Trying an IPA with Ryan that is probably more West Coast than I prefer. Hop Raider sounds very hop forward with the accompanying bitterness level. High white head that disciplates quickly. Medium yellow with a small tint of red, has a little haze to it. Aroma brings a lot of hoppy bitterness. The citrus is undistinguishable. Light crisp texture. Flavor has the overpowering hoppy bitterness that I was expecting. Citrus is more of the pith and peel of an orange, small characteristics of a pulp from either orange or grapefruit. So far in the background it's hard to distinguish. No sweetness, finish carries the flavor to the end. Probably a good beer for IPA lovers. For me, not so much. This beer is dominated by hops with only some minor citrus flavors in the background.

Preamble: As I said before I wanted to compare the Hop Raider vs the IPA. I thought they tasted the same. Well I saved a Hop Raider and picked up a VD variety pack this weekend which included the IPA. Compare: Definite difference in the color as you can see. The Hop Raider seems to have a stronger fruitier taste. The IPA has just tad bit more a maltier side and hoppier side but is also a bit weaker just from an overall taste. Conclusion: They really do taste similar. Hop Raider is a bit more intense on the fruit side. The IPA is weaker on taste but has more of a malty/hoppy taste. They just have a very similar taste. Commentary: So I took one for the team and had to drink 2 different beers at the same time. It is part of the sacrifices I do for this app …….

Yet to have a bad Voodoo but I'm still partial to the Imperial. This one has a nice, slight bitterness on the finish.

This really tastes just like the Voodoo Ranger IPA (and I have a lot of them). I really don’t taste a difference even tho this has a higher abv. I have a 6 pack so I may have to save one and get a Voodoo Ranger IPA and try side by side. I think that will be a true test. A lot of these in the Voodoo Ranger series are similar anyway.