Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week": New Belgium "2 Below" Winter Ale

By Chuck Sudo on Nov 14, 2007 7:00PM

The more we dive into New Belgium's selections, the more flabbergasted we become at the popularity of Fat Tire. Sure, we've said ourselves that Fat Tire serves as an entry beer to the other offerings New Belgium brews. If conventional wisdom says that you only get one chance to make a good first impression, then Fat Tire would seem like the wrong entry point for New Belgium.

The days are getting shorter, which means we're looking for some spice in our brews. New Belgium's 2 Below Winter Ale is a wonderful option. What sets 2 Below apart from other winter ale selections, for us, is the dry hopping during fermentation. This brightens the floral aroma and esters on the nose, and brings a sharp bite of white pepper on the palate. At 6.6 percent alcohol, it also provides the illusion of keeping you warm. This is a great sipping beer, although we sampled it in the midst of a trying day and pounded it back, instead.

By now New Belgium is fairly ubiquitous on store shelves. If you can't find 2 Below at an Osco, CVS, Dominick's, or even Sam's or Binny's, you aren't trying. Seek it out, nonetheless. New Belgium 2 Below is Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."

Image via New Belgium Brewery website.