CLEVELAND, Ohio – Fall isn’t here, but the unofficial start to the holiday season has been announced: Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s First Pour party is scheduled.
The party, which marks the brewery’s release of the cult classic Christmas Ale, will be Thursday, Oct. 17.
The ale – made each year with fresh ginger, cinnamon and honey – is the top seller in the brewery’s stable of beers despite being a seasonal on the market for only 10 weeks.
The party is set to begin at its traditional time of 11 a.m., with the ceremonial keg tapping at 11:30. It’s not uncommon for fans to show up hours early no matter what the weather. Once the doors open, a pint is poured every eight seconds throughout the day.
It’s a festive event, with music, promotions and more. Brewnuts will offer special doughnuts, and a
toy drive for Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital will be held. Carolers will entertain those in line waiting for the suds.
Music schedule
• DJ Sayword, 11 a.m.
• DJ Red-I, 2:15 p.m.
• Reverend Lee, 6:15 p.m.
Also, the brewery is sponsoring a contest with the winner receiving a private brewery tour, lunch for two, prizes and the coveted spot behind the bar for the ceremonial tapping. Write who you want to share your first pour with and why. Go to greatlakesbrewing.com/merrychristmasale.
The ale’s offshoot versions also will be available. Barrel Aged Christmas Ale will return in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. And Cookie Exchange Milk Stout will be back in six-packs and draft with a new rotating cookie-inspired flavor, Peanut Butter Blossom.
Key dates
Thursday, Oct. 17: Christmas Ale First Pour party.
Friday, Oct. 18: Christmas Ale, Barrel Aged Christmas Ale and Cookie Exchange will be available to go in the gift shop.
Monday, Oct. 21: Christmas Ale, Barrel Aged Christmas Ale, Cookie Exchange and holiday pack market release in draft and retail sales. The holiday pack contains six cans of Christmas Ale and Cookie Exchange.
Great Lakes is at 2516 Market St., Cleveland.
I cover restaurants, beer, wine and sports-related topics on our life and culture team. For my recent stories, here’s a cleveland.com directory. WTAM-1100’s Bill Wills and I talk food and drink around 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter and IG: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy: “Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe” by Gray & Co.
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