Ranger - New Belgium

Vitals:

Name: Ranger

Style: American IPA

IBU: 70

ABV: 6.5%

Gravity: 14.6 Plato

Purchased at: Trixie's Liquor

Descriptions:

Appearance: Pours a bright burnt orange, which somehow makes me think it'll be more hoppy than malty. About a half-finger of off-white head, surprisingly poor retention and cap, but good lacing. There is not much visible carbonation and the beer has a translucent quality to it.

Smell: This beer smells AMAZING! There is a HUGE crisp citrus hop aroma, not too much malt to accompany it. There are some piney notes as well - I am literally salivating for this one...

Taste: The taste is a nice little roller coaster...going from SHARP citrus hops to sweet malt, back to hops again (citrus AND piney this time) to the finish. Very nice drinking experience. The taste is mostly hoppy, but you get some grapefruit in there...it's complex enough, but not overly so. This beer just tastes damn good...a very clean, crisp drink that leaves a long aftertaste. Hides the ABV quite well.

Mouthfeel: Slightly to the heavier side of medium bodied and not too much carbonation. The mouthfeel fits the beer well...it's juicy/creamy but doesn't dry you out...coats your mouth and gives you that oily feel.

Overall Grade: A-

Comments: This is a VERY good IPA...I would definitely drink it again and almost pit it against Bells Two-Hearted, which is saying a lot. At 6.5% ABV and 14.6 Plato it is much too high ABV and too heavy to drink too many of them, but hop heads will love this offering from New Belgium. They seemingly make almost entirely solid beers.

Cheers,

Hurls