CLEVELAND, Ohio – Great Lakes Brewing Co. ’s annual First Pour party is set for Thursday, Oct. 16.

The party is a festive launch for the brewery’s cult classic Christmas Ale.

The ale is out for 10 weeks but is a top seller for the Cleveland brewery. It draws lines out the door, around the block and near the tasting room. Fans often dress in their best, craziest and colorful red and green outfits.

Christmas Ale – a spicy mix of ginger, cinnamon and honey – also will be released in bottles and cans - including new 19.2-ounce cans, beginning Monday, Oct. 20. Customers at the brewery can pick up Christmas Ale at the gift shop beginning Friday, Oct. 17.

For First Pour, doors open at the brewpub in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood at 11 a.m. with the ceremonial keg tapping at 11:30. Musi

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