2° Below Winter Ale - New Belgium Brewing

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Foam was white in color, thin and a little lacey. It had a dominate hops and citrus aroma with hints of anise and wheat. The color was a beautiful orange amber. The taste was a complete translation of the smell, a complete balance of hops and citrus with spices. Mouthfeel - medium bodied and crisp. Drinkability - not to bad. To me a simple balance of hops and citrus with some added flavors. Ok session.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 14:40:47 | More by WoodBrew

sulldaddy

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cellar temp bottle poured into a pint glass.

The beer pours a mostly clear copper hue with some streams of carbonation rising to the surface. Fluffy beige head of 2 cm foams up and fades slowly as the beer sits. Head is almost faint orange tint to it. The head leave very tightly packed lattice as it slides down the sides of the glass.

Aroma is some grainy malt and caramel, maybe some light fruitiness and a hint of grassy hops.

First sip reveals an average to light body and fine gentle rolling carbonation. Very easy to drink this smooth brew.
Flavor is mild but I get some grainy malt and caramel that mixes with just a bit of grassy mildly bitey hop on the finish. Actually kind of dry too, which I didnt expect.

Overall the beer is mild and very easy to drink. Not a bad choice for this fairly warm evening.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 04:40:41 | More by sulldaddy

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Found a lonely bottle at the pick your sixer section at the tiny local liquor store! I had heard this may not be back for a while so I jumped on it! I can't read the freshness date but I would guess it's been there a little while. The beer was poured from the brown 12 oz bottle to a NBB globe glass. Clear golden color with a nice 2 finger white head. Solid retention and nice lacing. The aroma is mostly of a malty sweetness with a fair amount of earthy piney hop character. The nose carries over to the beer where the flavor starts with the malty sweetness found on the nose. Toasted grains with a little roasty character. The beer develops to a medium bitterness and hop character. Finishes crisp and clean. Good mouthfeel and good carbonation. Easy to drink.

I am not sure when this will be out again, but I have enjoyed the offering. I hope it's hiatus is only temporary!

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 03-09-2011 13:49:03

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 14:17:08 | More by hopfacebrew

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(these notes are from December 23, 2010)
This is one I've had on tap at various locations, might have had a bottle, but what I tasted from this bottling did not remind me of what I had before. The winter ale from New Belgium Brewing, 2 (degrees) BELOW (hey, they're the ones who capitalize it.)

New Belgium 2 Below Ale…"We like to think we beat winter at it's own game a 2 BELOW Winter Ale, a bright warming blast of Sterling and Liberty hops along with tawny-roasted malts. By pushing our 2 BELOW into a final, nearly freezing state, it's ample structure develops a brilliant clarity, Dry-hopping during fermentation creates a bright, hoppy palate and a cheery warm afterglow. Serve at 3 C (37 F) Acl. 6.6% by Vol.)"

So that's what they say, here's what I say…

Crystal-clear, auburn appearance, pale crimson, with a dotted white head, leaving lace.

Aromatics, hops up front, lightly bitter and herbal, a mix of English and American hop characteristics, a little sweet fruit peeps in for a moment. Bitterness continues on the tongue, with, yes, a bright, cheery flavor below. Crisp and clean, but a little too lean in body for my liking. For a winter ale, I'd like to taste something darker and a bit heavier.

This pleases the pale ale/IPA lover in me, but my taste buds are yearning for darker malts when you say "winter ale." However, as I strive to judge beers on their own, versus what I wish they were, it's hard to really complain.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 08:40:08 | More by feloniousmonk

bayougutter

Louisiana

2.5/5  rDev -31.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured a clear light orange- amber with a two finger white soapy head. decent retention and lacing was ok.

Smell of bready yeast, slight malt aroma, and a little citrusy alcohol. Not bad, it just left me hanging.

Taste is bready malts followed by some citrus hops. A little confusing at the end with some metalic alcohol. Not so good.

Mouthfeel is ok with crisp dryness on the end.

Overall I didn't like very much, but didn't hate either. It's one of those.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 20:36:47 | More by bayougutter

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: sharp deep orange, bubbly body, trace head, zero lacing.

S. big bready malt, hint of clean grass/pine.

T: firm malt body, with floral and earthy, low subtle bitter

M: med/light body, plenty of carbonation

D. Solid, but not spectacular. For some reason, when I drink this I don't think of it as a winter ale nor an ESB. Certainly not a bad beer.

FINE, BUT NO NEED TO SEEK IT OUT!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 16:40:47 | More by BeerLover99

thegodfather1076

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer was served out of a 12oz. bottle dispensed into a glass....

Presentation - Very cool label. I love NB Label artwork and bottles.

Appearance - Pours a clear golden amber color with a nice 2 finger white airy head. Has a slight carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. Leaves a nice lacing on the glass.

Smell - Smells of bread-like yeasty maltiness with hints of pine.

Taste - Biscuit like malt taste with a piney hop flavor. Medium bitterness with hints of spice.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied and lightly carbonated has a creamy mouthfeel.

Drinkability - An overall good drinkable beer that is very well put together.

Nothing sectacular but still a very good. I would recommend trying this if the chance arises.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 00:02:41 | More by thegodfather1076

Tilley4

Tennessee

3.05/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked up a single recently and I popped it open this weekend...

Lots of sweet maltiness rolling off of this one along with a healthy dose of piney hops to boot... Much like the Mighty Arrow spring seasonal with a bigger malt base... an interesting take on a winter release...

Sweet caramel maltiness pervades and seems to dominate and mops the floor with hops quite frankly... extremely faint hoppiness lingers in the distance watching the sweet grainy malts do their thing...

A fairly decent drinker but probably not one I will await with bated breath next winter...

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 19:15:19 | More by Tilley4

devilishprune

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

New Belgium 2 Below 12/6/10

A. Strikingly clear light orange. Aggressive pour yields little head that doesn't stick around long.

S. Very malty. Maybe some hops in there somewhere

T. Taste is sweet malty as well, but the beer finishes dry and grainy. Taste is slightly flowery/purfumey. Alcoholy finish.

M. Light mouthfeel, with high prickly carbonation.

D. Very easy to drink because it isn't too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 22:40:48 | More by devilishprune

JayQue

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A good, solid balanced ale!! Pours a clear light amber color with a medium sized nicely carbonated head. Good retention and light rings of lacing on the glass.

Smell is robust, mostly malty. Tastes good. Very well balanced, primarily slightly sweet malt but with a mild hops bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel is crisp and rich. Overall a well made beer...a lawnmower beer for the wintertime!!!

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 19:13:54 | More by JayQue

a2marzman83

Iowa

2.6/5  rDev -29%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Clear light amber with one inch of tan head that fades with some lacing

Huge pine aroma from the hops hits my nose first. Other earthy tones follow, almost a fresh soil smell. A sweetness is present that fits nicely with the piney hops. This is an interesting specimen for sure. I would not call this a WW or an ESB but I enjoy the smell of whatever this is.

What I liked in the nose is what I don't like in the flavor. Very complex, not very harmonious. The bitterness is overpowering all other flavors which may be a good thing since what I do detect seems also disjointed. A Sweet breadyness mixed with earthy hops with a bunch of random spices thrown on top.

Mouthfeel is ok, medium body slightly over carbonated.

My guess is that this one will be a love it of hate it for BAs. It had me at hello and then lost me in too many competing flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 13:52:48 | More by a2marzman83

IchabodcraneIpa

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass from the bottle

The color of this one was a pale Amber color with a ring of foam around the top.

The smell of the 2 below to me, is a hop aroma that is met with some spices and malts.

The taste of this one was surprisingly bitter at first sip but the bitterness was met with a crazy good malt sweetness and some nice flavors from spices possibly that really went well together. The beer itself is called two below, and I actually feel like the beer has a sort of chilling quality to the flavor that should not be missed.

The mouthfeel of this one was pretty dry and it was also a little heavier on the carbonation.

Overall this is an excellent winter seasonal and it took me many trips to the store before I finally picked up a six pack. Needless to say I drank the whole thing without any difficulty and was very glad to have finally tried 2 below out.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 04:54:37 | More by IchabodcraneIpa

NatetheGreat

Nevada

4.45/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this was an awesome brew! I anticipated a good beer, but not one of the best beers I've ever had. I don't mean to sound over-enthusiastic, but this was exceptional from top to bottom (literally!).

A: big head with lots of bubbles, light amber colored beer; very appealing.

S: the nose begins with a burst of vibrant citrus fruit, sweet and sharp, and finishes with crisp pine. enticing aroma.

T: smooth and mellow; perhaps a tad sweet. certainly tamer than the aroma. some toasted grain and caramel sweetness. didn't wow me but was very good.

M: incredibly smooth and balanced; not watery but also not too syrupy or thick.

D: with this great brew, highly drinkable and just a wonderfully pleasant surprise. one of the best winter ales I've had.

Drink this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 05:11:47 | More by NatetheGreat

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours a medium honey gold, thin white head holds as a film.

Smells of brown sugar and mild spices.

Tastes of mild hops and subtle brown sugar malt sweetness.

Body on the fuller side with mild carbonation.

Good bitter ale, not great but very good, worth trying. Sort of mild.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2011 01:18:39 | More by Cylinsier

kojevergas

California

2.4/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Bottle into cup (I know...) in high altitude Colorado Springs, CO (aka the place in Colorado where people go either for cheap real estate, cocaine, or a mixture of both).

A: Pours a clear gold-copper with a thin head of decent retention.

Sm: Light clean scent of hops, malt, and barley (the usual suspects.

T: Pathetic open to strangely built, unbalanced body with a bitter finish.

Mf: Nicely coarse, but doesn't suit the style. Too wet.

Dr: 6.6% is excellent for the price, but the taste doesn't justify having it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 16:19:46 | More by kojevergas

elgiacomo

Georgia

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, best by June 5, 2011

Pours clear amber with a two finger foamy off-white head. Leaves nice drippy rings of lacing and holds a creamy cap.

Aroma is floral hops with a touch of citrus and grass, caramel malt and bread. Moderate to good strength.

Flavor is caramel malt, pine/grass hops, some citrus, bread, hint of spice, moderate sweetness followed by solid bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, medium carbonation.

Good ESB!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 20:50:59 | More by elgiacomo

PrivateEquity

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Nothing special about the Appearance. Orangish-Amber color. Okay lacing.

S - Solid malty smell, almost like dough. Hints of spice.

T - I like the spicy hoppiness to this winter ale. Good balance betweeen malt and hops.

M - Solid carbonation, but maybe just a little too much up front. Medium body.

D - Very drinkable beer. Finished it quick and looking for another.

Overall - Hoppy Winter Warmer. Interesting beer. It's a beer that I look forward to having in the winter. In a sampler pack of winter beers, it will stand out and add to the batch. Don't know is I would classify this as an Extra-Special or Strong Bitter.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 06:18:29 | More by PrivateEquity

jdspears41

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I got this in a sample pack and I enjoyed it enough to drink the 3 bottles provided in the pack in one night. My wife drank a half a glass and also liked it.

A- Basic color or New Bel brew co beers. It didnt shout DRINK ME but wasnt like water.

S- I liked the smell of this beer a lot, it really made me want it.

T-Great taste, I liked it alot, nothing more nothing less

M- More carb than their 1554 and it had a better after taste as well.

D-I liked it alot, could drink a sixer of this with no problems.
Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 03:09:53 | More by jdspears41

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Orange in color, pretty clear with some bubbling. The head is sticky and fairly tall for its style, with a pleasant craggy recession. Glass lacing is minimal. Aromatic with the nose deep in the glass, somewhat toasted barley note with an herbal hop character. The flavor is pretty mild, lead by a toasted barley and general earthiness. Hopping is quite faint, and somewhat herbal. A little too faint in the mouth and light overall to make a good impression.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 03:53:37 | More by BretSikkink

jadpsu

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a bright and crystal clear copper with a nice off brown head, with slightly better than average retention, along with decent side lace.
S: pine and floral hops most prominant, along with some roasted malts showing up.
Taste: Toasty, bready malts, a little sweet up front, then finishes with some piny hops along with a hint of caramel.
Well balanced, enjoyed this one, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 19:23:34 | More by jadpsu

JMad

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I poured this one from a 12 oz bottle to a pint glass...

It pours a pretty bright, orange amber color with a thick bubbly white head.

In the nose I detected some pine, sugar cookie, a hint of alcohol and pepper.

The taste was a bit spicy, sweet roasted malt, some type of cake maybe, with a very slight bitterness.

This beer is smooth, light and bubbly.

Overall this beer looks great, smells good, and drinks very easy.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 23:42:57 | More by JMad

Erish

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I poured this 12 oz. bottle into a nonic pint glass. Bottle marked best before 01 May 2011.

A: clear, brilliant yellow-amber color, an aggressive pour produced a magnificent, creamy head that fell into a thick cap with good lacing.

S: a pronounced pine hop aroma surrounds a bread-like core, and underneath there is a subdued and earthy New Belgium trademark yeast aroma.

T: the bread-like core hits first, followed by a slowly rising spice, dried fruit, citrus and pine hop flavor, giving way to pine and herbal hop notes that lay on top of a bitter dryness.

M: medium-bodied, lightly creamy, moderate carbonation.

D: this is a very nice ESB, and one that I will seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 02:59:31 | More by Erish

bastardface

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer I have seen on tap but never tried it. I went to the beer store and saw that it was available in bottles and decided to pick it up. The semell is fairly hoppy an to my surprise is pretty drinkalbe. It leave no aftertaste and is has a really good moutjfeel. This is a light but not to light beer that is easily drinkable. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 01:53:53 | More by bastardface

NickRivers

California

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 12oz. that came in the Winter Folly Pack. Awesome by the way.

A - Golden yellow with a nice head that dies pretty fast with no lacing.

S - Hoppy, caramel, malt.

T - Bitter, hoppy, some malt, spices, bready.

M - Weird Carbonation. Gassy at first then dies to flat.

D - Pretty easy drinkin'.

I had some of these during Christmas and was blown away. Nice hop flavor and use of light spices. I then saved a bottle for now, (About 2 1/2 Months Later). Im not sure if it went bad, despite the bottle's date being fresh. I really did like it which is why my review is above average. I felt like it was a lighter bodied, more hoppy Fat Tire. I'll be sure to buy it again next year, and also compare it to this batch. Like I said the last ones I had weren't watery at all. For those who say: "Hoppy Winter Beer?" Try Sierra Nevada Celebration.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 23:58:06 | More by NickRivers

sauron681

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a off color copper. Good head and lacing the whole time. Very carbonated, and medium light mouthfeel. Aroma of citrus and hoppy goodness.
Very roasty malty flavor, finishes with a light dryness. Clean and smooth going down, not chalky at all. Notes of subtle spice, hard for me to distinguish any real predominant flavor, maybe its to well balanced?

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 04:51:05 | More by sauron681