2° Below Winter Ale - New Belgium Brewing

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

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

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

Bottle was a gift from my brother via. Chicago.
Poured in to Duvel tulip

A - Light amber/brown colour; transluscent. One finger of bubbly white head that instantly disappeared.

S - Bready malts, sweet caramel and toffee. Secondary smell of hops with some light earthy and citrus notes.

T - Definitely malt flavoured. Sweet caramel with a slight spicy flavour. Biscuit and some nuttiness are present as well. Slight hop bitterness in the finish.

M - Medium body, lightly carbonated.

D - A nice winter beer, as advertised. I would gladly enjoy another bottle, although it is not spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 02:50:01 | More by TheSevenDuffs

MaltsOfGlory

Oregon

3.03/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance is pretty awful for a winter beer. It's almost transparent, not much going on in the look. It is a dark orange color, nice head though, the head is the only redeeming quality. The head is fading quickly however, looks like it might be leaving good lacing. The smell is hoppy, hoppier than I would expect a winter beer to be. In the back end of the smell you get a tiny tiny bit of malt sweetness, not a bad smell though, pretty good actually. Wow, the taste is interesting, it tastes a little watery, with the hops trying to cover it up, I know that doesn't make much sense but bare with me. Like, the body is really thin and watery, and the taste is a little watery too, but at the same time there is a very present hop bite. Not much malt at all, you get a tiny tiny bit, but not nearly as much as I would expect in a winter beer. You do however get some of that winter warmer warmth from this beer, which is nice, you also get a taste of spices. Drinkability is average, nothing special there. Overall an average beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 05:28:01 | More by MaltsOfGlory

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.08/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a snifter glass. Poured a clear dark amber color with rocky white head. Picked up aroma of floral citrus and and toasted white bread. Starts out with a dominant toasted malt bread bisquit and maybe wild flower caramel flavor. Has a medium bodied mouthfeel and will continue throughout, with that trademark toasted bread malt backbone. Nice dry hopped aroma of orange, but flat finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 02:15:27 | More by CuriousMonk

zulufactor

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A- Nice golden color with a half inch white head, good lacing

S- Citrus and pine notes

T- Light malt flavor with a strong hop finish. Touches of pine and citrus as well

M- Strong carbonation but was thinner then i anticipated

Not something i would pick up often but i was a good break from my stout and porter stint.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 04:34:39 | More by zulufactor

JamnesCameron

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a New Belgium globe.

Pours a clear copper, with a nice off white head that drops fairly quickly. Good lacing.

Aromas of bread, earthy hops, flowery and fruity.

First sip is of earthy and floral hops, sweet biscuity malt, a hint of juicy fruit gum. Short bitter finish. A bit of a carbonic bite.

Mouthfeel is chewy, medium bodied, with a light prickle of carbonation.

Very drinkable winter warmer, with an american hop touch. Good to sip next to a fire on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 02:37:54 | More by JamnesCameron

secondtooth

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Transparent golden-red appearance, with big bubbles and yellow lace.
Aroma is bold, with accents of floral, fruits, and bread. Appealing!
Flavor is complex and original -- a balanced mix of snappy hops and a wonderful sweet malt character that conjures fresh berries somehow.
A great mix that amply combines the best attributes of a pale ale with a Belgian seasonal. Lovely and delicious!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 02:23:42 | More by secondtooth

kinupanda

Texas

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pleasing medium amber/copper color. Minimal head that forms a somewhat broken, medium surface tension layer; it dissipates rapidly, and thus there is almost nonexistent lacing. The aroma is an appealing orange infused maltiness. An initial kick high in citrus that gives way to some toasty earthiness, with some slight bitterness from the hops. Good body with pleasant mouthfeel; it seems to have something for the entire tongue, and the carbonation is ideal for that. The alcohol is present but nowhere near overwhelming. A lightly spicy bitter aftertaste.

FourthBeer potential: AVERAGE, as there are other good ESBs, but this is worthy of the New Belgium name.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2011 07:31:19 | More by kinupanda

beagle75

Iowa

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a shaker pint glass.

A: Clear, light amber color with over one finger of white foam head. Moderate lacing remains around the top of the glass. Occasional bubbles rise lazily in the column.

S: Husky pale and pilsner malt, bright citrus, and green grass transmit clearly. Weak caramel and booziness are also detected.

T: Begins sweet, with lightly toasted bread, faint earthy and spicy hop aromatics, and a brief flare of acidity. Dryness increases and estery fruit emerges in the middle, displaying banana, blueberries, and bubble gum. The finish is at times mineral, astringent, and moderately bitter, with faint herbaceous notes.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, wet on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D: A mediocre pale ale from New Belgium, this beer exchanges some of the more assertive hop flavors present in their other seasonals for a double-dose of fermentation--from mixed fruit to detectable alcohol. The final product isn't really remarkable, coming across as a fruity version of Boston Lager, but it might make a good cooking ingredient.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 17:27:55 | More by beagle75

Elimination

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A winter favorite amongst a few of my friends, thought ide give it a try.

A very clear copper, glass like really, thin head

Smell of slight nuts, spiced hops, bread, malt, a mix of baked goods really.

Taste is slight nuttiness, definate biscuit malt, crackers, a little bit of low alpha hops, not bad, honestly tastes like what fat tire could be a well rounded easy drinking beer.

mouthfeel is semi thick, milky, kind of coats nicely

This is actually a pretty good beer, more of a higher end abv sessionish beer for me, not something I would savor of course, more something me and my friends might share a case of at a winter bbq

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 05:42:18 | More by Elimination

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.3/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - A solid 2 finger off-white head rests on top of a brilliant amber hued body. Thick vertical strips of lacing.

S - Huge cracker based malt, sesame seeds, pine nuts, toasted white bread, almonds, and berry fruit.

T - Excellent cracker malt, with notes of toffee, Granny smith apple peels, butterscotch, and caramel. A slight tang of citrus plays with carbonation to add a zesty bite. Citrus blends with hints of pine to add a freshness. Some nuttiness pokes it's head in. Finishes with a sweet caramel sweetness but has a spicy back to balance everything out.

M - Medium body, perfect carbonation for the style.

The malt is super complex with variations of breads, cracker, and simple caramel to make this beer a standout. The hops play their role but don't get in the way of the excellent malts. This is a must try if you like ESB's!...or any beer. I can't say enough about the malt profile.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 23:11:39 | More by StaveHooks

emmasdad

Colorado

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

Had this one at happy hour at a BBQ spot in the Northwest Denver recently, and thought it was pretty solid. Poured a medium amber color with a somewhat rocky white head. Aromas of citrus, floral hops and caramel. Medium bodied, somewhat hoppy, with toffee and caramel on the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2011 21:01:05 | More by emmasdad

GDBEERMAN

Colorado

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

12oz bottle into 8oz tasting chalice.
A: Fairly clear body, with a light amber hue. The white head pours one finger, then settles into a thin layer and almost completely faded. Slight bit of sticky lacing.
S: The common NB bready aroma, with a nice bit of spicy undertones. A medium intensity aroma, which has a nice warming effect to it.
T/M: The front of this brew is a sweet note of bready mouthfeel, the underlining malt balance is very nice and for this style, I find this to be a really good winter pick. Lingering taste, low to medium and a very nice warming.
D: This is a very sessionable brew for the ABV content and the light bodied taste. I find this one to clear out of my fridge quick, that says something about drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 22:54:32 | More by GDBEERMAN

Monsteruss

Colorado

2.42/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

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

01-11-2011 21:56:23 | More by Monsteruss

buschbeer

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in pint glass

A - It has a clear, burnt orange body. It is topped with three inches of off white head.

S - It get mild citrus hops. There's even some pine mixed in there. There is also some toffee malt.

T - Toffee and toast up front. Grapefruit and citrus on the back end.

M - Moderate. Not overly carbonated.

D - It is very well balanced. Reminds me of an APA.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 20:37:34 | More by buschbeer

albertjr21

New York

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

Best before date of 5.15.11. Consumed on 1.9.11

A: Into a mug, this yields a clear and bright orange amber color under a creamy foam head with great head retention and lacing.

S: A crisp and earthy hop dominated nose.

M/T: A bright but creamy malt feel with a complementary earthy hop accentuated crisp finish.

D: Nice for a Winter session.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 18:50:20 | More by albertjr21

OttoBomb

Illinois

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

12oz bottle poured into a DogFish Head signature glass (January 8, 2011). Best before date is March 27, 2011.

A very smooth and surprisingly noy bitter for a bitter style beer. Great lacing, color is amber/light copper. some good grain, mild hops. flavor is noy unlike a regular amber ale, with less spice a bit less hop punch. Good body and carbonation. Quite tasty, but not a spectacular example.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 05:51:06 | More by OttoBomb

manzilla86

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled: Past 3 nights (1/7/11 most recent)
Serving: From bottle into pint glass

I got a 6 pack of this for my New Year's party and nobody drank it, so I accepted the responsibility of drinking it myself (over a couple nights ;-) ).

(A) This beer has the archetype beer appearance when poured and throughout it's consumption. The color is a vividly clear golden brown and the head pours thick, billowy and retains itself.

(S) The smell is of citrusy hops-you can tell it is going to be hoppy. It's not burn-your-nostril-hairs hoppy, but you can tell it is going to be a bitter brew.

(T) I really enjoyed the taste but ranked 4 because I felt there was an inconsistency. I had this beer the past three nights and the 1st and 3rd night the beer had that strong bitter hop taste like you would expect, but the 2nd night I had it the hop taste wasn't nearly as noticeable. Some might attribute that to different foods I was eating, but for the most part I had this beer by itself while playing games or watching TV so I don't think it would be that.

(M) I am not the best at ranking mouthfeel but I certainly didn't notice anything wrong with it. It didn't stand out to me as something that was noticeably exceptional, but it didn't detract me either.

(D) The fact that I would think about consuming the beer during the day and have done so for the past three nights proves it's drinkability. Not hard to have two in a row with this one.

I definitely enjoyed this beer and would suggest it if you like a fairly strong hoppiness. It's nothing compared to some hop bomb IPA's or Double IPA's, but it's an enjoyable brew that accents one of beers great ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 07:10:54 | More by manzilla86