Ah, wintertime! A season filled with cozy nights, twinkling lights, and, of course, delicious brews to enjoy by fire. A festive beverage can always get you into the holiday spirit. One of my all-time favorites that warms my heart and my belly during the cold season is the Great Lakes Christmas Ale.
Recently, I cloned this tasty, merry, and comforting drink at home to celebrate the holidays. If you’re also a fellow homebrew enthusiast looking to replicate this festive beer, you’re in luck. I’m sharing my Great Lakes Christmas Ale recipe and detailed instructions right here in this blog. Let’s take a look!
What is Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co.?
For those who might not be familiar, Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a celebration in a bottle. Brewing in Cleveland, Ohio, this spiced brown, warm-flavored ale has been winning over beer enthusiasts since its introduction in 1992. The blend of spices and honey somehow captures the spirit of Christmas and leaves you anticipating the next sip. Trust me, give it a try, and you’ll understand why it’s a winter staple.
What Does Christmas Ale Taste Like?
About the taste, it’s like taking a bite of your favorite holiday dessert. Imagine sweet maltiness kissed with the warmth of spices like cinnamon and ginger, rounded out by a subtle honey sweetness. Thanks to the dark melts, there’s a warm, toasty vibe that sticks around.
When I crack open a bottle of this ale, the aroma hits me first - spicy, malty, and just festive enough to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s a smooth drinking experience with just enough spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming the palate. If you enjoy a beer that strike a perfect balance between sweet, spiced, and a touch bitter, the Christmas Ale is definitely a winner.
How to Clone Great Likes Christmas Ale at Home?
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty. One of the best parts about homebrewing is the chance to experiment and add your personal touch, but this clone will stay true to the heart of Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Here’s a simple recipe for a give-gallon that’ll bring that holiday cheer right into your kitchen. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Grain Bill:
- 8 lbs pale malt (2-row)
- 1 lb crystal malt (60L)
- 1 lb unmalted white wheat
- 0.5 lb Munich malt
- 0.5 lb chocolate malt
Hops:
- 1 oz Perle hops (bittering, about 60 minutes)
- 0.5 oz Saaz hops (flavor, about 15 minutes)
- 0.5 oz Cascade hops (about 5 minutes)
Spices:
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup honey (added at flame-out)
Yeast:
- 1 packet of American Ale Yeast (like Safele US-05)
Instructions
Step 1: Mashing. Mash your grains with a 1.2 quart to pound ratio of grist at 150 °F (66 °C) for at least 30 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 160 °F (71 °C) for 15 minutes, and finish by raising it to 170 °F (77 °C) for 2 minutes. This process helps the β and α enzymes in the grain convert sequentially, bringing out that delicious malt flavor.
Step 2: Sparging. After mashing, rinse the grains with 170 °F (77 °C) water to collect about 6.5 gallons (24.5 liters) of wort.
Step 3: Bring the wort to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, add Perle hops and let it boil for 60 minutes. Add the Saaz hops with 15 minutes left and the Cascade hops in the final 5 minutes. Don’t forget to toss in cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and honey at the end of the boil.
Step 4: Chill. Cool the wort down to 66 °F (19 °C) as quickly as possible. A food thermometer will come in handy here.
Step 5: Fermentation. Transfer the cooled wort to a sanitized fermenter and add yeast. Seal the fermenter and let it ferment at around 65-70 °F (18-21 °C) for about two weeks. For the next four days after fermentation, gradually lower the temperature by about 6 °F (3 °C) each day to help clarify the beer. You can use a thermostat to precisely control the fermentation temperature.
Step 6: Bottling. Once fermentation is complete, you can bottle the beer. Add about 3/4 cup of corn sugar to the bottling bucket for carbonation. After two weeks in the bottle, your Great Lakes Christmas Ale clone will be ready to enjoy. Pop one open, take a sip, and soak in the holiday vibes!
FAQs
Is Christmas Ale an IPA?
Nope, Christmas Ale isn’t an IPA. It is actually a spiced brown ale, focusing on a rich malt flavor that leans towards warmth and sweetness rather than the hoppy bitterness typical of IPAs. If you’re more on the hoppy side of things, no worries, check out my previous New England IPA recipe.
What is Great Lakes Christmas Ale alcohol percentage?
Great Lakes Christmas Ale has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of about 7.5%. This makes it a solid choice for winter festivities. It packs quite a bit of warmth while still being smooth enough for session drinking.
How many calories in a Great Lakes Christmas Ale?
A 12 oz serving of Great Lakes Christmas Ale contains around 220 calories. It’s not too bad, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind, especially when those holiday plates are full of cookies!
