CLEVELAND, Ohio - Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s annual first-pour party was held Thursday, with the annual tapping of Christmas Ale drawing a line out the door at the Ohio City brewpub. The unofficial start to the holiday season in Cleveland moves us to poetry once again:
Sit back and enjoy our tale to tell
about a seasonal ale we know so well.
The famous brew is called Christmas Ale
A spicy beer so many hail.
They came from near and far, they knew what for
'twas the brewery's annual First Pour.
They lined Market Avenue, braving a chill in Ohio City
If you missed out on the fun - well, it's a pity.
It's 7.5 percent alcohol and released every fall
People come running when they hear the call.
It's OK to indulge, it's not a sin
Halloween isn't here, but let Christmas begin!
It's been around since 1992
Gaining in pride, and popularity too.
The recipe stays the same year after year
But still some don't believe that it's the same beer.
Brewed for a quarter century and out for eight weeks
It's supply and demand, it's what people seek.
Santa came in hoisting a keg
People clamored and cried - man did they beg!
There was toasting and wassailing all around
And cinnamon sticks in yule logs were wrapped and bound.
It's become a media frenzy with cameras galore
Tons of folks show up, like Great Lakes CEO Bill Boor.
And from nearby came a treat our way
Brewnuts were sold, on this special day.
To Kevin and Megan Kropf went the honors of the first sip
They hoisted their pints, which they then tipped.
Christmas Ale First Pour Party was Oct. 26.
They won a photo contest tagged #MerryChristmasAle
Entries keep rolling in, it never fails.
Kevin toasted his late father John,
He was a fan of the beer, his memory lives on.
The ale is made with just the right amount of spice
5,600 pounds of ginger, tasty and nice.
Don't forget 5,600 pounds of cinnamon
Not for kids - just men and women.
Mixed into the ale are 168,000 barrels of honey
To be savored and sipped, from mouth to your tummy.
Mt. Hood and Cascade hops give the ale its joy
Think Ralphie would have preferred this instead of Lifebuoy?
Over the years, it has won honors at various fests
A Major Award, to be sure, judged as the best.
The first-pour party is the busiest day of the year
More than 400 pints per hour - that's a lot of beer!
It was a politics-free day, just what we need
No Mayor Jackson, no Zack Reed.
Great Lakes started brewing Christmas Ale in 1992.
Just mouth-watering beer drinkers looking for a seat
It's a Cleveland party, and Trump didn't Tweet.
But we offer a plea to the next mayor, what do you say?
Declare the first-pour party a citywide holiday.
And know this, all you fans it might amaze
Could a barrel-aged version be here in coming days?
The seasonal party remains special to our town
Added Bonus: It helps us to forget about the Browns.
It's a worthy addition to a holiday list and second to none
And as seasonal as a Daisy Red Rider Range Model BB gun.
It's draft-only to start but don't worry
On October 30th, bottles will be sold (they go in a hurry).
People wore festive coats, sweaters, even antlers (but no tux)
In the stores a six-pack will cost you a mere 12 bucks.
The red ornaments on the label will beckon
It's something to look forward to, we all reckon.
It's a wonderful sight, that famous green rail car
But today it was draft only in the Ohio City bar.
So we end our poetic toast with good cheer
Happy Christmas Ale Day to all, and to all a good beer!