Voodoo Ranger IPA is the original beer in New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger lineup, the one that spawned the whole “Juice Force,” “Fruit Force,” and “Imperial IPA” family that now dominates craft IPA shelf space. Before New Belgium started stacking hop varieties into 9.5% ABV monsters, this was the base recipe: a hop-forward American IPA at a manageable 7% ABV. Search volume for the name runs over 20,000 a month, mostly people trying to figure out which Voodoo Ranger can is the one they actually want.
We have gathered together what New Belgium’s own product notes say plus BeerAdvocate’s community rating, rather than inventing tasting claims of our own.
At a Glance
| Brewery | New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, CO) |
| Style | American IPA |
| ABV | 7% |
| IBU | 50-52 |
| Hops | Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic, Chinook, HBC 522, Strata, Citra |
| Malts | Pale, Honey, Pilsner |
| Availability | Year-round, nationwide, cans and draft |
| BeerAdvocate score | 85 / “Very Good” |
What Voodoo Ranger IPA Tastes Like
New Belgium’s own description promises “tropical aromas and juicy fruit flavors from Mosaic and Amarillo hops” in “a golden IPA that’s perfectly bitter with a refreshing, sublime finish.” On BeerAdvocate, where it holds an 85 “Very Good” score, the community’s ratings consistently describe tropical fruit and citrus notes balanced against a firm, clean bitterness, with a malty backbone from the Pale, Honey, and Pilsner malt blend keeping it from tipping into harshness.
At 7% ABV and 50-52 IBU, it runs a step stronger and more bitter than a standard American IPA, but reviewers on BeerAdvocate frequently note it stays smooth and approachable rather than punishing, which is likely why it has become one of the best-selling craft IPAs in the country.
How It Compares to Other Voodoo Ranger Beers
Voodoo Ranger IPA is the mild one of the family. New Belgium’s own site lists the Juice Force and Fruit Force spinoffs at around 9.5% ABV with hazier, sweeter profiles built from a longer hop bill, while the original IPA sits at a more moderate 7% ABV with a cleaner, golden appearance. If you want the approachable, food-friendly version of the Voodoo Ranger name rather than a boozier hazy IPA, the original reviewed here is the one to grab.
If you specifically want a juicy, cloudy IPA instead, see our Best Hazy IPAs roundup.
- 50-52 IBU delivers real IPA bitterness without tipping into a punishing hop bomb
- A seven-hop bill (Mosaic, Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook, Citra, Strata, HBC 522) gives real complexity for the price point
- 7% ABV and a smooth, moderate body make it easy to have more than one
- One of the best-selling craft IPAs in the US, so it’s easy to find almost anywhere
- At 7% ABV it runs noticeably stronger than a standard American IPA (most sit 5.5-6.5%)
- Golden and clear rather than hazy, so it won’t satisfy drinkers who specifically want a New England-style IPA
- Some of its own Voodoo Ranger siblings (Juice Force, Fruit Force) get more attention on shelves now
FAQs
How strong is Voodoo Ranger IPA?
7% ABV with 50-52 IBU, stronger than a standard American IPA but not as extreme as New Belgium’s own Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA (9%+).
What hops are in Voodoo Ranger IPA?
Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic, Chinook, HBC 522, Strata, and Citra, giving it a tropical-fruit-and-pine profile over a Pale, Honey, and Pilsner malt base.
Is Voodoo Ranger IPA hazy or clear?
Clear and golden. For a hazy, juice-forward version, New Belgium’s own Juice Force IPA is the one to look for instead.
What’s the difference between Voodoo Ranger IPA and Fat Tire?
Different beers entirely. Voodoo Ranger IPA is a 7% ABV hop-forward American IPA, while Fat Tire is New Belgium’s 5.2% ABV amber ale with a much milder, malt-driven profile.
