Beer: Christmas Ale Survival Guide
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Thought the clamor for Yuengling was crazy? Just wait until Great Lakes Brewing Company unleashes its Christmas Ale.
The sought-after suds will start appearing in markets outside of Cleveland on Monday, Oct. 31, marketing assistant Lauren Boveington said. This year, the brewery will be cooking up 296 batches of the holiday ale brewed with honey, ginger and cinnamon.
For those who can’t wait until Halloween, Great Lakes will tap the first keg at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at its home brewpub at 2516 Market Ave. in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.
“I get phone calls in August asking when the Christmas Ale is going to come out,” said James Delewese, resident beer expert at Kenny Road Market. “There is no other seasonal release that gets as much fervor. So many people know about it, and so many people want it.”
Here are three tips for getting a sip.
1. Check for updates. Great Lakes has created several pages to help local drinkers find its seasonal. Follow @GLBCinColumbus on Twitter and check for updates at greatlakesbrewing.com/beer-finder.
Source: Columbus Alive
Beer: Get your pumpkin on at the Church Brew Works
31.12.69
Lawrenceville's Church Brew Works officially taps its pumpkin tonight -- literally.
Its Pumpkin Stout will be flowing through a vintage wooden tap stuck in a massive 60-pound pumpkin staffers lugged back from Cheeseman Farm in Portersville, Butler County. The brew was made with more real pumpkin that was grilled to caramelize some of its starches to sugars, as well as a secret mix of spices.
Many pumpkin beers are not made with fresh pumpkin, points out brewer Matt Moninger (he's replacing head brewer Brant Dubovik, who, with his wife, Denise, are moving to Chicago where Mr. Dubovik is going to brew for a start-up). And most pumpkin beers aren't as dark as this, Mr. Moninger adds. "The roasted character of the dark malt meshes seamlessly with the caramelized pumpkin and just enough sweetness to accentuate the spices and lend a lightly creamy mouthfeel."
The party starts at 5:30 p.m.
If you missed it last week, check out videographer Jenna Buehler's video
Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette