Christmas Ale First Pour is a quintessential Cleveland event. Every October going back to the 90s, our cozy Ohio City brewpub sees a line around the block, teeming with a spirited group of early holiday revelers. When doors open, toasts are given, and taps finally start flowing, every corner of our building shimmers with Christmas Ale spirit. It’s a big day.

There’s nothing quite like that first taste of our iconic honey, cinnamon, and ginger infused brew. Though, as a GLBC insider who’s witnessed over a dozen of these (and even DJd a handful!), it’s understandably intimidating to a first timer—or a long timer! So, to make the most of your first or fifteenth First Pour, here’s my list of pro tips.

Arrive Early
Doors open at 11, but there will be a line! Regulars even pack camping chairs. We don’t take reservations for First Pour, so if you’re counting on a table for lunch, it’s best to grab your morning breakfast and coffee (I recommend the cozy West Side Market Café just around the corner) and claim your spot in line.

Early arrival is also the best way to get dibs on a special Christmas Ale frycake from our pals at Brewnuts. They start slinging when doors open, and when they’re out, they’re out!

No PTO? Don’t sweat it. The day’s natural ebbs and flows make it easy to pop in during the afternoon or evening, and there will be plenty of Christmas Ale to go around. In fact, we pour a pint about every eight seconds on First Pour Day! We also have a 3-hour table limit to accommodate more guests.

Park Your Sleigh & Be Safe!
We know parking in the city can be tricky, so we prepared you a parking guide. And we all know how easy it is to get a little too jolly after a few Christmas Ales, so please look out for your crew and have a safe travel plan. We have some delicious N/A drinks on our menu, and water coolers on our patio to help you stay hydrated and refreshed.

While we’re on the topic of taking care, I’ve gotta shout out our brewpub staff. This is the big dance for them, and they’re hustling to make your experience the best it can be. Remember to be kind and show your appreciation!

Sip & Shop
We don’t sell packaged Christmas Ale in our gift shop on First Pour day (unless you preordered your keg), but it is the first chance to shop our new limited Holiday Collection and our Homage collaboration! Best of all, you can sip while you shop! Get a head start on stocking stuffing or add extra flair to your fit. If you like receiving as much as giving, you can enter for a chance to win a giant Christmas Ale merch pack when our Merry Christmas Ale sweepstakes launches on October 16!

Christmas Ale? Yes, And…
Do we pour a lot of Christmas Ale on First Pour day? YES. But we also have Cookie Exchange Milk Stout (with new Berry Jam Thumbprint flavor), Barrel Aged Christmas Ale, Cold Rush Premium Light Lager, Midwest IPA, and a slew of other seasonal and pub exclusive treats and specialty cocktails. So even if you’re not a Christmas Ale fan (who raised you?), we’ve got you covered. There’s room for everyone on the nice list when it comes to GLBC beer, so why not try something new alongside your favorite holiday brew? It’s freshest right from the source!

Explore Our Space
Our historic brewpub is full of interesting nooks. My personal favorite is our basement beer cellar, which transforms into the Secret Cellar Christmas Bar later in the season. If our taproom is packed, give the cellar a shot. Or slide into our open-air beer garden to enjoy Christmas tunes. Moonlighting as DJ Misfit Toy, I’ve spun holiday vinyl at many First Pours, and I can tell you the folks on the dancefloor are always having more fun than anybody else. Let the Christmas Ale spirit move you and cut a rug.

Spread the Joy
First Pour FOMO? Fear not! We host Christmas Ale First Pour events in many of our markets, so find a Christmas Ale event near you. Keep your eyes on our website and social media channels for fun holiday events throughout the season.

Finally, we’re all about Brewing Good, and you can help us do that by bringing an unwrapped toy to First Pour, and to our brewpub through October 19. In partnership with Scott’s Haul, our toy drive will benefit Providence House to make the season a little brighter for folks in need.

Show us how you celebrate the season by tagging us and using #ChristmasAle and #MerryChristmasAle. It really warms our hearts to see how you include our beers in your traditions and celebrations.

Got more questions about First Pour? Leave us a message or a comment on Facebook or @glbc_cleveland on Instagram or X.

Words by Marissa DeSantis AKA DJ Misfit Toy
Photos by Marissa DeSantis, Scott Esterly, Wil Lindsey, and Lily Switka