting Notes

Ranger leads with a pronounced hop aroma — pine resin, grapefruit peel, and a touch of dried herbs. The flavor follows through with assertive bitterness balanced by a moderate malt backbone that keeps things from tipping into harsh territory. Body is medium, with a clean fermentation character that lets the hops do the talking. The finish is dry and lingering, with pine and citrus rind hanging around long after the sip.

About the Brewery

New Belgium is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 1991, and is one of the larger craft breweries in the country by volume. They're best known for Fat Tire Amber Ale, which helped establish their national presence, but their portfolio spans a wide range of styles including sours, IPAs, and seasonal offerings. The brewery operates as an employee-owned company, which has been a notable part of their identity and public profile for years.

Food Pairings

Burgers with sharp cheddar work well here because the bitterness cuts through the fat while the pine notes complement charred beef. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the citrus character in the hops without fighting it. Spicy dishes like Thai green curry find some relief in the malt body, which tempers heat without dulling the food's complexity. Aged gouda pairs naturally because its caramel and salt notes push back against the bitterness in a productive way.

Style Guide

American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness, aroma, and flavor — typically featuring American hop varieties that deliver citrus, pine, and tropical or resinous notes. It originated as an evolution of the English IPA tradition but diverged significantly in the American craft beer movement of the 1980s and 90s, leaning drier and more aggressively hopped. ABV generally runs from around 6% to 7.5%, placing it between a standard pale ale and the bigger double IPA. Compared to its English counterpart, the American version deprioritizes malt complexity in favor of hop-forward character and a cleaner, drier finish.