Great Lakes Seasonal 6Pk

Great Lakes Seasonal 6Pk is a rotating six-pack of 12 oz bottles from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring the brewery's acclaimed seasonal releases throughout the year. The lineup includes multiple World Beer Championships medal winners, notably the Oktoberfest lager, which earned a 94-point rating from Beer Connoisseur.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by season (5.5%–6.5%+)  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: Rotating Seasonal  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company was founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway, establishing Ohio's first craft brewery in the historic Market Avenue neighborhood of Cleveland. The brewery employs solar panels on its roof to preheat brewing water and leverages outside air for cooling during colder months in place of conventional refrigeration. Seasonal releases undergo careful fermentation with tight temperature curves and healthy yeast management, with lagers receiving extended cold conditioning to produce clean, well-rounded profiles.

Seasonal Lineup Highlights

Because the Seasonal 6-Pack rotates throughout the year, the specific beer inside changes with the season. Two of the most recognized entries in the rotation are the Oktoberfest Märzen lager (6.5% ABV) and Christmas Ale, a honey-spiced holiday ale. Oktoberfest has earned four medals at the World Beer Championships, including Gold and Silver, while Christmas Ale has taken six medals at the same competition since 1999.

Tasting Notes (Key Seasonal Releases)

Oktoberfest — Aroma: Toasted bread crust and biscuit malt lead, followed by a gentle waft of noble hops and a faint honeyed sweetness.

Oktoberfest — Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-forward with rich, rustic autumn grain character. Mid-palate opens into lightly caramelized sweetness before a measured hop bitterness emerges on the back end to provide balance.

Oktoberfest — Finish: Clean and moderately dry with lingering toasted malt. The noble hop presence fades gracefully, leaving a crisp, festival-ready close.

Christmas Ale — Aroma: Fresh honey, cinnamon sticks, and ginger root are immediately present, supported by toasted malt and a hint of dried fruit.

Christmas Ale — Taste: A wave of holiday spice—cinnamon, ginger, and clove—arrives on the entry. Sweet honey broadens across the mid-palate while raisin and toasted malt keep the sweetness grounded.

Christmas Ale — Finish: Medium-long with warming spice and residual honey sweetness. Toasted grain and clove linger pleasantly as the spice slowly dissipates.

How to Drink Great Lakes Seasonal

Serve each seasonal release at the style-appropriate temperature: lagers like Oktoberfest benefit from a 45–50°F pour in a tulip or Pilsner glass, while richer ales like Christmas Ale shine slightly warmer at 50–55°F in a snifter or goblet. The Oktoberfest works well in a Beergarita—a Märzen-spiked margarita with lime—adding malty depth. Christmas Ale pairs naturally in a Hot Toddy riff with lemon and additional honey for a winter warmer cocktail. The Orange & Honey Wheat (5.5% ABV, appearing in warmer months) makes an excellent base for a Wheat Beer Shandy with fresh lemonade.

Best For

• Stocking a home beer fridge with a new seasonal discovery each quarter
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing six-pack to a holiday dinner or cookout
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates Midwest brewing tradition
• Exploring different beer styles throughout the year without committing to a full case

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Great Lakes Seasonal taste like? The flavor profile changes with each rotation, but the lineup is generally malt-forward with balanced bitterness and style-specific character—autumn toasted grain in the Oktoberfest, warm honey and holiday spice in the Christmas Ale, and bright citrus wheat in the summer releases.

How does Great Lakes Oktoberfest compare to Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest? Great Lakes Oktoberfest is a traditional Märzen-style lager with rich malt sweetness and noble hop balance, carrying a 94-point Beer Connoisseur rating; Sierra Nevada's version is a collaboration brew that can lean slightly hoppier given the brewery's West Coast heritage.

Is Great Lakes Seasonal good for craft beer beginners? Yes—the seasonal releases are approachable and style-faithful, making them an excellent entry point for drinkers looking to explore classic beer styles like Märzen, wheat ale, or spiced holiday ale.

Where is Great Lakes Seasonal made? All Great Lakes seasonal beers are brewed at the Great Lakes Brewing Company brewery in Cleveland, Ohio, located in the Ohio City neighborhood on the city's west side.

What foods pair well with Great Lakes Seasonal? Oktoberfest pairs naturally with bratwurst, soft pretzels, and roasted pork thanks to its malty sweetness. Christmas Ale complements gingerbread, roasted ham, and sharp cheddar with its honeyed spice. Summer wheat offerings work alongside grilled fish tacos and light salads.

What sizes does Great Lakes Seasonal come in? The standard retail format is a six-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the most widely distributed size for Great Lakes seasonal releases.

Is Great Lakes Seasonal worth the price? Great Lakes Seasonal positions in the mid-range craft beer tier, and the inclusion of multiple World Beer Championships medal winners in the rotation represents strong value relative to comparable regional and national craft seasonals.

Why Great Lakes Seasonal?

The rotating Seasonal 6-Pack showcases one of the Midwest's most decorated craft breweries at its most creative and tradition-minded. With a combined ten-plus World Beer Championships medals across just the Oktoberfest and Christmas Ale alone, the seasonal lineup carries genuine competitive pedigree. The brewery's sustainability-focused production—solar-assisted brewing water and ambient-air cooling—adds meaningful character to each batch without compromising consistency. For drinkers who want to track the seasons through well-made, award-recognized beer from a pioneering Ohio brewery, this six-pack delivers on that promise rotation after rotation.