Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA is a hugely popular India Pale Ale (IPA) brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company. IPAs are hoppy, bitter beers with high alcohol content, and the hazy or juicy style that has become trendy over the last few years features tropical, citrusy hop flavors without an overly bitter finish.
With craft beer growing ever more popular, more and more people want to know exactly what they’re consuming when they crack open a cold one. Understanding calories, carbohydrates, and other nutritional information helps beer lovers make informed choices and enjoy their favorite brews in moderation. So how many calories are actually in a can or bottle of this juicy, hazy IPA?
Nutrition Facts for Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA
Let’s start by looking at the basic nutrition facts for a 12 ounce serving of Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA:
| Calories | 200 |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
With 200 calories and 12 grams of carbs per 12 ounce serving, Voodoo Ranger ranks on the moderate side for IPAs in terms of calories and carbohydrates. Many regular IPAs contain 250-300 calories per 12oz serving. So while Voodoo Ranger is certainly not a low-calorie light beer, it’s not as heavy and filling as some extra hoppy double IPAs.
Calories Compared to Other Beers
To put the calorie count of Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA into perspective, let’s compare it to some other popular beer styles:
| Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA | 200 calories |
| Bud Light | 110 calories |
| Heineken | 142 calories |
| Guinness Draught | 126 calories |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 175 calories |
| New Belgium Fat Tire | 160 calories |
Light beers like Bud Light have the fewest calories, while heavier beers like IPAs tend to have more. Voodoo Ranger contains a bit more than the average pale ale, but less than many imperial IPAs, which can clock in at 300 calories or more per 12oz serving. Overall it lands pretty typically for the style.
What Adds the Calories?
So what exactly accounts for all those calories in a juicy IPA like Voodoo Ranger? Here are the main contributors:
- Alcohol – The alcohol content of Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA is 7.5% ABV. Alcohol provides a significant number of empty calories, with about 100 calories in 12 ounces of 5% ABV beer. The higher the alcohol content, the more calories from alcohol.
- Carbohydrates – The majority of carbs in beer come from malted barley and any other grains or sugar adjuncts used in the brewing process. Juicy Haze contains both barley and wheat.
- Proteins – A small amount of calories comes from proteins derived from the barley and wheat.
- Vitamins – Small amounts of B vitamins like folate are present in beer, contributing slightly to the calorie load.
So the main calorie sources are alcohol and carbs from the grains used to brew the beer, followed by a small contribution from proteins and vitamins. The more alcohol and carbs in a given beer, the higher the calorie count will climb.
Tips for Reducing Calories When Drinking IPAs
If you want to moderate your calorie intake from beer while still enjoying delicious IPAs, here are some helpful tips:
- Opt for lighter IPAs with lower ABV – For example, Founders All Day IPA has only 120 calories per 12oz.
- Drink smaller servings – Enjoy a 8oz tulip instead of a full pint.
- Alternate with water – Have a glass of water between beers to stay hydrated.
- Eat a healthy meal beforehand – Don’t drink an IPA on an empty stomach.
- Pay attention to overall consumption – Stick to just one or two beers per occasion.
Planning ahead and being mindful of portion size, ABV, and hydration are great ways to keep your calories in check when partaking in hop-forward craft beers.
Calories in Different Serving Sizes of Voodoo Ranger
So far we’ve looked at calories in a standard 12oz serving of Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA. But this beer is also available in 16oz cans, as well as higher ABV 9% versions like Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA. How do serving sizes affect the calorie count?
Here’s a breakdown:
| 12 oz serving | 200 calories |
| 16 oz serving | 267 calories |
| 19.2 oz Stovetop | 320 calories |
Unsurprisingly, more beer equals more calories. A 16oz pint contains about 1/3 more calories than the 12oz serving. And the extra-large 19.2oz Stovetop can packs a hefty 320 calories.
When sizing up your drink, remember that those extra 4-6 ounces of beer mean an extra 50+ calories. Something to keep in mind for anyone watching their calorie intake.
Nutrition Facts for Full Range of Voodoo Beers
While this article is focused specifically on Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA, New Belgium Brewing makes a whole range of Voodoo Ranger beers. Here’s a nutrition facts comparison of some other popular Voodoo brews:
| Beer Style | Calories (12oz) | Carbs (g) | ABV |
| Voodoo Ranger IPA | 210 | 15 | 7.0% |
| Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA | 280 | 24 | 9.0% |
| Voodoo Ranger Hazy Pale Ale | 140 | 11 | 5.5% |
| Voodoo Ranger Juicifer | 165 | 12 | 6.5% |
As you can see, the imperial version packs a bigger calorie punch due to its higher alcohol percentage. The pale ale has the lowest calorie count at just 140 per 12oz serving.
Does Craft Beer Have More Calories Than Macro Lagers?
Some people assume that craft beers always have vastly higher calories and carbs compared to mass market lagers from huge brands like Budweiser, Miller, and Coors. Is this perception accurate?
The answer is – it depends! When comparing similar styles, craft and imported beers often have very similar nutrition profiles to their macro lager counterparts:
| Craft/Import Beer | Calories | Macro Lager | Calories |
| Samuel Adams Boston Lager | 175 | Budweiser | 145 |
| Heineken | 142 | Miller Lite | 96 |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 175 | Coors Banquet | 148 |
In these examples, the craft and imported brews deliver a similar calorie profile to the mass market lagers. So it’s not universally true that craft equals more calories.
However, when looking at specialty styles like IPAs, imperial stouts, or double IPAs, then the craft beer will typically have a higher caloric load. The extra alcohol and malt in those beers packs a bigger calorie punch. But for classic styles like pale ales, amber lagers, and pilsners, mainstream and craft are usually comparable.
Ways Breweries Reduce Beer Calories
For consumers watching their calorie intake, low-carb and light beer options are increasingly popular. And craft brewers have taken notice, using various techniques to create lower calorie beers without sacrificing as much flavor. Here are some methods brewers use:
- Lower the alcohol content – Less fermentable sugar means lower ABV and fewer alcohol calories.
- Use alternative grains like rice or sorghum instead of barley.
- Add enzymes that help convert more starches to fermentable sugars, reducing carbs.
- Use adjuncts like fruit to add flavor without extra carbs.
- Increase water to dilute calories and residual sugars.
- Add probiotics or prebiotics to help digest carbs and calories.
- Reduce or eliminate late kettle additions to lower residual sugars.
While these techniques do lower calories, extreme diet beers tend to lack the robust flavors and mouthfeel you expect from a fully featured craft beer. But brewers continue innovating to find the perfect balance between flavor and reduced calories.
Calories Compared to Wine and Liquor
How does beer stack up against other alcoholic beverages in terms of calories? Here’s a comparison per 5oz serving:
| Beer (5% ABV) | 150 calories |
| Wine (12% ABV) | 120 calories |
| 80 Proof Vodka | 100 calories |
| Whiskey (40% ABV) | 130 calories |
Despite having lower alcohol contents, beer generally has more calories ounce-for-ounce than wine or spirits. The starches and sugars that make up beer provide more calories than the pure alcohol in liquor. But of course, serving sizes and total alcohol consumption matter most when looking at overall caloric intake. Moderation is key, no matter your beverage of choice.
Effects on Blood Sugar and Ketosis
For people concerned about controlling blood sugar levels or maintaining ketosis on low-carb diets, alcohol can be problematic due to its carb and calorie content.
Beer in particular tends to have a greater effect on blood sugar compared to liquor or dry wines. The carbs from beer spike blood sugar, stopping ketosis in low-carb dieters. Hard alcohols like vodka and whiskey have minimal effects on blood sugar by themselves.
Of course, mixers like juice or soda will affect blood sugar as well. Overall moderation is the best policy for anyone worried about blood sugar swings or getting kicked out of ketosis. Limit yourself to 1-2 servings max per day, drink plenty of water, and don’t consume carby mixers to minimize impact on blood sugar or ketosis.
Making the Healthiest Beer Choices
While craft beer does contain a decent amount of calories, it can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle when consumed in moderation. Here are some tips for choosing optimal beers for your health goals:
- Prioritize beers with less than 5% ABV to limit calorie intake.
- Choose lighter styles like blonde ales, pilsners, and low-carb options.
- Check for any gluten-free and low-carb selections if that matches your diet.
- Consume beer with a meal, not on an empty stomach.
- Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to hydrate.
- Set limits for yourself and stick to 1-2 beers max per day.
- Savor your beer slowly – don’t just gulp it down.
Following healthy habits allows you to keep enjoying amazing craft beers as part of your overall diet and active lifestyle.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA after all? A 12oz serving contains 200 calories, moderate for an IPA but higher than light beers or macro lagers. The main sources are alcohol and carbs from malted barley and wheat used in brewing.
Compared to other Voodoo Ranger varieties, Juicy Haze IPA sits right in the middle calorie-wise. Imperial beers with higher alcohol have more calories, while lighter styles like session IPAs have fewer. When enjoying craft beer while watching your calories, prioritize lower ABV options, moderate your portions, stay hydrated, and fit it into your overall healthy diet and active lifestyle. Savor your beers mindfully, and you can still reap the joy of a delicious hoppy IPA without going overboard on calories. Cheers!
