Quick Answer
A 12 oz can of Voodoo Ranger IPA contains 180 calories. Voodoo Ranger IPA is a popular India Pale Ale brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company. It has 7.0% alcohol by volume and 45 IBUs (International Bitterness Units).
Calories in Voodoo Ranger Beers
The number of calories in Voodoo Ranger beers varies based on the specific type of beer:
Voodoo Ranger Beer | Calories (12 oz) |
---|---|
IPA | 180 |
Hazy IPA | 200 |
Imperial IPA | 280 |
Juicy Haze IPA | 170 |
As you can see, the standard Voodoo Ranger IPA is on the lower end of the calorie scale compared to some of the other Voodoo Ranger varieties. The Imperial IPA contains significantly more calories at 280 per 12 oz can.
Nutrition Facts for Voodoo Ranger IPA
Here are the nutrition facts for a 12 oz can of Voodoo Ranger IPA:
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 180 |
Carbohydrates | 12 g |
Protein | 2 g |
Fat | 0 g |
Alcohol | 14 g |
The majority of the calories in Voodoo Ranger IPA come from the alcohol content, with additional calories from carbohydrates. There is minimal fat and protein.
The alcohol content per 12 oz can is 14 grams or about 1.2 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. Since alcohol contains about 100 calories per tablespoon, the 14 grams of alcohol accounts for about 140 calories. The remaining 40 calories are from the residual malt carbohydrates left after fermentation.
Voodoo Ranger IPA Calories Compared to Other Beers
How does Voodoo Ranger IPA compare to other popular IPA and beer brands in terms of calories?
Beer (12 oz serving) | Calories |
---|---|
Voodoo Ranger IPA | 180 |
Lagunitas IPA | 190 |
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 175 |
Guinness Draught | 126 |
Budweiser | 145 |
Coors Light | 102 |
Voodoo Ranger contains slightly fewer calories than the average IPA, which are typically in the 180-200 calorie range for a 12 oz serving. It has moderately more calories than most lagers and light beers like Budweiser and Coors Light. Overall, Voodoo Ranger is around average in terms of calories for an craft IPA.
Tips for Drinking Voodoo Ranger IPA with Fewer Calories
If you’re looking to reduce the calorie intake from Voodoo Ranger IPA, here are some tips:
– Choose the 12 oz can instead of the 19.2 oz “Ranger” can – you’ll save 60+ calories per serving.
– Drink over ice which will make the beer last longer and seem more filling.
– Switch to lower calorie Juicy Haze IPA or Hazy IPA varieties to save 10-20 calories per can.
– Pair with a healthy meal instead of drinking on an empty stomach. The food will help slow down alcohol absorption.
– Drink slowly and savor – it’s easy to drink over 300 calories worth if you drink multiple cans back-to-back.
– Substitute every other beer with a sparkling water to cut the total calories in half.
Moderation is key with drinks like Voodoo Ranger that have a relatively high 180 calorie count. Sipping slowly, alternating with low/no calorie beverages, and pairing with food are great ways to allow yourself to enjoy Voodoo Ranger without going overboard on calories.
Low Calorie Beer Alternatives
If you are looking keep calories very low while still enjoying beer, here are some recommended low-calorie beer brands and styles usually under 100 calories per 12 oz serving:
Low Calorie Beer | Calories |
---|---|
Bud Select 55 | 55 |
Michelob Ultra | 95 |
Miller Lite | 96 |
Coors Light | 102 |
Busch Light | 95 |
Natural Light | 95 |
Light lagers like Bud Select 55, Michelob Ultra, and Miller Lite are your best options coming in at 55-100 calories. Mainstream light beers like Coors Light, Busch Light, and Natural Light are also decently low around 95 calories.
Another approach is drinking a lower alcohol session IPA or pale ale style around 4-5% alcohol rather than the 7% Voodoo Ranger. Session IPAs from craft brewers like Founders, Dogfish Head, and Lagunitas often have 120-130 calories.
Overall going with a light lager, light beer, or session style is the way to get maximum flavor while reducing calories compared to a stronger IPA like Voodoo Ranger.
Alcohol Percentages and Calories
It’s important to understand the general relationship between alcohol percentage and calorie content in beer:
– The higher the ABV (alcohol by volume), the higher the calories
This is because alcohol itself contains about 100 calories per tablespoon. A 5% beer has more alcohol than 4% beer, and thus more calories, all else being equal.
Some approximate calorie guidelines based on alcohol percentage:
Alcohol by Volume | Calories (12 oz) |
---|---|
4.2% (light beer) | 100 |
5.0% (typical lager) | 130 |
7.0% (IPA/craft beer) | 200 |
9.0% (double IPA) | 250-300 |
Of course, other factors like malt type, residuals sugars, and added adjuncts also impact calorie content. But in general, a good rule of thumb is the higher the alcohol, the higher the calorie count.
Ways Breweries Achieve High ABV with Fewer Calories
Some imperial/double IPAs or other high gravity beers can reach 9-10% ABV or more. However, many are able to keep the calorie count in check around 200-250. How is that possible with so much extra alcohol?
Brewers use various tricks to boost the alcohol percentage without increasing calories proportionally:
– Using alternate fermentable sugars like dextrose or glucose rather than malted barley. These sugars ferment completely, leaving less residual carbohydrates.
– Adding special enzymes to break down more complex sugars into fermentable sugars with less calories.
– Using higher attenuating yeast strains that leave less unfermented sugars.
– Increasing hopping rates which balance out the sweetness of higher alcohol.
– Cutting the beer with water after fermentation to reduce sweetness while keeping the same ABV.
So while high ABV beers may naturally have more calories, brewers have tools to manipulate the calorie levels through brewing methods. This allows them to create beers over 7% ABV with a moderate calorie count.
Calories in Voodoo Ranger vs. Other Beverage Options
To put the 180 calories in Voodoo Ranger IPA into context, here is a comparison of the calorie count for 12 oz of various beverage options:
Beverage | Calories |
---|---|
Voodoo Ranger IPA beer | 180 |
Red Wine | 120-130 |
Chardonnay | 120 |
Cola | 140 |
Gatorade | 130 |
Orange Juice | 110-120 |
Voodoo Ranger is moderately higher in calories than most wines or fruit juices. It has a similar calorie count as most sodas or sports drinks.
So drinking a beer like Voodoo Ranger should be seen as more of a calorie “splurge” than other light alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. If you’re tracking calories, you’ll need to be more mindful of portion sizes. Or balance it out by drinking water, tea, or starting with a lower calorie beer before switching to Voodoo Ranger.
Strategies for Drinking and Losing Weight
Enjoying beers like Voodoo Ranger while maintaining your weight or even losing weight is certainly possible. Here are some healthy strategies:
– Stick to 1-2 servings maximum to limit calorie intake. One 12 oz can of Voodoo Ranger is plenty for most people.
– Be diligent about tracking calories using an app so you know exactly where you stand each day.
– Increase exercise to burn extra calories and allow more flexibility in diet. Mix in extra cardio and strength training sessions.
– Focus on optimal nutrition in your main meals with lean proteins, veggies, fiber, and healthy fats to feel satisfied.
– Avoid drinking on an empty stomach which can lead to overconsumption of liquid calories.
– Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other zero-calorie beverages to slow pace of intake.
– Choose lighter beer options like session IPAs or light lagers when you want to cut back on calories.
With the right balance of moderation, planning, and activity, an occasional indulgence in a beer like Voodoo Ranger IPA can definitely be part of a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
– Voodoo Ranger IPA contains 180 calories per 12 oz can
– The calories come primarily from the alcohol content, with some additional calories from residual malt carbohydrates
– Voodoo Ranger is moderate in calories for an IPA, but higher than light beers or low alcohol session styles
– Drinking over ice, pacing yourself, and alternating with low-cal drinks helps moderate intake
– Higher alcohol beers have more calories, but brewing methods can reduce calories for a given ABV
– With portion control and balanced nutrition, Voodoo Ranger can be enjoyed occasionally even when trying to lose weight or stay healthy.
So the bottom line is that while Voodoo Ranger IPA is higher in calories than some beer options, there are still ways to smartly incorporate it in moderation as part of an active, balanced diet. Being mindful of serving sizes and contexts is key to enjoying these craft beers in a responsible way.