Great Lakes Christmas Ale - Great Lakes Brewing Company

GreenWBush

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dusty bronze. Tracing, clingy lace.

Mentholyptus on nose with gingerbread, cinnamon, and hints of honey and nutmeg. Reminds me a bit of GLBC's Dortmunder Lager underneath the spicing.

Taste is somewhat spicy, but balances well with the honeyed malt profile. Almost 'Asian' spices swimming around underneath the well balanced flavor profile.

Drying on the palate, and keeps a crisp taste throughout. Good drinkability. Seems like a good special occasion beer that could easily be shared with non beer-geeks. Velvet, amazing mouthfeel.

This has easily been one of the best seasonal beers i've tasted to date. Not over-the-top with funky spices, but well-integrated, tasty, drinkable, and seems 'seasonal' without being beer-perfume.

Oh, and you can't taste the alcohol in this one at all. Well built.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2005 16:57:41 | More by GreenWBush

battlekow

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm reviewing three winter warmers that we just got in at the store: this, Avery Old Jubilation, and Anderson Valley Winter Solstice.

Christmas Ale is by far the lightest, most innocent looking of the three. It's got a clear red-amber body and a small, finely-bubbled white head. It smells quite toasty. It makes me want to curl up by the fire, but I'm too postmodern for that. Also some fruit in the smell.

A digression: We had a customer come in the other day, complaining that the Christmas Ale that had come so highly recommended had in fact tastes like "Christmas trees." Resisting to urge to point out that it is, after all, called CHRISTMAS ALE, I could merely tell him that I myself did not find the beer either very hoppy or spiced, which is the truth.

The bottle says it's made with ginger, cinnamon, and honey, and it definitely tastes a little gingery, with some sweet honey smoothness, but it's really not particularly flavorful. Does have a tasty toasted finish corrosponding with the nose.

Conclusion: A lightly spiced, easy drinking, fairly unremarkable holiday beer that hides its alcohol well.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2005 23:40:46 | More by battlekow

maxpower

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle pours a clear bright copper color with a decent creamy off white head that leaves some lacing in my glass. Spicy ginger bread cookie aromas, starts with spicy cinnamon and ginger flavors with honey in the end. Medium bodied with smooth mouthfeel, finishes very dry. It is hard to believe this is 7.5 %.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2005 19:17:14 | More by maxpower

budsboy

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours bright orange-amber, crystal clear, with a small white head that shrinks back quickly to a skimming of white on the top.

Smells of spice and malt: Sweet sugary carmel, cinnamon, maybe nutmeg, corriander.

Taste is sweet carmel malt, nearly cloying but backing off just in time, balanced by cinnamon-like spices and a green hop bitterness. Aftertaste is a tingling bitterness that lasts.

Medium-bodied and slick mouthfeel. Carbonation is subdued.

One of my favorite seasonals and one that makes me happy to live in Ohio. Another real treat from the professionals at Great Lakes. Quality stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2005 23:03:49 | More by budsboy

UDbeernut

New York

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: copper hue with a 1/2" foamy head that stays for a good bit

Smell: sweet malt with a hint of ginger and spice

Taste: creamy with a hint of hops, spice, and acohol.

Drinkability: this beer is great on a cold winter day. Leaves the pallet wishing for more!

The only drawback of this beer is the price I paid, but I am sure you can find it cheaper.

Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2005 21:25:00 | More by UDbeernut

hero27

Iowa

2.98/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Translucent, dark amber color. A thin head which leaves minimal lacing due to the oily consistency of this brew. Subtle aromas of ginger and honey.. Sweet honey flavor combined with spices. Somewhat clumsy..seems like ingredients are just thrown together, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure I agree with the combination of honey and spices like this..just seems like they mixed a honey beer and a spicy beer together by accident. I couldn't really pick up individual flavors, so it left me with a spicy honey aftertaste. Medium bodied, oily mouthfeel. Fairly drinkable, but this holiday offering from GL didn't really impress me all that much. I'll look forward to Anchor OSA for my spicy holiday fix.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2005 00:19:27 | More by hero27

PBRstreetgang

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a copper hue, very clear. A creamy off white head of two fingers has excellent retention, and leaves some nice patchy lacing. Some noble hops and pale malt in the nose, but mostly ginger, cinnamon, annd some indistinct holiday spices. The sweet toasted malt flavor melds ginger and faint pine into the taste, and the bittering hops cleanse the palate leaving a dry aftertaste, with some residual honey. Appropriatly spiced, but leans towards the bitter side. The spice and pine flavors become cloying, even with good carbonation and a medium body. A harsh finish detracts greatly from the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2005 06:36:21 | More by PBRstreetgang

beck4020

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a rather appropriate ale for the winter months. There is a very clear but dark auburn color and very little head develops. The alcohol is rather prevalent but it is hidden to a degree by the noticeable smell of spices, which gives the ale both a distinct smell and taste. Although this is darker ale, temperature is very important in this case. A little colder is better for this gem of Great Lakes.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2005 00:31:21 | More by beck4020

karengarys

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This pours amberish brown, leaving little head. Not cloudy.

Smells good like Christmas spices - I actually pick up cinnamon mostly, but there is beer stuff too like hops and malts lurking.

Taste is nice and rich, malty and spicy - a bit of alcohol comes through too.

mouthfeel is pretty good - but get it while its cooler, as it warms it flattens out.

The finish is clean, and an alcohol swipe cleans the pallet.

This is a very drinkable beverage and I highly recommend it. It isn't too sharply spiced as some, but it still has that holiday flavor. Try it!

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2005 04:03:59 | More by karengarys

deejaydan

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow. Pours a deep orange color. Slightly decent head and retention here. Aroma is spicy, perhaps cloves, perhaps ginger? Taste is great. Malts, fruits, and spice playing well together. Mouthfeel is thick. I can see how this could warm you up on a cold winter's day. The alcohol is well hidden in this beer as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2005 21:49:13 | More by deejaydan

hustlemuscle

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Please note, this review is from an aged bottle. Drink by date of
01-08-05, consumed 07-30-05. Kept chilled.

Pours a very nice, crystal clear amber, with suspendies, but not cloudy. Still smells of cinnamon and spices, nutmeg, but much more subdued than a fresh bottle. The taste is equally subdued, in my opinion to the better. Still spicy, gingerbread cookie spices, christmas cookie spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, ginger. Easier on the toungue as well, smoother, and the hops come out, they were a little hidden in fresher bottles. I think it is easier to drink with a little maturity. Much smoother, a little less burn from the spices. Overall a very nice beer, even though the last thing I need to be in July is 'warmed!'

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2005 01:21:48 | More by hustlemuscle

Backer2004

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Christmas in July anyone? I went to a cash bar event near Cleveland last night and this one the only Great Lakes offering. Still much better than any other option there and only $2.50 a bottle. Nice cinnamon and spices, with hints of alcohol. Very easy to drink three last night. Would be a great winter welcome in six months. Even in July, it wasn't a bad choice.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2005 01:04:02 | More by Backer2004

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer has been sitting in my refrigerator for almost 2 months. I've been reticent to open it, since I noticed the expiration date was a year and a half ago. It would be unfair to review a beer in such a condition. However, my curiosity finally got the best of me, and my fears proved unfounded. This beer poured out a clear orange, with plenty of suspended floaties. The aroma is spicy, mainly ginger, but also some cinnamon. Sweet honey and malt flavor, along with the aforementioned spices. Thankfully, this beer avoids the trap of the cloying spiciness of too many winter warmers. More drinkable than most beers of the style. I am suprised to read that the abv is 7.5%. I would have guessed about 5.5%. Perhaps the high alcohol helped preserve this beer so long past the expiration date, which is a good thing, for now I feel justifed writing this review.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2005 18:16:52 | More by beveragecaptain

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a light ruby color ale with a medium light brown foamy head with a quite excellent retention. Aroma of light spices, honey with some bitter hops. Taste is lighter then expected with the honey being immediately recognizable. Bitter taste at the end is also quite enjoyable. I would have hope for a bit more malt and more character for a ‘’Christmas’’ special type beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2005 18:39:21 | More by Phyl21ca

Star80

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle has a date of Dec. 30, 2004. I'm not sure if that was when it was brewed or if it is best before that date. Seems a little early if that is the case. I wouldn't really bother cellaring this beer, but then who knows? Anyway, pours a reddish copper color with a nice beige head, which quickly dissipated. Has a pretty strong ginger and cinnamon smell and quite a spicy taste followed by honey, and a little bitter snap aftertaste. The mouthfeel is decent. Hmm, now the hard part. I'm not big into spiced beers though I am slowly acquiring a taste for things like coriander or even ginger in my beer. Pretty strong so I can't see drinking lots of these. I just wish it had a slightly bigger hop and malt presence to balance the honey and spices.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2005 19:52:29 | More by Star80

far333

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Orangey copper color with an oatmeal colored head that rises up to an inch high and then falls to a fine cap. Aroma is rich and inviting, of biscuity malt, sweet fruit and some cinnamon spice. Full and creamy mouthfeel, almost chewy. Pungent, spciy flavor of sweet malt and spice, cinnamon and a bit of clove and nutmeg, and a bit of spruce riding beneath. Hop presence is understated, nearly all in the finish and aftertaste. ABV is deceptively smooth.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2005 23:11:24 | More by far333

assurbanipaul

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep honey-amber color with a tall frothy tan head. Aroma is spicy with sweet malts, cloves, faint yeast and fresh gingerbread.

Taste is frosted gingerbread cookies and malt. Nicely seasoned, not too sweet, good flavors of allspice, cinnamon and honey. A gentile, mildly bitter hoppiness arrives as it warms, towards the end of the glass. Might be a good candidate to try warmed a bit.

Mouthfeel is medium, smooth but not real heavy. No trace of alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, very soft on the palate, very drinkable. An excellent pale winter ale, one I would drink seasonally if I could. Thanks to AKSmokedPorter for this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2005 03:04:11 | More by assurbanipaul

meathookjones

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out a slightly cloudy orange with reddish hues and a quickly developing off white tall head. Scattered lace was left around the glass as this was drank. Aroma was very nice with cherries, other fruits, plenty of spice and warmth. There was a definite sweetness and also a nice resemblance to spiced cider. Taste was a bit of sweet honey of fruits. Plenty of spice here but it comes off a bit too sweet overall. Medium sticky mouthfeel that brings a bit of warmth with it. Good drinkability as well. I could have a few of these in a row. Nice winter sipper. Thanks goes to clvand0 for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2005 18:07:53 | More by meathookjones

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Russet amber sunset hues with sticking to the sides bubbles, topped off with an uneven sudsy 1/8” tan head cap that is well retained.

Caramel apple, Big Red gum cinnamon hard candy (the kind ya get for Valentine’s Day) and fruit cake notes. Wafts of aroma are overwhelming. Bubblegum hops are thick in the nose.

First Swigs: Peculiar blend of rock candy malts and non-descript hops. Fruity blends of cherry front and vanilla notes. Citrous chin rubbing flavors. Some dry hard candy, almost jolly rancher malts. Finally, as this warms a hair, the cinnamon flavors peek out.

Some sticky tongue coat with decent crisp carbonation sizzle.

Last Swigs: Cinnamon biscuit malts. Spicy ale…not much else.

Beer is good. Happy beering.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2005 11:28:21 | More by blitheringidiot

plaztikjezuz

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

pours a rich copper, light carbonation, maybe due to temp at pour?

(cold)
hops are not very present, spices mainly cinnamon and malt come out very well. the taste is very malty with a slight spice, not much bitterness.

(warm)
spices come out more cinnamon and ginger, malt more aperent, alcohol. cinnamon and ginger very prevelent in the flavor bitterness is not aperent, minerally.

i did not taste the honey or smell it but its on the label.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2005 07:51:25 | More by plaztikjezuz

oracle

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle in a traditional english pint glass.

Pours a nice dark red color with a nice lacing of white head.

Armoma is mostly mild hops and some spice, noticably cinimon.

Beer drinks quite easily, with a noticable but not overwhelming hop bite and smoot malt finish. Lives up to the style by warming the insides beautifully.

Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2005 15:06:55 | More by oracle

Ahhdball

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My brother in law Jason brought this down from Cleveland the other day and I was very happy he did. Deep orange-amber with a pleasent crown after pouring it into my new snifter (Christmas present). Smelled all spice, tangy fruit, and a floral hop aroma with added cinnamon and nutmeg. Cinnamon and malt to start, clove, caramel in the finish. Malty with a spicey bite near the end but they melted fantastically. One of my favorites from GLBC but hell, most of their selections are.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2005 10:39:52 | More by Ahhdball

JackStraw22

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Yum. This is a beer to drink with some Christmas cookies and presents. The beer pours a crystal clear, amber orange with a beautiful foamy white head. The overriding taste here is gingerbread. This tastes more like a beer flavored gingerbread cookie than the other way around. But it's oh so good, not too sweet, just a little hop kick to balance it out. I'll be sorry when the holidays are over and I can't get these any more, better stock up. Only downside is the aroma, just not much there. But the taste more than makes up for it.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2004 04:54:37 | More by JackStraw22

Bones54

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Coming from the Cleveland area, the Great Lakes Brewery, and especially the Christmas ale are as much of Cleveland lure as Chief Wahoo and the Dawg Pound.
Appearance: Served from a 12 oz. bottle, into a pint glass. The beer is dark copper color, and comes with a thin but lasting head.
Smell: The strong smell of cinnamon greets the nose like the smell christmas cookies pouring out of the kitchen on Christmas morn.
Taste: the smell only contributes to the exceptional taste. I remember first tasting a Christmas Ale a few years back and literally jumping out of my seat. Maybe it's because it was truly one of the first micrbrews I came to taste and was not ready for the sensational trip my taste buds would go through. Cinnamon is the most dominating taste, with the ginger finding its way through. However, I have a hard time noticing the honey in the ale.
Mouthfeel: Literally warms the mouth. The aftertaste, however can leave a lingering feel in the mouth that is often hard to get rid of.
Drinkability: Now do not mistake my score. The beer is Very drinkable. However the alcohol content and potent flavors make it difficult to drink more than two or three.
Haven't had a chance to have my fair share of Christmas brews yet, but I have to believe that this one will be hard to top.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2004 01:18:14 | More by Bones54

masterbruewer

Ohio

3.55/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a medium copper color with light carbonation. Half-inch thick offwhite head. Solid lacing.

The first smells were of malt followed by hints of spice.

The tastes were faint. Faint malt flavor, faint hops flavor and faint spice flavor. It's not bad, but it's not great either. As it warms the spice flavors come out. In all its a very balance presentation of hops, malt and spice.

Mouthfeel is smooth with a slight carbonation bite.

Very smooth and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2004 23:11:27 | More by masterbruewer