Great Lakes Christmas Ale 12Pk

Great Lakes Christmas Ale 12-Pack is a 7.5% ABV honey-and-spice winter warmer from Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company, sold in a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles. A six-time medal winner at the World Beer Championships since 1999, this seasonal release has commanded a devoted Midwest following since its debut in the early 1990s and is widely regarded as the beer that launched the Northeast Ohio Christmas Ale tradition.
Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: Winter Warmer / Christmas Ale  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company  |  IBU: 30
Production & Heritage
Great Lakes Brewing Company, founded in 1988, operates as Cleveland’s first craft brewery out of its original Ohio City neighborhood location. Christmas Ale is credited with originating the “Northeast Ohio-style Christmas Ale” — a honey-forward, spice-driven winter warmer now emulated by breweries as far away as the West Coast. Each batch incorporates over 600 pounds of honey, 20 pounds of fresh-cut ginger, and 20 pounds of whole cinnamon sticks, all added directly into the 60-minute boil rather than post-fermentation. This method integrates the spice character deep into the beer’s malt backbone, producing a more cohesive flavor profile than extract-based or dry-spiced alternatives.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Cinnamon stick and fresh ginger lead immediately, followed by brown sugar, nutmeg, and a honeyed warmth. A toasted caramel malt base anchors the spice aromatics without being buried by them.
Taste: The entry is rich caramel malt with a pie-crust sweetness that transitions into warming ginger and cinnamon at the mid-palate. Honey rounds out the body while raisin and dark fruit notes emerge, giving the beer a fruitcake-like complexity. At 30 IBUs, hop bitterness plays a supporting role — just enough to keep the sweetness in check without competing with the spice profile.
Finish: Medium-long with a lightly boozy warmth and lingering cinnamon. Ginger adds a clean, crisp bite on the back end that prevents the finish from turning cloying.
How to Drink Christmas Ale
Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at 45–50°F to fully open the spice bouquet; proper glassware reveals layers of complexity the bottle alone does not deliver. For a holiday Boilermaker, sip a pour of bourbon alongside a glass of Christmas Ale — the caramel and honey notes in both amplify each other. It also works well in a Beer Flip, shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and freshly grated nutmeg for a rich seasonal after-dinner drink. A gently heated Beer Toddy — warmed with an extra drizzle of honey and a whole cinnamon stick — turns it into a fireside sipper on the coldest nights.
Best For
Hosting a holiday party or Friendsgiving gathering
Gifting a craft beer enthusiast during the winter season
Pairing alongside a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner spread
Stocking up before the limited seasonal release window closes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Christmas Ale taste like? Christmas Ale delivers rich caramel malt sweetness layered with warming cinnamon, fresh ginger bite, and a smooth honey backbone. Dark fruit notes reminiscent of fruitcake add depth, while moderate hop bitterness at 30 IBUs keeps the palate balanced.
How does Christmas Ale compare to Anchor Christmas Ale? Anchor Christmas Ale changes its secret recipe every year, making each vintage unique, while Great Lakes Christmas Ale maintains a consistent honey-and-spice recipe season after season. Great Lakes also leans into a more pronounced fresh ginger and cinnamon character, whereas Anchor has historically varied its spice and hop combinations annually.
Is Christmas Ale good for holiday entertaining? The 12-pack format is ideal for sharing at holiday gatherings, and the 7.5% ABV delivers enough warming body to satisfy without overwhelming casual drinkers. Its approachable spice profile appeals to craft beer veterans and lighter-style drinkers alike.
Where is Christmas Ale made? Christmas Ale is brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company at their brewery in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding in 1988.
What foods pair well with Christmas Ale? Roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham benefit from the beer’s honey sweetness and ginger bite. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echo the caramel malt character. Gingerbread or spice cake mirror the cinnamon and ginger notes directly. Pecan pie pairs naturally with the brown sugar and toasted malt flavors, and smoked sausage or bratwurst complements the beer’s malty body.
What sizes does Christmas Ale come in? Great Lakes Christmas Ale is commonly available in 12-packs and 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, as well as on draft at select locations during its seasonal release window.
Is Christmas Ale worth the price? Christmas Ale positions as a premium seasonal craft beer, and its six World Beer Championships medals alongside a RateBeer score of 93 reflect quality that justifies its price within the winter warmer category. Limited annual availability adds to both its perceived and actual value among enthusiasts.
Why Christmas Ale?
Great Lakes Christmas Ale is widely credited as the beer that started the Northeast Ohio Christmas Ale phenomenon — a regional style now brewed by dozens of craft breweries across the country. The production approach of adding over 600 pounds of honey, 20 pounds of fresh ginger, and 20 pounds of whole cinnamon sticks directly into the boil sets it apart from competitors relying on extracts or post-fermentation additions. Six medals at the World Beer Championships since 1999 validate what Cleveland beer drinkers have known for decades: this is the benchmark against which American Christmas ales are measured. Its annual autumn release remains one of the most anticipated seasonal events in Midwest craft beer, and the 12-pack format ensures there is enough to share — or enough to last through the season.