Seasonal brews, meet seasonal bakes! This is your sign to bake with GLBC beer. Our Boozy Bundt series features four cake recipes that blend bakery classics with craft beer flavor. Explore these desserts that are bold and perfect for hosting, birthdays, or treating yourself (because you deserve it).

Christmas Ale Chocolate Bundt Cake

This Christmas Ale Chocolate Bundt Cake is an easy treat that celebrates the flavors of the season, featuring everyone’s favorite festive brew: Christmas Ale. Bring this heartwarming dessert to your next gathering, and it’s guaranteed to make spirits bright.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 12 oz. coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup room temp Christmas Ale

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, coconut milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Hold onto the Christmas Ale for later
5. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Stir in the Christmas Ale until the batter is smooth and slightly runny.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for approximately 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once your cake is fully cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for a festive touch.

Cookie Exchange Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake

INGREDIENTS

Cake:

• 1 c Cookie Exchange Milk Stout
• 1 c Butter
• ¾ c Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 c Sugar
• 2 c All purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Eggs
• ½ c Sour cream, room temperature

Ganache:

• 1/2 c Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 c Peanut Butter Chips
• ½ cup milk or canned coconut milk
• 1 small chocolate bar

CAKE METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a bundt cake pan with nonstick spray; set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, place Cookie Exchange Peanut Butter Milk Stout, butter, and cocoa. Over low heat stir occasionally until butter melts. Remove from heat, and whisk until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes.
4. Put flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl, whisk to combine.
5. In a small bowl combine vanilla extract, eggs, sour cream and set aside.
6. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add the sour cream and egg mixture to the bundt cake batter. Mix well.
7. Pour the cake batter into the bundt pan and bake for 40-50 minutes depending on the size of your pan. Bake until a long toothpick comes out clean. If your pan has a dark interior the baking time will be even less.
8. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Then turn the cake over and on the cooling rack and remove from the bundt cake pan.
9. Completely cool cake before icing. Finish by topping with chocolate bar shavings.
10. Store cake at room temperature in an airtight container or well-wrapped for 2-3 days.

GANACHE METHOD:

Microwave: add chocolate and peanut butter chips and milk to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, for a total of 60 seconds.

Pour over bundt cake and allow to cool. Sprinkle with more chips or powered sugar for fun decor.

Cran Orange Wheat Bundt Cake

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 and 3/4 C all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 C unsalted butter, softened
• 2 C granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 C Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cran Orange Wheat
• 1-2 tbsp orange zest
• 1/4 C vegetable oil
• 1 C sour cream
• 2 C fresh cranberries
• Powdered sugar and orange zest for topping (optional)

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, utilizing a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Slowly mix in the Cran Orange Wheat beer, orange zest, and vegetable oil until well combined.
5. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the sour cream and then mix in the dry ingredients. Mix everything until just combined, making sure not to overmix the batter.
6. Add the cranberries and gently fold them into the batter.
7. Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan with butter, then dust with flour.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and evenly spread it around.
9. Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil if needed for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning. Do not pull the bundt cake out while still baking to avoid deflation of the cake.
10. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Flip the cake onto a serving dish to finish cooling. Once cool, add desired topping and serve alongside a Cran Orange Wheat.

Strawberry Pineapple Wheat Bundt Cake

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

• 15 1/4 oz. box yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 C vegetable oil
• 1/4 C crushed pineapples canned or fresh
• 1/4 C water
• 8 oz. Strawberry Pineapple Wheat
• 1/4 C pineapple chunks, drained well
• 1 strawberry gelatin dessert packet
• Fresh strawberries, to garnish

Glaze:

• 2 Tbsp Strawberry Pineapple Wheat
• Powdered sugar

METHOD:

1. Set oven to 350 degrees. With mixer, combine on medium for 2 minutes: cake mix, eggs, oil, crushed pineapples with juice, water and beer. Divide the batter into two even bowls. In one bowl, add strawberry gelatin dessert mix slowly until achieving desired pink/red color (the more you add, the more the flavor of the cake can be impacted). In the second bowl, add in the pineapple chunks and mix slowly.
2. Coat bundt pan with nonstick spray. Pour half the yellow batter into the pan, then half the pink batter. Swirl with a spatula. Add in the remaining yellow batter and then the remaining pink. Slightly swirl. Place in oven and bake 35-45 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes, then place onto drying rack or plate.
3. If desired, add powdered sugar or create and drizzle a light glaze. To create glaze, add powered sugar to beer, stirring constantly until desired thickness is achieved. If a thick glaze is desired, use more powered sugar. Let cake cool before adding any frosting or glaze.
4. Serve with fresh or canned pineapple and slices of strawberries. Enjoy!

Now checking in for the 2025-26 Cleveland Cavaliers season: Easy Buckets Pale Ale! The official collab brew by Great Lakes Brewing Co. and the Cleveland Cavaliers is now available in cans with a new look, and a new liquid! Named by the fans, Easy Buckets mixes up the rotation with a new Pale Ale recipe featuring refreshing Citra hops at drinkable 5.0% ABV perfect for gameday.

Easy Buckets Pale Ale debuted in 19.2 oz. Cans and Draft exclusively at Rocket Arena, the GLBC brewpub, and select Great Lakes Cavs Bar Network locations this October to kick off the 2025-26 season. Now, find Easy Buckets Pale Ale 6-Packs, 12-Packs, and Draft at your favorite retailer within the Cavs broadcast footprint. Or, visit a Great Lakes Cavs Bar Network location (including our brewpub) to find Easy Buckets, and check in here for a chance to win prizes including Cavs tickets and autographed items!

RELEASE DETAILS
GLBC Gift Shop: Beginning Friday, November 21
GLBC Brewpub: On tap now!
Rocket Arena: On tap and in cans now!
Cavs Broadcast Footprint: Beginning Monday, November 24
Packages: 19.2 oz. Cans, 6-Pack 12 oz. Cans, 12-Pack 12 oz. Cans, Draft

ABOUT THE BEER
Flavor: A gameday pick that doesn’t miss, with clutch citrusy hops and a clean finish.
ABV: 5.0%
Hops: Citra
Malts: 2-Row Base, White Wheat
Pairs with: Chicken wings, nachos, and salty popcorn

The holidays are here, and we’d love to celebrate the season together here at Great Lakes! Come grabbing a pint with friends, pick up beer for hosting out-of-towners, or unwind in our cozy Secret Cellar Christmas Bar. Our team is ready to welcome you! Below are our adjusted hours so you can plan your visits with ease. Looking to make a reservation? You can do so here.

GIFT SHOP HOURS 🎁🛍️

THANKSGIVING WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 9:00PM

Wednesday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM

Thursday (Thanksgiving): CLOSED

Friday (Black Friday) – Saturday: 11:00AM – 10:00PM

Sunday: 11:00AM – 5:00PM

DECEMBER 2025

Mondays – Thursdays: 11:30AM – 9:00PM

Fridays – Saturdays: 11:30AM – 10:00PM

Sundays: 11:00AM – 5:00PM

CHRISTMAS WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM

Wednesday (Christmas Eve): 11:30AM – 6:00PM

Thursday (Christmas): CLOSED

Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM

Sunday: 11:00AM – 5:00PM

NEW YEAR’S WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 9:00PM

Wednesday (New Year’s Eve): 10:00AM –  6:00PM

Thursday (New Year’s Day): CLOSED

Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM

Sunday: 11:00AM – 5:00PM

BREWPUB HOURS 🍽️🍺

THANKSGIVING WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 9:00PM (Bar 10:00PM)

Wednesday: 11:00AM – 10:00PM (Bar 11:00PM)

Thursday (Thanksgiving): CLOSED

Friday – Saturday: 11:00AM – 11:00PM (Bar 12:00AM)

Sunday: 11:00AM – 4:00PM (Bar 5:00PM)

DECEMBER 2025

Mondays – Thursdays: 11:30AM – 9:00PM (Bar 10:00PM)

Fridays – Saturdays: 11:30AM – 11:00PM (Bar 12:00AM)

Sundays: 11:00AM – 4:00PM (Bar 5:00PM)

CHRISTMAS WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM (Bar 11:00PM)

Wednesday (Christmas Eve): 11:30AM – 5:00PM (Bar 6:00PM)

Thursday (Christmas Day): CLOSED

Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 11:00PM (Bar 12:00AM)

Sunday: 11:00AM – 4:00PM (Bar 5:00PM)

NEW YEAR’S WEEK

Monday – Tuesday: 11:30AM – 9:00PM (Bar 10:00PM)

Wednesday (New Year’s Eve): 10:00AM – 5:00PM (Bar 6:00PM)

Thursday (New Year’s Day): CLOSED

Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 11:00PM (Bar 12:00AM)

Sunday: 11:00AM – 4:00PM (Bar 5:00PM)

Subject to change. Reservations recommended for dining. No reservations accepted in the Secret Cellar Christmas Bar.

Nothing inspires a spirited holiday shopping spree like a few spiced, warming sips of Christmas Ale. Crack one open and follow me, the friendly ghost of Christmas giving, through a delightfully festive gift guide for the beer-loving folks on your list. You’ll find most items in our online store, but make sure you pay our onsite gift shop a visit for even more locally made and brewpub-exclusive items.

For the Holiday Host
So you RSVPd to the ugly sweater party, and you don’t want to show up empty-handed. We’ve got you covered with something way better than itchy wool and sequins. Wow your host with a gift basket packed with boutique and beer-friendly items. Our bamboo cutting board says there’s no place like [your] home for the holidays, and a couple Ohio-shaped wood coasters will keep their counters ring-free all evening long. To say thank you at the end of the night? A heartfelt toast with a pair of wintry pint glasses. Because you can’t have holiday cheer without a holiday cheers.

For the Christmas Ale Superfan

Are they first in line at First Pour? Do they wax poetic about seasonal spices and traveling through wintry weather to get their hands on their beloved holiday ale? Well then it’s time you help them look the part. Our special collaboration tee and hoodie from Homage are soft and cozy as the season’s first pint. Pair a Christmas Ale long sleeve tee with plaid pajama pants and a scarf for a photo-ready Christmas morning fit. And every Christmas Ale fan needs a special holiday vessel, like our nostalgic can-shaped glass. Serve that up with a 4-Pack of Barrel Aged Christmas Ale to make spirits even brighter.

For Pops

Your TSO ticket plug fell through and pop’s favorite football team is on a bye. Time to pivot with some dad-approved swag. Treat the old man to 18 holes and a green-ready GLBC kit with a golf towel, Nike polo, golf balls, and a GV Art + Design 73 Kolsch beverage sleeve to keep his brewski cold at the turn. If your dad’s more into the pit than the fairway, hook him up with some GLBC BBQ sauces and a fancy paddle opener he can wave at you when you try to tell him it’s time to flip. And don’t forget a classic dad hat to keep him cool and shaded on days when it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.

For Mom

Show some love for the gal who raised you with a hand-crafted and extra cozy collection. Our beer-infused soap by Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve pairs perfectly with her favorite 6-Pack for a relaxing spa day at home (she’s earned it), and she’ll be warm, cute, and comfy in an embroidered GLBC crewneck and a knit hat (we have so many to choose from!) Gift her some Cleveland Jam or better yet wake up early and add it to a Christmas morning breakfast spread to say thanks for checking off your wildly demanding wish lists for so many years. It’s the least you can do.

For Pet Parents

It’s a fact: all furry friends are on the nice list. Spoil your pup with a fresh leash and collar, and a bag of locally-made Brewhaus Dog Bones brewer’s grain biscuits. Up the cute factor by adding a silicone dog bowl for them, and a matching pawprint pint glass for yourself. For your active pooch or kitty, we recommend fueling their zoomies with our PrideBites cat and dog toys, designed to look just like their favorite person’s favorite brew. You’ll be greeted with Christmas morning tail wags and purrs in no time.

For First Team All-CLE

Make Christmas morning a wine and gold winner for your roster and help them rep their hometown hoops and hops. Our Cavs-inspired longsleeve is the perfect way to crossover from pregame pints to in-game action. And as the official craft beer of the Cleveland Cavaliers, you know we had to rep with a special brew, so complement their new gameday fit with a 6-Pack of Easy Buckets Pale Ale!

For the “woof woof” set in your squad, grab our GV Art + Design Joe Thomas tee, or keep it neutral with our Browns-inspired tee. And why not gift them a new lucky glass to help turn the season around? Our football-patterned pints are always half-full, win or lose—and especially lucky when filled with Cleveland’s Light Beer. Just saying.

For Your Mysterious Secret Santa Co-Worker

For your white elephant, yankee swap, secret santa, $10 limit friendsgiving exchange, or for someone who’s just plain hard to buy for, GLBC gift cards are always a hit. And if you want to give them something fun and small to open with that magical little card, we have a delightful mix of stocking stuffers like our Christmas Ale lip balm, beverage sleeves, bottle openers, and even mystery grab bags (gift shop exclusive)! It’s the little things.

Whether you’re shopping online or at our onsite gift shop, we’re sure you’ll find something for everyone on your list.

Words by Marissa DeSantis
Photos by Great Lakes Marketing Team