March 8th, 2024 - The Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force is Back for the Attack

 

Hello and happy Friday rockers!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here pairing Dokken's great album "Back For The Attack" and a crisp, juicy, and dangerously delicious Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA!  Hell yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Dokken
• Title: "Back For The Attack"
• Recorded: December 1986 and August 1987 at One on One in North Hollywood, Music Grinder in Hollywood, Total Access in Redondo Beach, Rumbo in Los Angeles and Can-Am in Los Angeles 
• Release date: November 2nd, 1987 (4th studio album by Dokken)
• Record company: Elektra Records
• Production: Neil Kernon
• Album cover art: Dave "The Knave" Williams
• Personnel: Mick Brown (drums and backing vocals), Don Dokken (lead vocals), George Lynch (guitars), and Jeff Pilson (bass and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal, power pop
• Sound: That early heavy metal sound of Dokken... bold, bombastic, and melodic... you gotta love it!  Lynch tearing it up on guitar, Brown pounding the hell outta those drums, Pilson thumpin' like a madman on the bass, and the soaring, rich vocals of Don Dokken... wonderful!!
• Major themes: Love, desire, passion, loss, regret, rock and roll, power, dreams, darkness, night, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Kiss Of Death"
2. "Prisoner"
3. "Night By Night"
4. "Standing In The Shadows"
5. "Heaven Sent"
6. "Mr. Scary"
7. "So Many Tears"
8. "Burning Like A Flame"
9. "Lost Behind The Wall"
10. "Stop Fighting Love"
11. "Cry Of The Gypsy"
12. "Sleepless Night"
13. "Dream Warriors"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Colorado)
• Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/ 
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA
• Style: Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale (IIPA) / Double IPA (DIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 9.5%
• IBUs: 33
• Ingredients: Pahto, Amarillo, Centennial, Galaxy, Sabro, Lotus, and Strata hops with Pale, Oats, and Wheat malts 
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA pours a very hazy, bright golden-yellow with a frothy, bright white, 1-finger head with good retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very fruity, floral, citrusy, malty, and slightly boozy.  There are aromas of Hawaiin Punch, mango, peach, a hint of fresh pineapple, light orange zest, wildflowers, green hop flowers, caramel, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force follows the nose with lots of fruity, punchy, hop-forward, citrusy flavors.  There are big notes of fruit punch along with more subtle notes of mango, peach, pineapple, orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, and caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA's mouthfeel is very crisp and juicy with a dry, boozy, and sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The very crushable, yet bold flavors of the New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA are great for the intricate guitar work of Lynch, the driving and thunderous drums of Brown, and thumping rhythms of Pilson's bass, while the sessionable drinkability and refreshing character works well with Don's vocals.

Cheers!!  Rock on!!