Baby, it's cold outside. Really cold. Even here in the south, it's shaping up to be a colder than average winter this year, as I remarked standing in line waiting for a store to open late Thanksgiving night.  No problem, though, Colorado's New Belgium Brewery claims to have a cure for that: Two Degrees Below Ale. This is the winter seasonal from this Belgian-inspired, if not always styled, brewer.

New Belgium says they dry hop during fermentation, and I can see that, since the beer has a dry herbal trait that runs through it. They also boast of a "bright, warming blast of Sterling and Liberty hops", and while there be hops here, a blast of them I certainly would not proclaim. Finally, they claim they push the beer to almost freezing before bottling to clarify and clean it up.

New Belgium Two Degrees Below Ale pours to a brilliant golden brown color with a medium sized creamy white head formation and good carbonation. A light stream of bubbles continues to rise to the head for some minutes after pouring, and a moderate layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of my glass after sipping. The nose delivers a touch of herbal, slightly piney hops.

I have high hopes for this one, but when I take a sip I'm a little disappointed, I think. The body of the beer is medium at best; I was expecting a beer with more heft to it. There is a touch of chocolate, though, which manifests as a very subtle dark malt character. Not so much as say, Red Hook Winterhook, mind you, but it's there. The hops come back at the end, just a hint herbal and grassy, a hint resiny, but certainly no Celebration here. Still, the dry hop character does balance nicely.

The extra alcohol (Two Below has an alcohol content of 6.6% by volume) makes this a bit warming, which is appropriate for the winter season. But overall I find this an average brew and not much more. To be fair, it's below average in price, as well ( I picked up a six-pack for $7.99). But in my book this a three star beer at best-perhaps appropriately so, as on a five star scale that would be two below the max.

Another example of a solid, but not outstanding, beer from New Belgium, whom I see more and more as a highly overrated brewing concern.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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