There is no better reason to head to Cleveland than a July release of Great Lakes Christmas Ale. GLBC will release a limited amount of Christmas Ale at Burning River Festival this weekend, a community fest promoting clean and sustainable waterways. The event is hosted by the Burning River Foundation, a charitable non-profit closely tied with the eco-conscious brewery. Expect music, food, and green SWAG from area environmental groups.
Usually Ohioans wait all year for the release of the perennial ale that is coveted by beer geeks and casual drinkers alike. Luckily, bars around the state hold onto kegs from last year’s holiday season so they can celebrate Christmas in July the right way. If you don’t feel like making the 150 mile journey to the city where a river actually burst into flames, you can find some of 2010’s release right here in Columbus. Both locations of the Winking Lizard will tap kegs of Christmas Ale tonight, Friday, July 22nd, and DeepWood will serve the beer July 25-29 while offering a 3-course Christmas in July dinner special.
Christmas Ale has made such a name for itself that it has influenced other local breweries to begin making and marketing their own holiday-spiced brews. Ohio Breweries has the details on the other brews here and where you can find them for any summer-holiday festivities.
Burning River Festival:
July 23 from 6-11pm and July 24 from 1-6pm
$10 / person/day
Historic Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island
