Ranger - New Belgium Brewing

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz single picked up today at the COOP... Poured into my Delirium goblet.. 2 finger head dies slowly leaving nice sheets of lacing... the brew is dark gold with hints of orange.

Nose has a nice mix of grapefruit.. citrus.. and good herb.. lite pale maltiness..

Good bitterness out of the gate.. all the above hop flavors with just enough sorta bready malty essence... pretty damn dry on the finish with a sorta catty hoppiness that lingers for a bit... Medium body with an effervescent yet mild carbonation...

I am surprised I liked this one as much as I did... but I have a question, is there a "house" malt that New Belgium uses in alot of it's beer... sorta toasty... biscuity.. etc.... I get it pretty heavy in Fat Tire... I would guess a Biscuit or maybe Victory malt.

Anyway... this was pretty nice.

4.5/4/4/4/4

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 04:28:44 | More by JohnGalt1

thagr81us

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served from bottle into a Spaten mug. Poured a nice golden yellow with a one-finger white head that contained a nice rainbow effect on it, but subsided to a minimal amount very slowly. There was nice lacing apparent throughout. The aroma was comprised of only hops. The flavor was only comprised of hops with a very slight spicy note to it. It was light on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a decent IPA that was very light on the hoppy flavor. It could have been a great brew if it either had something to balance the hoppy flavor present or had more hops present. However this one is worth a shot for any hop-head out there who has not tried it.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2010 16:36:50 | More by thagr81us

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I am stoked to have New Belgium in my neighborhood. Welcome!

The beer is transparent and light orange hued with an inch of thick white head. Decent retention and ample sticky lacing on the pint glass.

The aroma brings a bouquet of hops, with notes of grapefruit. Also present is an earthy, funky scent that seems to be a distraction from the delectable hop nose.

The flavor is good, with the hop character in the driver seat. Grapefruit is the dominant fruit flavor, with more subtle notes of the earthy, musty, funkiness I discovered in the aroma.

The beer is really bitter, even for the style. The finish is dry and bitter, and sits a bit harsh on the palate.

In a style teeming with amazing brews, this one falls a bit short for me. I am enjoying this, but don't see myself returning to this beer too often, if at all.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 00:58:24 | More by Huhzubendah

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Comes out of the tap a clear, golden amber with a fine-bubbled off-white head that sticks around for a while. Rich aroma is strongly hoppy and evergreen, promising a seriously hoppy IPA. Fiercely hoppy and somewhat bitter flavor lives up to the aroma - drinking this beer is like drinking a liquid pine tree. Texture has a strong bite and is fizzy and smooth, leaving a nice hoppy and slightly bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2010 01:49:31 | More by Cyberkedi

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

New Belgium : Ranger

A bright straw, gorgeous looking brew with a soapy, bubbly head and tons of effervescent bubbles rising to the top. Lace is strewn about the glass. Pine, earth and weed elements in the nose, with a light caramel/bready undertone. Tastes solidly bitter, with pine, earth and dirty grapefruit. The malt comes off biscuity, and really lets the hops do all the talking. Light to medium bodied feel, sharp hop bite, right on for the style. A veritable plethora of hops, with little else. Cool with me.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 06:26:53 | More by Stinkypuss

ccrida

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is clear brassy orange with a big off-white head that leaves loads of Brussels lace.

Smell is super pungent, fresh hops, very dank citrus.

Taste is not as hopilicious as the nose, kind of soapy, but still plenty of citrus. Fairly bitter finish and lingering aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is oily and slick, but with a dry finish. Medium bodied.

Drinkability is okay, the soapy and bitter qualities of the hops got fatiguing...I wish it would have tasted like it smelled, still a decent IPA, but not really my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2010 22:39:41 | More by ccrida

RoyalT

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - This poured a crystalline orange in color with a nice, pure white head that came up nicely. It wasn't like that thick shaving cream kind of head but more like white caps on a choppy sea.

Smell - This has a strong but easy-going aroma led primarily by the rindy citrus hops with just a touch of pine. The grain base is just big enough to maintain respectability. Again, it is a refined and easy smell that brings out the other aspects of the bouquet.

Taste - The malt base comes on a bit more substantial at the taste and, again, shows a lot of class. It is exactly the right kind of grain and malt flavor mix that compliments this diverse hop profile. The citrus from the nose is amazingly smooth at the taste and though the pine largely drops off there is a variety of citrus flavors that gives this IPA a wonderfully clean flavor.

Mouthfeel - This is shy of medium-bodied with some strong but manageable bitterness and a light carbonation that keeps the beer lively without slowing you down too much.

Drinkability - Boy was I impressed with this beer. I do like the big hop bombs I'll admit but I can also appreciate a well-balanced and thoughtful effort such as this New Belgium sample. This is a very refined class act and a must-taste for any true IPA fan.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2010 07:27:24 | More by RoyalT

avalon07

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a golden yellow color and a clear consistency. There was a quarter inch of foamy, long-lasting head and good lacing.

S: A solid aroma of hops, citrus, and a piney quality.

T: Tasted of citrus (grapefruit), bitter hops, pine resin, and a bit of malt. Not the most complex or vibrant of flavors, but pleasant enough.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a dry finish. Light- to medium-bodied.

D: This is a drinkable beer with some solid characteristics, but don't expect too much from it.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2010 13:22:22 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean, pale orange-ish color with an off white head. In the aroma, a mix of citrus and pine hops. In the taste, pine hops and a gingerbread like maltiness. A hop bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry pine hop in the aftertaste. Quite malty and more English than American, but nice nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 16:01:21 | More by OWSLEY069

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color is a clear medium copper/bronze hue with a two finger head after the pour. The head recedes to a thick film that lasts throughout the whole bottle of beer.

Nice floral nose with a little citrus and earthen grass. The toasted biscuit malts add a sweet bready note to the nose.

The taste has a little floral bitterness, but more of a earthy soil and grass bitterness. This goes rather well with a medium toasted biscuit malt flavor and quenching yet resiny palate.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 23:31:42 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Gold....pretty clear

S-Simcoe jumps out right away with fresh tangerines, oranges, pineapple, and grapefruit..

T-The juicy citrus is front and center but a slightly more abrasive piney layer is also evident. Really dry on the finish....the malt is secondary and features the same biscuit like backing all their beers seem to have.

M-Medium bodied...very dry...some decent bitterness to this and it has a bit of a jagged edge...

D-Nice effort that should please hop heads as it has a nice hop feel on the nose, taste and finish. Overall a good solid IPA but not an elite one. Not close to Colorado's best IPA from O'Dell.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 06:18:16 | More by ZAP

dirtylou

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz single, rileys or steves

appearance: served in great dane imperial pint, light clear yellow body, foamy eggshell head

smell: light citrus peel, corriander, tangerine

taste: rather straightforward - tangerine peel, citrusy, light sweetness, bready. certainly enjoyable but nothing striking here - kind of par for the course with new belgium for me (less la folie)

mouthfeel: light, zesty, low bitterness

drinkability: high

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 02:53:55 | More by dirtylou

jrallen34

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

I drank this on tap at the Map Room into a New Belgium chalice.

The beer is very clear for a dark orange color. The head is huge, at least 3 fingers, very creamy and lasts well over 5 minutes falling in chunks. Great lacing as well.

The aroma is really light, you can just make out the hops but that's all that presents itself.

The taste is disappointing as it starts off very piney followed by a combination of some metallic hops. Not very enjoyable at all.

The feel is super dry and its not very drinkable.

Overall, not an IPA I'd drink a again, pretty disappointing.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2010 21:51:36 | More by jrallen34

Tone

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, golden color. 3/4 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of slight earthly malt, strong floral hops, sweet malt, and citrus (pomegranate). Fits the style of an American IPA. Mouth feel is slightly smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of floral hops, earthy malt, sweet malt, and citrus. Overall, great appearance with a good body and blend.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2010 22:53:24 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The first pint, from the first keg, of this new brew to be poured in Whatcom County. Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clean, clear light gold color with a white head that had medium retention and OK lacing.

The aroma was dominated by floral and hop scents. The beer had a much bolder smell than I was expecting. The flavors were also very hop forward, with some citrus flavors joining the floral and pine components. There wasn't much of a malt foundation to support those hops though.

The body and drinkabilty were both average for the style. Overall, this was a very decent beer, much better than I expected from this brewery. Certainly worth your time.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 20:49:18 | More by beertunes

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle sampled at the Old Chicago. I had asked my server, Chelsea, for my tab and while I was finishing up a game of trivia, she brought this bottle over to me. A free sampler from the local distributor.

From my notes:

It was a crystal clear medium gold colour with about an inch of foam. Typical of NB beers, there was some nice lacing.

The smell had a lot of floral hop spiciness with a touch of biscuit malt in the background. The hops did dominate in a big way.

The taste was spicy, hoppy, and some sweetness from biscuit malt. I don't know, for an IPA this diden't hit my palate very well. And talk about dry. Wow. Usually dryness is a nice thing to have in an IPA and causes me to want more but the one bottle was all I wanted.

Fairly light bodied with medium carbonation.

Drinkability? Like I said, the one bottle was enough. This one isn't in my comfort range for the style at all and overall, not a very easy drinking beer.

Edit: April 27, 2010

I picked up a 22oz bottle to try this again and I'm glad I did. Nice hop flavours here with some grape fruitand pine and some nice grass. Malt is hiding in the background but does enough to make it noticed. Nice bitter and short aftertaste and makes this quite drinkable. I guess the last time I tried it my mood just wasn't right. Scores adjusted.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 17:45:16 | More by Bitterbill

kylehay2004

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 3 finger frothy head, clear dark golden with mustard hues. Some lacing.

S: very nice fresh hop smell and some pine. This aroma I usually get with fersh hopped ipas which impressed me

T: Very nice fresh and floral hop character. Mil pine bitterness in the finish.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: This is one of new belgiums best offerings. The aroma and taste are excellent and match up well.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 01:16:42 | More by kylehay2004

cokes

Wisconsin

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear brassy yellow-gold with a sizable white froth on top, fading moderately quickly while leaving smears of lace.
Doughy, lightly sweet malt aromas mingle with peppery, grassy, and floral hops, a touch of pineapple as well, especially as it warms.
It begins with a sweet breadiness, not unlike a sugared doughnut. Malt never stays beyond this, so it's good that it's an agreeable flavor. Fruitiness enters midway, but carries little vibrancy. Watery pineapple juice with a twist of lemon. Hops hit with pepper, crushed flowers, onions, spruce, and peppermint. That onion note is a bit of a nuisance, and reminds me why I didn't like their 2 Below very much. Here, it's further in the background, fortunately.
Light-ish bodied with a relatively high amount of CO2. Generally balanced, but the hops deliver enough dryness to make it a session option. However, there's nothing very dynamic here, and it results in a middle of the road IPA. The more I drink this, the more I think it is plain boring.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 04:54:24 | More by cokes

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

not your stereotypical ipa. this one has more of that belgian vibe to it, not as sturdy as some of the american versions. its delicacy lends itself nicely to the hops here, allowing them to be tasted in their entirety without a lot of interference from other elements. not as yeast driven as their belgo, this one doesnt satisfy all of the conditions of an ipa for me, but under any other name it is an excellent beer. the 6.5 percent can catch you unaware as well!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 19:15:36 | More by StonedTrippin

nickfl

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with two fingers of fluffy white foam on top of a dark golden body with excellent clarity. The head settles slowly and leaves good lace.

S - A fruity hop aroma of mango and orange/grapefruit. Some toasty malt in the background with a little bit of honey malt character.

T - Spicy hops up front with a little bit of grapefruit. Bready malt in the middle with light toast and some pine hop character. Finishes with lemon and pithy grapefruit flavor and smooth, but strong hop bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - A nice, balanced IPA with great hop character, especially in the aroma. There is a nice balance in the finish with a subtle dryness that helps to emphasize the hop character.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2010 05:43:36 | More by nickfl

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Rodman's, $2.99. One of the cheapest bombers I've seen.

A crystal clear bronze with a dense, creamy, off-white head with excellent retention and gorgeous lacing. The nose is surprisingly good. A blend of mild pine and moderate citrus with orange peel, a mild orange juice character and some tropical fruit. Were Cascades used in this beer? I really can't get much malt character here, apart from a mild toast.

The palate opens with a moderate grapefruit pith bitterness, and a mild pine-like bitterness, as well. There's plenty of flavor too, including some citrus and some tropical fruit. There isn't much malt presence here, with a touch of toast. The freshness keeps the hops bright and vibrant. There's a mild resin character as well. Drying and bitter on the finish, this beer is fairly light in body and is moderately carbonated. The mid-palate is just a touch watery, though. All told, this is a surprisingly good IPA, and this fresh, it's awfully enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 00:36:41 | More by DefenCorps

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz can poured into a New Belgium globe glass.
6.5% ABV, 26 AUG 12 on bottom of can.

A - Ranger is a beautiful deep golden orange hue that vibrantly shines with clarity so one can witness the column of carbonation feeding the rich ivory head. The pile of tight foam cakes the infamous globe in lace as it drops for one sexy looking result.

S - "We're Hoppy, You're Happy" appears on opposite sides of the can's lip, and I can't agree with them more. The overflowing aroma of fresh hops spewing from Ranger is inviting and brings a smile to my face. Juicy lupulin glands share their delicious aromatics with us in the form of sticky pine resin and light citrus zest. Traces of sweet caramel and pale malt float through, but by no means is it showcased beyond balance.

T - Hop flavor is overwhelmed by bitterness in the mouthfeel but that's only because the flavor is very well balanced and drinkable. Pine resin and citrus compounds both emerge first, but a nice honey-drizzled biscuit and caramel malt finish keeps it from becoming too lop-sided.

M - Incredibly smooth and drinkable, Ranger IPA washes over the tongue with grace and class, gently finishing out with a building bitterness and lightly dry, crisp and refreshing finish that remains drinkable enough to satisfy without crippling the tongue.

O - My wife is a discerning hop head that's fairly picky about her IPAs without coming off too snobby. I don't think she has explored the Ranger yet, but I'm fairly confident she'd really dig this well-balanced yet hop-forward delight because it showcases the hops' citrus and earthy characteristics without bashing you over the head with them. Essentially, Ranger IPA is drinkable and refreshing, something a lot of us want at the core of our beers.

Serving type: can

07-05-2012 23:07:22 | More by BeerFMAndy

smakawhat

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A very crystal clear looking body, light carbonation rising, dark gold getting into brass bronze almost red amber color. Simple white head with about three fingers of retention, some foamy character. Some minor decent lacing while drinking.

Bouquet is, a simple hop profile, little bit of citrus, little pine, but nothing really distinct. Subtle and nice muted nose with some malt and bread.

Taste is, a good hop blast with a little bit of pine and resin, with a big surprising fruit punch on the finish. What the hell it is sugar coated strawberries. A surprising sweet red juicy fruit almost hawaiian fruit punch, where did that come from? Texture is solid without a big syrupy thickness, fizzy carbonation, or wet body.

Overall decent ipa, different, unique, enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 02:59:52 | More by smakawhat

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle, best before July 9, 2010. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear dark gold/orange color with about an inch frothy off-white head. Head retention is very good, and there's lots of lacing left on the glass. Aroma is pine and citrusy (grapefruit) hops. The taste is similar to the aroma, it's mostly pine and citrus hops with the addition of some bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's a bit slick and is well carbonated. Drinkability is good, I thought it was enjoyable to drink. I think this is a decent overall IPA, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2010 21:59:54 | More by bluejacket74

FosterJM

California

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

863rd Review on BA
Bottle to New Belgium Globe
12 oz bottle

Best by 11/13/11

App- A deeper orange with some yellow highlights and a 1/2 finger of soft fast receding head. Left a good streak across the glass with cling.

Smell- A good mix of floral, citrus and a little earthy notes. Has some bright tangerine, orange and pineapple with a little bit of malt behind.

Taste- A nice crisp ipa with a good touch of citrus and bitterness. Not over the top in IBUs or in the citrus but creates a nice floral citrus blend along the way.

Mouth- A little bit slick medium bodied with a medium carbonation. Leaves a bit of citrus bitter behind.

Drink- I don't normally keep six packs in the house but I've kept a couple of these lately. Forgot how easy drinking and subtle and nuanced this one can be.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 03:39:05 | More by FosterJM