New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA 12Pk Cans

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA 12Pk Cans is a 9% ABV imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, sold in a 12-pack of cans. Scored 94/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing, this hop-forward double IPA has become one of the two best-selling IPAs in American grocery and convenience stores as of 2023—a remarkable achievement for a beer at this strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  IBU: 70  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

New Belgium Brewing Company, founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado, grew from a basement homebrew operation into one of America's largest craft breweries. The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA uses a diverse hop bill featuring Mosaic, Calypso, Bravo, Delta, Centennial, and Cascade varieties layered over a grain base of pale and black malts. That combination of six hop varieties—particularly the less common pairing of Mosaic and Calypso—produces a layered tropical and resinous character that distinguishes this imperial expression from more straightforward West Coast double IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit rind and orange flesh hit first, followed by crushed pine needles and a subtle herbal, grassy quality. Underneath, a light bready malt sweetness rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is citrus-driven with bright lemon and orange zest that gives way to resinous pine and fir at mid-palate. A honey-like malt sweetness provides backbone without masking the hops, while 70 IBUs deliver substantial but controlled bitterness. Faint notes of baking spice and caramel emerge as the beer warms.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering pine resin and grapefruit pith bitterness. The malt character fades cleanly, leaving a dry, slightly sticky hop impression on the palate.

How to Drink Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the complexity. As a cocktail ingredient, the 9% ABV and bitter hop profile make it a strong candidate for a Hop Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade, which tempers the bitterness while amplifying citrus), a Michelada (the pine and citrus play well against hot sauce and lime), or a Beer-a-Rita (blended with frozen limeade and a salted rim, where the imperial strength holds up against dilution).

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where bold beer can stand up to smoky, charred meats
• Sharing with hop-obsessed friends who appreciate high-ABV imperial IPAs
• Watching game day with a crowd—12-pack format means no one runs short
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to the imperial IPA category at an accessible price tier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA taste like? It leads with bright grapefruit and orange citrus, transitions into resinous pine and herbal bitterness, and finishes with a bready malt sweetness that keeps the 70 IBUs in check. The overall impression is hop-forward, moderately bitter, and deceptively drinkable for 9% ABV.

How does Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA compare to Lagunitas IPA? Lagunitas IPA sits at 6.2% ABV with 51.5 IBUs, making it a noticeably lighter and more sessionable beer than Voodoo Ranger Imperial's 9% and 70 IBUs. Voodoo Ranger Imperial delivers more tropical and resinous hop intensity alongside greater malt body, while Lagunitas leans toward a more classic, balanced West Coast profile.

Is Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA good for beginners? At 9% ABV, it is stronger than most entry-level IPAs and may overwhelm palates unaccustomed to aggressive hop bitterness. Beginners may want to start with the standard Voodoo Ranger IPA (7% ABV) before stepping up to the imperial version.

Where is Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA made? It is brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. New Belgium was founded in 1991 and is one of the largest craft breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA? Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the hop bitterness cutting through the heat. Aged sharp cheddar echoes the beer's caramel malt notes. Grilled burgers with pepper jack complement the pine and citrus character. Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop profile. Rich, dark chocolate brownies create a satisfying contrast against the bitter, resinous finish.

What sizes does Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA come in? The imperial expression is widely available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as individual 19.2 oz stovepipe cans commonly found in convenience stores and single-serve formats.

Is Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA worth the price? It positions as a mainstream craft imperial IPA, priced competitively against other double IPAs from national craft brands. The 9% ABV and complex six-hop bill deliver considerable intensity for its price tier, making it strong value within the imperial IPA category.

Why Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA?

The combination of six hop varieties—Mosaic, Calypso, Bravo, Delta, Centennial, and Cascade—creates a more layered and complex hop profile than many imperial IPAs that rely on just two or three varieties. A 94/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing confirms that critical recognition matches its commercial success as one of America's top-selling IPAs. At 9% ABV with 70 IBUs, it strikes a balance between aggressive hop character and enough malt structure to remain approachable. For drinkers who want imperial IPA intensity without sacrificing drinkability, this remains one of the most reliable options on the shelf.