Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Brewer: Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland.
Alcohol: 7.5 percent.
International Bitterness Units: 30.
Price: $12 for a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles.
History: Brewer started making this ale in 1992.
Did you know?: Christmas Ale accounts for 20 percent of the brewer’s sales, yet it is available only about eight weeks a year.
Serving temperature: 55 degrees.
Info: www.greatlakesbrewing.com.
12 Dogs of Christmas
Brewer: Akron’s Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.3 percent.
International Bitterness Units: 21.5.
Price: $11 for a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles.
History: Brewer started making this ale in 2007.
Did you know?: The first year, five batches were made, owner John Najeway said. This year, 400 were produced. (A batch is about 18 barrels.)
Serving temperature: 43-49 degrees.
Info: http://thirstydog.com.
