-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Christmas Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- From:
- Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
Ranked #15 - ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #12,946 - Avg:
- 3.95 | pDev: 12.91%
- Reviews:
- 979
- Ratings:
- 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)
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 tectactoe:
Reviewed by tectactoe from Michigan
4.32/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours an orange and amber hybrid color with a ton of red hues and a pretty exceptional amount of clarity all around. Small white head fades quick and doesn't leave much lacing at all.
The nose.... what to say about the nose. Full of a basket of toasted malts and spices - most prominent being cinnamon, but also included are nutmeg and maybe some ginger. There's really so much going on and it's executed with a careful hand; there's really something to be admired in the aroma profile.
The taste hits with an incredibly unique and well-executed balance of sweet and spicy malt - sweetness in the form of caramel, toffee, and butter, and spicy in the form of cinnamon and nutmeg. Very nutty, and with the spices, it resembles a warm pecan pie.
Yeast is noticeable in the background, provides a nice bready and buttery aftertaste (think Christmas sugar cookie). Honey is hard to detect, but is noticeable at the tail end as the beer starts to warm up a little bit. Medium body, not too sticky on the mouth, low to medium carbonation.
This beer tastes like Christmas in a bottle. The fact that it's a holiday release makes it all the more alluring and I feel like a little kid on Christmas when I finally get my hands on some.
Nov 09, 2012The nose.... what to say about the nose. Full of a basket of toasted malts and spices - most prominent being cinnamon, but also included are nutmeg and maybe some ginger. There's really so much going on and it's executed with a careful hand; there's really something to be admired in the aroma profile.
The taste hits with an incredibly unique and well-executed balance of sweet and spicy malt - sweetness in the form of caramel, toffee, and butter, and spicy in the form of cinnamon and nutmeg. Very nutty, and with the spices, it resembles a warm pecan pie.
Yeast is noticeable in the background, provides a nice bready and buttery aftertaste (think Christmas sugar cookie). Honey is hard to detect, but is noticeable at the tail end as the beer starts to warm up a little bit. Medium body, not too sticky on the mouth, low to medium carbonation.
This beer tastes like Christmas in a bottle. The fact that it's a holiday release makes it all the more alluring and I feel like a little kid on Christmas when I finally get my hands on some.
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2024Rated by Nass from Florida
3.96/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
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, 2023Reviewed by JKENNEKE
3.77/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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, 2023Reviewed 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
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, 2023Reviewed 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
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, 2023Reviewed by RPO from Minnesota
4.49/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
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, 2023Deep 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.
Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
3369 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!