Oh Christmas Ale - A tribute to Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale

Comments

That song is downright awful. Where’s my bottle opener…

by APV on Dec 19, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply actions

I apologize to those who are unfortunately still at work.

by Ryan on Dec 19, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

we should get together when i’m back in Canton to have a couple of these…

by Brick. on Dec 19, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

That unfortunately was the last one.

by Ryan on Dec 19, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

I have that exact bottle opener. I was in desperate need, and it was 70 cents.

by fleerdon on Dec 20, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

That exact model, I should say. I did not buy Ryan’s bottle opener, for any sum.

by fleerdon on Dec 20, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it looks cheap and is cheap, but it works.

by Ryan on Dec 20, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I’m on the verge of hating Christmas Ale because it’s so popular.

Someone should do a song about Edmund Fitzgerald… the beer, I mean.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 19, 2008 2:54 PM EST reply actions

ah, the classic critic’s dilemma…like something that’s popular or hate something that you like because it’s popular.

by Ryan on Dec 19, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, I kid of course.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 19, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

Ed Fitz is a better beer overall in my opinion. but CA is only around for a certain time of year.

by Brick. on Dec 19, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Also, B.O.S. is right there. you will black out if you have too many, but that is a tastey beer.

by Brick. on Dec 19, 2008 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Edmund Fitzgerald is probably the best porter I’ve ever had. But I’m not always in the mood for a porter, while I’m rarely not in the mood for a tasty ale.

by APV on Dec 19, 2008 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Edmund Fitzgerald is probably the best porter I’ve ever had.

Without a doubt for me.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 19, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

E.F. is fantastic. Also extremely good is Yuengling Porter. (Available across the border in PA.). This here is prime porter drinking weather.

by ganatz on Dec 19, 2008 7:17 PM EST up reply actions

Now this is a man who appreciates the idea of drinking weather.

by NickFantana on Dec 20, 2008 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

weather just goes down so smooth

by Logodaedalus on Dec 21, 2008 2:12 AM EST up reply actions

i can never remember which of you was smart about this argument

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Dec 21, 2008 2:30 AM EST up reply actions

You agreed with Steel, if I remember correctly.

by NickFantana on Dec 21, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Porters are great for winter. Fantastic. But sometimes I just have a craving and I won’t let the month tell me when I can have a certain beer.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Dec 22, 2008 12:25 AM EST up reply actions

In fact if I have the willpower I’m going to save one Christmas Ale until June. God that will be a wonderful summer night.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Dec 22, 2008 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

i can get behind this

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Dec 22, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

terrible.

by emil minty on Dec 19, 2008 3:47 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, not very good, but that (stuff) is truly strong. I hope my re-up arrives tonight with my houseguests in DC.

by cleveland teamer on Dec 19, 2008 4:35 PM EST reply actions

office christmas luncheon at the melting pot, 4 of these downed already by 6:00.

should be a good night.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on Dec 19, 2008 5:54 PM EST reply actions

I’ve just become a big fan of Deschutes’ Jubelale, out of Bed, OR. Can’t get the GLBC brews in the PNW …

by macasson on Dec 19, 2008 7:39 PM EST reply actions

ahem, Bend, Oregon …

by macasson on Dec 19, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

Oregon is majestic beer country…

by jds16 on Dec 19, 2008 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

mmmmmmmmmmmm, Pacific Ocean.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Dec 26, 2008 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

I like the Deschutes brewery… On the rare occasion when I want something a bit lighter than an IPA, the Mirror Pond Pale Ale is pretty good

by Logodaedalus on Dec 20, 2008 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

Hey macasson … am in Vancouver myself …. shall we meet up for a Tribe game this season?

by talonk on Dec 27, 2008 2:17 AM EST up reply actions

I came home for the holidays to northern Ohio last night, got in about 4 am. Today, at noon, I went to the local Kroger and bought four 6-packs of Christmas Ale which was their entire stock. I got in line and the guy in front of me saw me put it all on the conveyer. He said “So you’re the guy that bought all of those.” I said, “Do you want a sixer?” He said, “No, you got to them first.”

I’m about to drink the first one.

by NickFantana on Dec 20, 2008 9:54 PM EST reply actions

I stopped at the Heinen’s near Southpark Mall in Strongsville to pick some up while the wife went shopping and they actually had a sign under the Thirsty Dog “Seasonal Ale” (or something like that) that said, “try this instead of GLX-MasAle”, because the shelf for X-Mas Ale was empty.

I did not and opted to live the High Life.

by The DiaTriber on Dec 20, 2008 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

wow, that’s loyalty

by Logodaedalus on Dec 21, 2008 2:14 AM EST up reply actions

I was pleasantly surprised that Christmas Ale made it this far into the season before running out. Last year, it was early December in my neck of the woods—and I live with walking distance to the brewery. I’m guessing Great Lakes upped production and managed distribution better.

by PatBordersHelmet on Dec 21, 2008 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

Dude the Thirsty Dog Xmas ale is actually excellent

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 21, 2008 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

OK, Turk…I’ll try it if you say it’s good.
My brother brought over a sixer of X-Mas Ale and one of Eddie FItz for a kid’s birthday party (that’s a good brother) that I have to work through before the Thirsty Dog makes it into the fridge, but I’m game.

by The DiaTriber on Dec 22, 2008 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

Give it a shot. I’ve heard a lot of folks say it’s like what the “old” Xmas ale used to be like. Actually had an excellent “winter” ale today – Troegs Mad Elf. Very dangerous, one of those 11% deals that doesn’t taste like it has any alcohol in it. Highly recommended.

Also!

Buckeye Beer Engine in Lakewood. That is all.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 22, 2008 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

had the mad elf at the beer engine a week ago (went with their sampler offer there, excellent choice if only for a few bucks more) and I agree….good stuff.

by hans on Dec 22, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

Really, the BBE is a good spot? I always pass it and am intrigued.

I live about 5 minutes from there and (while my “going out hat” generally remains on it’s hook) I’ll definitely give it a whirl. It used to be a place called Martini’s when my (future) wife lived on Mars (the street in Lakewood, not the…forget it), which was walking distance and VERY dangerous.

by The DiaTriber on Dec 22, 2008 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

BBE is, as of right now, my favorite bar ever. About 30 beers on tap and nearly 150 in bottles. Also, perhaps the best burgers I’ve had — ever. Went there for the first time on Friday night and liked it so much I went back there today for lunch. I’m in Cleveland all week for Xmas… would love to get together for a drink there, though I’d completely understand if you don’t have time. Let me know.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 23, 2008 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

Did you try the Beer Caps?

by PatBordersHelmet on Dec 23, 2008 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

No! Enlighten me… what are those?

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Dec 25, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Deep fried jalapeño slices with a southwestern dipping sauce.

(They don’t destroy your intestines nearly as much as you’d expect.)

by PatBordersHelmet on Dec 26, 2008 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

if you guys have access to Mikkeller beers, the Santa’s Little Helper is the first xmas ale i’ve found that is at worst neck and neck and possibly better than GLBC’s. all his stuff is amazing – the Beer Geek Breakfast is outstanding.

by Brick. on Dec 23, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions