New Belgium Brewing Company Voodoo Ranger Liquid Paradise IPA American IPA at 7.8% ABV | 44 IBU (US$2.31 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, packaged on 17-Dec-2018, best before 28-Apr-2019, acquired 3-Mar-2019, reviewed 21-Mar-2019)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one finger of fine white head, good retention and minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, citrus, caramel, stone fruit, light floral and pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter mildly warming finish. (4/5)
Solid. Not quite NEIPA levels of juiciness (or haze, for that matter) but I’m not sure that was actually the intent, so that’s fine. The ABV is relatively high for a straight IPA, and it shows as a mild warming in the finish, but isn’t intrusive. The bitterness strikes me as being somewhat more empathic than the 44 IBU would suggest, but it’s balanced throughout and into the finish. Nothing really stands out, but rather than damn it with faint praise, I’ll say it’s simply a solid, thoroughly enjoyable modern IPA. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
