Christmas Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Christmas AleChristmas Ale
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From:
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #16
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
88
Ranked #12,923
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 12.91%
Reviews:
979
Ratings:
3,369
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 27, 2024
Added:
Nov 16, 2002
Wants:
  177
Gots:
  879
Do not open ‘til Christmas? Whoever coined that phrase obviously hasn’t tasted Christmas Ale’s fresh honey, cinnamon, and ginger flavors.

A Yuletide’s worth of holiday spices and sweet honey to keep you a-wassailing all season long.

World Beer Championships 6-Time Medal Winner Since 1999 (Gold, Silver)
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jwhancher:
Photo of jwhancher
Reviewed by jwhancher from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear copper with nice frothy white head. Ample lacing clings to the glass sides. Smells as descripted: honey, ginger, and cinnamon. Spices are all very nicely balanced and not too overpowering. Some light alcohol in the nose. An underlying caramel malt sweetness seems evident.

Taste has upfront honey sweetness then ginger then cinnamon. Spices seem a little more dominant in the taste. No hop flavor, but bitterness seems to balance the malts well. Alcohol seems well in check for 7.5. Feels medium to full.

Overall, a nice and pleasant Christmas beer. Spices seem well balanced and an interesting selection at that. While spiced beers aren't my everyday cup of tea, I could enjoy a few of these annually over the holiday season.
Jan 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of dkoehler42
Reviewed by dkoehler42 from New York

3.21/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I was excited to try this seasonal ale based on the reviews. It looks like a good red winter ale with a white head. There's the faintest of sweetness in the nose and that's it. Unfortunately, the taste continues this trend. I found a slight fruit sweetness and the mouthfeel is non-existent. At least it's not bad or offensive. This could be so much better.
Jan 27, 2024
 
Rated: 3.9 by smithj4 from New York

Jan 26, 2024
 
Rated: 3.86 by DarrellK from Florida

Jan 05, 2024
 
Rated: 3.84 by Ox8840bo from Illinois

Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Jdells09 from New Jersey

Dec 27, 2023
Photo of Nass
Rated by Nass from Florida

3.96/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
The pour is amber colored. The taste is cinnamon, ginger, toasted pecans, honey, & cherries jubilee. Cheers! B
Dec 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.18 by SharPei19 from Ohio

Dec 25, 2023
 
Rated: 4.6 by Kentski from Ohio

Dec 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.55 by Beereos from South Carolina

Dec 24, 2023
Photo of JKENNEKE
Reviewed by JKENNEKE

3.77/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
December 2023. Des Plaines. Overall good little heavy on the spice. Nothing too special might be that I’m getting sick of these flavored pumpkin and Christmas beers but they are tradition anyway I wouldn’t go out on my way to buy this one again but I did enjoy it.
Dec 23, 2023
 
Rated: 4.8 by PaMike from Pennsylvania

Dec 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.85 by Oktoberfest from Ohio

Dec 16, 2023
Photo of The_Snow_Bird
Reviewed by The_Snow_Bird from Michigan

3.34/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours out a medium caramel color and a medium white head. Has a watered down malty smell. Has a delicious taste of malt and a hint of cinnamon. Goes down smooth, easy to crush.
Dec 12, 2023
Photo of DaleHolmberg
Reviewed by DaleHolmberg from Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I find this beer tastes differently each year, but it could be that I change each year. (2023) This year tastes very good, in fact the best that I can remember. Every sip from the first to the last is excellent.
Dec 12, 2023
 
Rated: 3.94 by D-Duvelicious from Illinois

Dec 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.77 by robotic_being from Illinois

Dec 08, 2023
 
Rated: 3.94 by Jacob313 from Michigan

Dec 06, 2023
Photo of RPO
Reviewed by RPO from Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dark reddish brown, weak head.
Deep malt and honey flavor, strong and warm cinnamon and ginger spice.
Cinnamon, ginger and honey were not skimped out, giving the beer a very strong and deep flavor. One of the best beers if you like deep spicy flavor notes.
Dec 06, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by kkazemi from North Carolina

Dec 04, 2023
Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 3369 ratings