New Belgium Brewing introduces Seattle to its first regular, full time IPA. Release parties include a free Mudhoney concert.
Educated beer enthusiasts don’t need to be told that New Belgium is one of America’s great craft breweries. The ubiquity of Fat Tire Amber Ale sometimes causes beer aficionados to scratch their heads, but only under-informed craft beer drinkers judge New Belgium by that omnipresent potation alone. As a “left coaster” with an enormous appetite for IBUs, I have always found New Belgium’s game to have just one glaring weakness: their sizable regular lineup does not include an IPA or some other hop-heavy offering. That is about to change.
New Belgium’s Ranger IPA made its debut last August at the Boise Beer Fest; however, here in Washington it will be introduced on February 1st when Brouwer’s Cafe will host a release party.
The only other release party we’ve heard about will take place at Neumos on February 8th, when Mudhoney will play a free show to celebrate the launch of Ranger IPA. Yes, Neumos – the live music joint on Capitol Hill. Yes, Mudhoney – the legendary Seattle grunge rock gurus. New Belgium isn’t being shy about this one. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. All you have to do is get a pint of New Belgium 1554 at the Moe Bar and you’ll get a ticket to the show. For those unfamiliar with the lay of the land at Neumos, there is a separate room where the live music happens. Get into the building, go to the bar and buy a pint of 1554 and they will give you a ticket that gets you into the show. It’s safe to assume that they’ll have the Ranger IPA on tap as well.
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New Belgium will offer Ranger IPA in both kegs and bottles. The hop profile includes Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hops. It weighs in at 7% ABV and 60 IBUs. As we understand it, New Belgium refers to their sales people as rangers. The sales staff has long wished for an IPA, so naming it Ranger IPA seemed appropriate.
If you know any other release events, or if you’ve tried Ranger IPA, please leave a comment and tell us what you know.
The Hopvine Pub is having its launch party on Feb 1. Here is the description from the calendar on their web site (http://3pubs.com/Hopvine.html):
“New Belgium is releasing their new Ranger IPA. Hopvine Pub will be hosting the launch party Monday February 1st. We are extremely excited as this is the first IPA that New Belgium has brewed. Festivities begin at 5pm sharp with the tapping of the first keg. The first 36 customers to order the Ranger IPA will receive a gift from New Belgium. Come celebrate with us!”
The Hopvine Pub is having its launch party on Feb 1. Here is the description from the calendar on their web site (http://3pubs.com/Hopvine.html):
“New Belgium is releasing their new Ranger IPA. Hopvine Pub will be hosting the launch party Monday February 1st. We are extremely excited as this is the first IPA that New Belgium has brewed. Festivities begin at 5pm sharp with the tapping of the first keg. The first 36 customers to order the Ranger IPA will receive a gift from New Belgium. Come celebrate with us!”
It’s actually 6.5% abv and 70 IBU’s and really really tasty!
It’s actually 6.5% abv and 70 IBU’s and really really tasty!
ditto what’s Beach said above. from the couple sample bottles we received i found it to be very tasty. very “west coasty”, tangy and citrusy. a very respectable IPA.
i can’t believe they got mudhoney! that will be a seriously fun night.
ditto what’s Beach said above. from the couple sample bottles we received i found it to be very tasty. very “west coasty”, tangy and citrusy. a very respectable IPA.
i can’t believe they got mudhoney! that will be a seriously fun night.
the park pub on phinney ridge will be hosting a tapping party on february 1st as well. there will be a special on pints of ranger IPA and shwag aplenty.
I tried a pint at new belgium brewery a couple weeks ago when I was in colorado for new years. it’s got a marvelous nose, well-balanced and drinks like a west coast IPA. very nice.
the park pub on phinney ridge will be hosting a tapping party on february 1st as well. there will be a special on pints of ranger IPA and shwag aplenty.
I tried a pint at new belgium brewery a couple weeks ago when I was in colorado for new years. it’s got a marvelous nose, well-balanced and drinks like a west coast IPA. very nice.
I second what Beach says. Very tasty! Ranger gives a a big citrus punch and has enough bitterness to keep the hop head interested…and the finish lingers enough to leave you wanting more. I enjoyed my [sample] bottle and am looking forward to having it available year-round for our IPA fans.
I second what Beach says. Very tasty! Ranger gives a a big citrus punch and has enough bitterness to keep the hop head interested…and the finish lingers enough to leave you wanting more. I enjoyed my [sample] bottle and am looking forward to having it available year-round for our IPA fans.
Down in Tacoma, The Red Hot will be tapping Ranger at 5pm on February 1st as well, a keep the glassware night with The Trip V. I know The Parkway and The Swiss will be doing Ranger kegs at 5pm, and am sure many more places will be on board as well.
Down in Tacoma, The Red Hot will be tapping Ranger at 5pm on February 1st as well, a keep the glassware night with The Trip V. I know The Parkway and The Swiss will be doing Ranger kegs at 5pm, and am sure many more places will be on board as well.
We will be pouring this beer at the Pied Piper Alehouse in Ravenna just north of UW. Can’t wait the samples of the beer are fantastic that I tried!
Pied Piper Alehouse
2404 NE 65th St
Seattle,Wa 98103
206-729-0603
We will be pouring this beer at the Pied Piper Alehouse in Ravenna just north of UW. Can’t wait the samples of the beer are fantastic that I tried!
Pied Piper Alehouse
2404 NE 65th St
Seattle,Wa 98103
206-729-0603
Ranger IPA will be available at Moe Bar starting on Feb 1st, tickets to Mudhoney available all that week with purchase of Ranger IPA at the bar. And available all this week with purchase of 1554.
Ranger IPA will be available at Moe Bar starting on Feb 1st, tickets to Mudhoney available all that week with purchase of Ranger IPA at the bar. And available all this week with purchase of 1554.