CLEVELAND — With less than 100 days until Christmas, some of Clevelanders' favorite holiday traditions are coming early, with one of those being the highly anticipated yearly tapping of Great Lakes Brewery's Christmas Ale.
A beer that started at the brewery in 1992 has become a celebrated Christmas delight steeped in nostalgia and tradition.
The brewery elves are hard at work at Great Lakes for the annual first pour celebration on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The 2019 First Pour Party is free and open to the public with the brewpub opening promptly at 11 a.m. and Brewer Santa will personally deliver and tap the first keg of Christmas Ale at 11:30 a.m.
2019 First Pour Highlights
Brewpub
The Cleveland Carolers (10:30a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Christmas Ale keg delivery and visit from Brewer Santa (11 a.m.)
The First Pour of Christmas Ale (11:30 a.m.)
Christmas Ale themed food specials (all day)
Note: The brewery is unable to accommodate any table reservations on First Pour day.
Beer Garden
Fresh beer-infused donuts from Brewnuts (11 a.m. until sold out)
DJ Misfit Toy spinning classic and eclectic holiday vinyl (4 - 9p.m.)
Photos with Santa (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Christmas Ale yule logs available for purchase (sales benefiting the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center, while supplies last)
How to get your hands on Christmas Ale
There will be no growler or crowler fills on the first pour day.
On Oct. 25., the first bottles and kegs of Christmas Ale will be available exclusively at Great Lakes Brewery gift shops. There will be no reserving of beer allowed.
On Oct. 28., bottles and kegs of Christmas Ale will begin appearing in all GLBC distribution markets.
Official first pour dates
Can't party and enjoy the first pour at the Great Lakes headquarters? Great Lakes is throwing official Christmas Ale First Pour parties in cities all over the region. Find more information here.
Christmas Ale first pour experience
Want to pour the first pint of Christmas Ale? Through a contest, show the brewery your favorite Christmas Ale photo and tell them why you love Christmas Ale with the #MerryChristmasAle on Instagram and Twitter for a chance to win the VIP experience. More details here.
