New Belgium Brewing Voodoo Ranger IPA series continues to generate acclaim and demand due to its constant pursuit of variety and novelty. Alongside the original IPA, Voodoo Ranger’s year-round lineup boasts an Imperial IPA and two hazy-focused versions (American Haze and Juicy Haze). But the variants that consistently generate buzz are the new IPAs New Belgium releases three times during the year as part of its Rotating IPA series. Releases like Voodoo Ranger Starship IPA have made the Rotating IPA series New Belgium’s fifth best-selling brand overall. The latest edition provides a less-than-subtle nod to the upcoming presidential election, with New Belgium asking beer fans to #VoteVoodoo by casting their vote for either Agent 77 Voodoo Ranger IPA or Captain Dynamite Voodoo Ranger IPA by September 30. 

Vote Voodoo is back with The Thirsty Games. It’s action hero versus action hero as Captain Dynamite takes on Agent 77 for the right to be the next Voodoo Ranger IPA. The two beers will be competing for your vote in five different action-packed categories. https://t.co/eKGjojqUJi pic.twitter.com/0d8qyWPmvb

— New Belgium Brewing (@newbelgium) September 8, 2020

New Belgium was nice enough to send me samples of both #VoteVoodoo candidates. Here are my thoughts. 

Agent 77 Voodoo Ranger IPA

Stats: 7.7% ABV; IBU: 25

New Belgium’s Take: “Brewed with International Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy Hops to create and fruity and floral IPA that’s as charismatic as it is citrusy.”

My Review: Pours light with a goldish-yellow hue. Mid to full head that takes a few minutes to settle down in the glass. Very hop forward, you can taste the West Coast-style inspiration. The nuance comes from the hits of bright citrus, primarily lemon zest that rolls on the tongue and rounds out the drinking experience. This one drinks very smoothly as well.  

Captain Dynamite Voodoo Ranger IPA

Stats: 7.7% ABV; IBU: 45

New Belgium’s Take: “Locked, stocked and fully hopped, this hazy IPA is juiced with Mosaic, Simcoe and Cascade hops and exploding with tropical citrus flavors and aromas.”
My Review: Pours darker with an orangish, murky color. The first thing you get on the nose and taste buds are big hits of overripe fruit, primarily orange peel and tangerine. Very citrus-forward but sips light with little to no bitterness, compared to Agent 77. Captain Dynamite also has a fuller flavor than Agent 77 with a thicker mouthfeel. You can definitely tell this one is more in the mold of a Hazy IPA.

The Vote

Who gets my vote? Captain Dynamite for me. Both IPAs are welcome additions to the Voodoo Ranger name but Captain Dynamite tips the scales due to how memorable those orange and citrus flavor notes are. It’s a dialed-in Hazy IPA that doesn’t try to do too much, and that is why it succeeds. 

My vote is cast. Who will you choose? For more information and voting details, you can check out votevoodoo.com and follow @voodooranger on Instagram to cast your vote. Voting ends September 30, with the winner announced the day after (October 1). The IPA elect will then officially enter the esteemed Voodoo Ranger lineup in 2021 where it will see wide distribution. Cheers!

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