New Belgium Ranger IPA 6Pk

New Belgium Ranger IPA 6Pk is a six-pack of American IPA brewed by New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado, at 6.5% ABV and 70 IBUs. This hop-forward ale earned an 85 score on BeerAdvocate across more than 6,000 ratings, anchoring its reputation as a straightforward, well-constructed West Coast–leaning IPA built on a trio of classic American hop varieties.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  IBU: 70  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

New Belgium Brewing was founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and grew into one of the largest craft breweries in the United States before being acquired by Lion Little World Beverages (a subsidiary of Kirin) in 2019. Ranger IPA is built on a grain bill of pale malt and dark caramel malt, hopped exclusively with Simcoe, Cascade, and Chinook — a combination that delivers citrus, pine, and floral character without relying on whirlpool or dry-hop additions. That restrained approach sets it apart from more modern, haze-forward IPAs; the bitterness here is clean and direct, driven by traditional kettle additions rather than late-stage hop techniques.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus peel and resinous pine greet the nose first, followed by a layer of floral hop character. Underneath, a light caramel sweetness rounds out the aromatics without competing with the hops.

Taste: Orange citrus leads the entry, pushing through to a mid-palate where pine resin and subtle floral bitterness take hold. A backbone of caramel malt provides balance and keeps the 70 IBUs from feeling harsh, giving the beer a slightly sweet anchor before the bitterness peaks.

Finish: Medium in length with a firm, drying bitterness that lingers alongside fading citrus notes. The carbonation is moderate, keeping the mouthfeel smooth rather than aggressive.

How to Drink Ranger IPA

Serve chilled between 45–50°F in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the hop aromatics open up fully. Pouring into a glass rather than drinking from the can or bottle makes a noticeable difference with this style. For a Boilermaker, pair a pour alongside a shot of bourbon — the caramel malt bridges the two nicely. A Shandy made with equal parts Ranger IPA and fresh lemonade tames the bitterness for warm-weather drinking. In a Michelada build, the pine and citrus hop profile complements the lime juice and hot sauce with unexpected depth.

Best For

• Sharing during a backyard cookout with grilled burgers or sausages
• Introducing a friend to classic American IPA bitterness without overwhelming haze or sweetness
• Stocking the fridge for a casual weekend with hop-friendly company
• Pairing with spicy or bold-flavored takeout meals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ranger IPA taste like? Ranger IPA is dominated by orange citrus and pine resin hop flavors, balanced by a caramel malt sweetness and a firm, clean bitterness at 70 IBUs. The body is medium with moderate carbonation, making it drinkable without sacrificing hop intensity.

How does Ranger IPA compare to Voodoo Ranger IPA? Voodoo Ranger IPA, which succeeded Ranger in New Belgium's lineup, runs higher at 7% ABV with 50 IBUs and uses Mosaic and Amarillo hops for a more tropical, fruit-forward profile. Ranger IPA is drier and more bitter, relying on Simcoe, Cascade, and Chinook without dry-hop additions for a more traditional West Coast character.

Is Ranger IPA good for beginners? Ranger IPA sits at a moderate 6.5% ABV with assertive but not overwhelming bitterness, making it a solid entry point for drinkers ready to move beyond lighter styles into American IPA territory. The caramel malt backbone provides enough sweetness to keep the hops approachable.

Where is Ranger IPA made? Ranger IPA is brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company at their main brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. New Belgium was founded in 1991 and is now owned by Lion Little World Beverages, a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings.

What foods pair well with Ranger IPA? Grilled burgers work well because the hop bitterness cuts through the fat and char. Spicy Thai or Indian curry finds balance against the caramel malt sweetness. Sharp cheddar cheese amplifies the citrus hop notes. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the citrus character in the beer. Buffalo wings are a natural match, with the bitterness cleaning the palate between bites.

What sizes does Ranger IPA come in? Ranger IPA is available in a standard six-pack of 12 oz cans or bottles.

Is Ranger IPA worth the price? Ranger IPA positions as a standard-priced craft six-pack, competing directly in the everyday American IPA tier alongside offerings from Sierra Nevada and Lagunitas. For drinkers who prefer a classic, bitter-leaning IPA over the tropical haze trend, it delivers solid value for the style.

Why Ranger IPA?

Ranger IPA stands out because of what it doesn't do: no whirlpool hopping, no dry-hop additions, no haze. In an era where IPAs lean heavily on late-stage hop techniques and turbid appearances, Ranger commits to a clean, kettle-hopped approach that puts bittering front and center. The Simcoe, Cascade, and Chinook hop combination is a proven American trio that delivers reliable citrus, pine, and floral complexity without gimmick. With an 85 on BeerAdvocate and thousands of ratings behind it, this is a beer that built its following on consistency and drinkability rather than novelty.