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Author Topic: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA  (Read 6377 times)

Offline roguejim

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Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« on: September 26, 2010, 03:05:00 am »
I just had these brews on tap at a local fair/homebrew comp.

For the first time, I had brews (Estate and Tumbler) by Sierra Nevada Brewery that I really didn't care for, especially the Tumbler-zero complexity.  A dud in my book.

I thought the Ranger IPA was decent, if not overwhelming.

Oddly enough, one of the breweries (I forget which one) had a keg of Smithwicks.  It seemed a tad flat, but the flavor was still very balanced and thoroughly enjoyable to me.  I'd like to take a crack at brewing a clone of that.

Offline micsager

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2010, 10:26:56 am »
I just had these brews on tap at a local fair/homebrew comp.

For the first time, I had brews (Estate and Tumbler) by Sierra Nevada Brewery that I really didn't care for, especially the Tumbler-zero complexity.  A dud in my book.

I thought the Ranger IPA was decent, if not overwhelming.

Oddly enough, one of the breweries (I forget which one) had a keg of Smithwicks.  It seemed a tad flat, but the flavor was still very balanced and thoroughly enjoyable to me.  I'd like to take a crack at brewing a clone of that.

I like the Ranger IPA as well.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2010, 04:58:22 am »
I have heard a lot of people complain about the Ranger. I thought it was a fine beer. The best IPA I ever had? Certainly not. But I don't think every beer has to strive for the most complex beer you've ever put in your mouth. Sometimes, it just drinks good, and that's good enough for me.

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2010, 11:33:16 pm »
Ranger IPA is doable for sure.
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2010, 11:54:00 am »
Yeah I really like the Ranger, anyone have a clone recipe for it?
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Offline denny

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2010, 12:02:02 pm »
I'm with Jim on the Ranger...maybe it's because that we're both from the PNW that we expect a bit more assertiveness in an IPA.  The best thing I can say about Ranger is that it's OK.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2010, 12:07:21 pm »
I'm with Jim on the Ranger...maybe it's because that we're both from the PNW that we expect a bit more assertiveness in an IPA.  The best thing I can say about Ranger is that it's OK.
I'm with you guys, Ranger is just ok.
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Offline denny

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2010, 12:07:50 pm »
Yet another PNW taster! 
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2010, 12:16:22 pm »
Yet another PNW taster! 
Yeah, but mic says he likes it, and he's a PNWer too.  Are you moving mic, or retracting your statement?  ;D
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Offline euge

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2010, 12:30:28 pm »
I'm not a PNW'er and I thought they were average and unexciting. The Ranger is drinkable but I didn't care for the Tumbler at all.

Thanks for reminding me about the Smithwicks. I can get it at the local but never tried it.
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Offline denny

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2010, 12:44:23 pm »
I'm not a PNW'er and I thought they were average and unexciting.

That just means you're ready to move here!  ;)
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline euge

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2010, 12:55:45 pm »
I'm not a PNW'er and I thought they were average and unexciting.

That just means you're ready to move here!  ;)

You never know what the next few years will bring.  ;) I've toyed with moving to the area (Eugene) over the last ten years.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

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Offline blatz

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2010, 12:56:44 pm »
I agree that Tumbler is 'meh' - I bought a 12 pack the day my local store got it in (beginning of August?) and I still have 4 bottles left if that tells you anything.  

Ranger was pretty good - not the best IPA out there, but tasty and I'd certainly buy it again one day.

I'm suprised at the comment on Estate Harvest Ale though.  I had a bottle a few weeks ago and thought it was so fantastic, I went the next day after work to go grab a few more bottles, but it was all gone  :'(
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2010, 01:17:56 pm »
I'm not a PNW'er and I thought they were average and unexciting.

That just means you're ready to move here!  ;)

You never know what the next few years will bring.  ;) I've toyed with moving to the area (Eugene) over the last ten years.
If you move to Eugene, promise me you'll tell everyone the town is named after you!   ;D
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Offline ryang

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Re: Sierra Nevada Estate & Tumbler...New Belgium Ranger IPA
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2010, 01:42:18 pm »
I'm in NBB territory and had Ranger from the conditioning tanks before it was released.  I told the guy it was ok.  It's more of a gateway IPA.  Nice hop flavor but nothing that says wow.  It's flying off the shelves here though.