The final “surprise” in the mixed sixer from New Belgium Brewing, New Belgium Ranger India Pale Ale.
New Belgium Ranger IPA poured honey-hued and clear. A slightly off-white head that was small but sticky floated above a flat body with no observable carbonation, and the nose was floral and dark.
New Belgium Ranger IPA began with a well carbonated front complimented by a subdued hop front. The hops were herby with some pine and had an almost tobacco-like note. The body darkened up and almost became a burnt taste as it faded. Ranger IPA ended with a lot of bitterness, not entirely pleasant, but thankfully no New Belgium yeast.
New Belgium Ranger IPA breaks away from the traditional New Belgium yeast-strain, and benefits for it. It adheres more closely to the NW-style IPA, with more focus on pine and sap than citrus, and other than an overly-bitter finish it fits right in line as a good, but not great, IPA.
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