Now on Tap: New Belgium 2 Below

2 Degrees Below

Brewer: New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

ABV: 6.6%

You know the New Belgium flavor. Every beer the company makes has it, whether it's the slightly-there taste in 1554 or the dominant flavor as in Fat Tire, every New Belgium beer has that sweet-to-sour mouthfeel with that bitter-yet-malty finish. Most certainly a positive distinction, a trademark of sorts that comforting for fans of their beer and inviting for newcomers.

2 Degrees Below, NB's winter ale, is not immune to this characteristic. And thankfully so, because it's the prefect characteristic for a cold winter's drink. While most winter warmers get that distinction because of high alcohol levels that make the beers operate more like ports or aperitifs that usual brews. The end of the glass still offers a nice boozy feel, which for long nights in, is perfectly acceptable.

Rating: 7.2

Recommended with: A few days ago, I mentioned that I was enjoying a glass with a slice of pumpkin pie. That worked splendidly. I would think that a similarly-themed seasonal dessert, like spiced pears, would pair (sorry) just as well.