Beer, Wine & Spirits, Features| Published on January 2, 2010 6:30 pm

Best Drink of 2009: Great Lakes Christmas Ale

By: Walker

We’re not quite sure if this is a result of conducting our reader survey at the end of the year, or if people really anticipate this seasonal beer all year long, but either way, Great Lakes Christmas Ale took home the number one spot as Best Drink of 2009. Made by The Great Lakes Brewing Company located in Cleveland, this award-winning Ohio beer is only available in November and December. Many local bars feature keg tapping parties to celebrate the arrival of their first (and sometimes only) batch of the season.

Top 10 Drinks of 2009:

Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Guinness Draught
Columbus Brewing Company Pale Ale
Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
Manhattan
Stella Artois
Gin & Tonic
Magic Hat #9
Miller Lite
“Anything at Nida’s”

Tags: beer, best of 2009, brewing, christmas, drinks, Great Lakes Brewing Company, holidays, liquor, microbreweries

Author: Walker Walker is the founder of ColumbusUnderground.com and co-founder of TheMetropreneur.com along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media from a hobby into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.

17 Comments

cbusguy January 2, 2010 6:50 pm

I agree that GL Christmas ale is the best. I got 2 cases this year and am down to my last 6 pack : ( From what I understand the ABV% has been lowered from past productions, but it is still a kick ass beer. Most bars can’t get any more in.
DavidF January 2, 2010 7:39 pm

I knew I should have picked up a bunch of cases while I was in Akron. It was available all over the place there. D’oh!
JonMyers January 2, 2010 8:00 pm

Crack. I usually don’t even like sweet beers, but this stuff it tasty.
foxforcefive January 2, 2010 8:03 pm

This is good stuff. I also look forward to Samuel Adams Oktoberfest every year as well…
ScooterMKE January 2, 2010 9:10 pm

The GL Christmas Ale is good but it does not compare to Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout. While the Leinenkugel Oktoberfest comes close, the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is in a class all by itself. Excellent beer!
takeasiesta January 2, 2010 9:52 pm

I wish there was somehow to get Yuengling in this city. It fascinates me that it stops at the PA Border. I got spoiled in DC when I was there. Bar/restaurant owners: work on this! You will be rewarded!
lifeontwowheels January 2, 2010 9:57 pm

3 of my favorites in the top 10. I’m not so weird after all.
osulew January 2, 2010 10:05 pm

You can find Yuengling at 2 bars in this city…just gotta ask for it. :)
mrsgeedeck January 3, 2010 1:00 am

You can find Yuengling at 2 bars in this city…just gotta ask for it. :)

Do tell…
BCNation January 3, 2010 1:16 am

I have to wait 10 months to have another Great Lakes Christmas Ale :o/
takeasiesta January 3, 2010 5:55 am

@osulew Really where??? You would make my life. I heard a rumor that it was at Garage Bar.
osulew January 3, 2010 9:47 am

Check your PMs :)
Bear January 3, 2010 4:47 pm

And by the way — props to CU’s own shmack for cracking the top-10 list! ”Anything at Nida’s” is a deserving entry in my book.
osulew January 3, 2010 5:24 pm

Yay! That was me!!!!!
Well at least one Nida’s menu vote was mine.
V is an evil genius.
Walker January 3, 2010 6:04 pm

I was surprised at how many people voted for “anything at Nida’s”. Quite a few to crack the top 10. ;)
shmack January 4, 2010 9:46 am

WOW!! Thanks guys! I thought it was a one vote wonder but to measure up against classics like the Manhattan and the faithful G&T? WOW! I’m so honored you like these little concoctions! CU readers are the best!
thefightinglibrarian January 4, 2010 2:37 pm

But you’re OUR one vote wonder :) Congrats shmacky!! Now for a jade city…