Great Lakes Eliot Ness - Great Lakes Brewing Company

lostwars

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Pours into a hybrid amber/maple syrup-like color with a sandy head. Carbonation is active and adds to the appearance of the beer.

S - Lovely full odor and satisfying warmth - undercurrent of new leather, walnut, and macaroon.

T - dark mocha, cocoa powder that turns into rum-like burnt sugar after 30 sec that gives way to a wonderful cloven hop lick.

M - at first carbonated and creamy, the feeling follows down the throat.

D - Mildly high ABV makes this a fun bottle to session and the flavors mature into the 3rd to 4th helping.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2009 20:43:35 | More by lostwars

tjwarren

Ohio

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at a local bar and grill. 16 ounce draft at $3.00 is a steal. Have had it in a bottle many times.

Appearance - deep amber, almost brownish purple. Unusual and very nice. Not much head.

Smell - exceptional. Caramel, malty, hint of hops.

Taste - knocks your socks off. All konds of things going on. Malty, caramel with just enough hops to keep it interesting but never overpowering. One of the best tasting beers I have ever had. I think the balance is perfect.

Mouthfeel - it is easy going down, no bitterness, nice and thick, not watery, I was going to go less than 5 here just so that there were 5's all the way across but I just couldn't find a legit reason for it.

Overall - you will want another. There is nothing lacking here. Drink it nice and slow. There is no weakness here cold or warmed a little. The best lager I have ever had.

I am not the biggest GLBC fan but this is perfection. Bravo.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 00:55:24 | More by tjwarren

HopHeadRyan

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Let me start by saying that I am a Pale Ale person...I normally shy away from all-things-lager...with that being said...WOW!

I become more of a Great Lakes fan with every beer I sample...

A - Beautiful crystal clear sparkling carmel-amber...decent 1/2 inch head that lingers...and leaves awesome lacing around the glass.

S - Sweet carmel notes, bready, herbal, slight fragrance of nobel hops

T - Awesome quick sweetness perfectly countered by slight hop bitterness. Definite grainy/breadiness/minerally. Delicious!

M - Perfect...exactly as expected medium bodied lager...not overly syrupy or watered down. just right!

O - I thought their Dortmunder Gold was my favorite lager...now I'm torn between the two. Exceptionally drinkable...strength of 6.2 abv very well hidden. An awesome beer that I think most would enjoy! If you see it...buy it!

I should also note that the "consume by date" on the sampler case I bought was Nov 7 2011. Today is Nov 1 2011. I was concerned when I saw the date...but the beer is still very fresh and perfect. This tells me that Great Lakes has excellent quality control and really know their product!

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 18:05:06 | More by HopHeadRyan

DesertRat

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I am not a huge fan of pilsners or lagers. Jesus Christ, this lager is so good, it has more bite than a Paulaner, but is still so smooth. I enjoy this beer with a carb rich dinner or lunch. The honey after taste is what really makes me indulge when I start drinking these. I understand why this beer is a stand out across the world, even in Germany.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2013 03:29:53 | More by DesertRat

Gold

New York

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've been to Munich, Germany and Great Lakes is the next best thing in the U.S. for the greatest lager out there. Perfect, delicious lager and it follows the beer purity laws. This is high quality stuff right here. Highly recommended. The variety pack is a great place to start for Great Lakes wide array of excellent offerings.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:52:15 | More by Gold

RBorsato

Virginia

4.97/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A bit hazy copper/light brown color with a full tan head and nice carbonation that keeps the head present and leaves some lace. Nice biscuit and toast malt aroma with light hops noticeable. Toasty biscuit malt flavor with nice balance. Medium bodied and creamy.

The only negative I found was that it was not as clear as it should be for the style ... a nit.

Per G.L. website: 35 IBU. American Two-row and Belgian Munich, Caravienne and Caramunich malts, and Hallertau hops.

Enjoy By: 04/30/04
Tasted: 01/11/05

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2005 18:11:07 | More by RBorsato

dungledauf

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 12 ounce brown bottle with a drink by date of April 29, 2010

Appearance: Clear, reddish, amber color with plenty carbonation. Nice lacing.

Smell: Very sweet smelling beer which means there are many styles of malt used.

Taste: Full-bodied lager with finishes smooth. Nicely balanced.

Notes: One of the most full-bodied lagers I have ever had. Perhaps decoction mashing is used. My favorite Vienna lager when compared to Penn Pilsner and Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2010 16:13:29 | More by dungledauf

Dray

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I bought this at a bottle shop and was looking to cross off some of my, "wants" on my list.

It poured a dark amber with a nice head, but it was the aroma that smacked me in the face. It just said to me, your not gonna forget me anytime soon! Then I drank it. Then I wanted another, but only bought one!

I have to say that after I was finished drinking this heavenly beer I smelled the glass for the next 20 min. While contemplating going to the store and getting more.
Must try!!!!

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 12:41:26 | More by Dray

spitInTheOcean

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

what this is is a gorgeous glass of beer.

it smell richly of malty goodness. the caramel and toasted notes are the most pronounced, but the hop note is subtly present.

the taste is sweet and malty. caramel and toast really come through, and i swear, there the finish seems almost kind of nutty, like hazelnut or walnut. its so rich it challenges an ale, but the carbonation is pronounced and unmistakebley crisp.

the finish is also nicely balanced with the 27 IBUs. but even with the IBUs this beer is like a scotch ale recipe made with lager yeast.

all that being said, this is perhaps the best lager i have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 03:41:41 | More by spitInTheOcean

dtreindl

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow! Everything about this beer is well executed. The head is thin (1/4"), but dense and yeasty, dissipating to an ultra-thin lacing. Color is a beautiful dark amber. Mouthfeel surprisingly creamy and the flavor is spectacular! They pushed the envelope with a flavor of toasted bread with a hint of dark fruit. They walked right up to the edge of the cliff without stepping over. They didn't overdue anything but packed this brew with a great flavor palate. It's just a perfectly balanced flavor. A little sweet on the front, little bitter on the back end. Not too much of either, but also not a victim of a conservative brewer going light on ingredients. The only aspect I could possibly criticize, if I was really looking to do so, I didn't get much out of the aroma. That's another reason the flavor was so surprisingly impressive.

Great Lakes is quickly becoming my favorite brewery if they keep up this superb brewing!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 19:20:26 | More by dtreindl

RyFikes

New York

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance- Clear, dark amber color. Thick beige head.

Smell- Toffee, caramel, brown sugar, with nutty characters.

Taste- Caramel and toffee notes, little cinnamon and brown sugar. Hoppy sweet finish. Bitter coffee after taste, with a roasted nut quality.

Mouthfeel- Carbonation gives way to a lot of residual flavor. Full body flows really well from one flavor to the next.

Overall- Everything blends perfectly. Very well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 16:52:36 | More by RyFikes

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Beautiful dark lager; a deep golden reddish color. The half inch head is gorgeous with a luscious tan shading that hangs around a short while, but leaves marvelous lacing. The more I drink this beer, the more I realize how marvelously rich, and balanced it is. Each taste is joined by a pleasantly caramel-ly aroma. The fullness of the mouthfeel is enhanced by a slightly sweet, and yet somewhat sour start that ends on a pleasantly bitter note. As it warms a bit, the flavoring builds strength; either cool or warm the great taste lingers long and strong. A warming brew that you can stick with all evening.

I tried this recently on tap and it seemed consistent with the bottled version, although the head lingered longer. Combined with a roast beef on Kaiser, the combo topped off a Friday evening in great form. Does life get any better?

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2003 19:37:55 | More by AtLagerHeads

bigkingken

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours deep amber, bordering on mahogany, with a small head that quickly dissipates into a few lonely islands and a ring around the outer edge. Smells sweet and malty with caramel and toffee right up front, giving way to floral notes with a hint of licorice. Full bodied for a lager. Starts a bit thin but then warms up into a medium mouth feel. Sweet up front giving way to malt complexity and perhaps some spices, such as all spice or coriander, which stays on the palette long after the sip has been swallowed. No bitterness in the finish. Extremely well-balanced. Hits every sense a beer is supposed to.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 19:26:09 | More by bigkingken

AmberMan22

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

poured from a 12oz bottle into my nonic glass.
Unfortunately I just realized this is past the 'for freshest taste' date by a month, but I'm not too worried.

Pours a straight-and-true amber, with a minimal light-khaki colored head. No lacing is left behind, head disintegrates rapidly.

Smell is quite good, though heavily sweet and malty, not necessarily a great balance.

Taste however, is phenomenal. This has got to be one of the best American beers I've had. Wonderfully sweet and malty up front, caramel malts dominating. Nice lingering finish of hoppiness (read happiness).

Mouthfeel is exceptionally thick considering the amber color -- and while I haven't had too many vienna lagers, I'd stake money that this is creamier than most.

Fantastic beer, I've been looking forward to trying this for so long.
Great one for my 100th review.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2010 21:31:26 | More by AmberMan22

MuchoCerveza

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +18%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is by far one of my favorite Amber Lagers as well as one of my favorite beers period. I'm a big fan of almost over the top hoppy Lagers and this takes the cake. As soon as you pour this beer the combination of the smell and the red amber appearance make your mouth water. This is one of those craft beers that goes down like an American Light beer. I could have 6 done and not even realize it. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 17:40:33 | More by MuchoCerveza

WMEugene

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +18%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Absolutely stunning. Huge fluffy off-white head rests on top of a rich reddish amber color with great lacing. Perfect.

S - Rich malts, a bit of caramel and nuttiness. Some toffee as well. Earthy. A very nice smell for a Vienna lager.

T - Much like the nose; rich malts and a swirl of caramel, nutty, and toffee flavors. Rich and tasty. Perhaps the most delicious Vienna lager I've ever had.

M - Smooth, extremely drinkable. Great aftertaste, medium bodied. Nice carbonation.

O - Great Lakes may have the best "regular" line-up of any beer available in my area. The Eliot Ness is a fantastic Vienna Lager and one of the best lagers I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 23:32:38 | More by WMEugene

Luigi

North Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +18%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours out a rich clear deep amber color, with plenty of carbonation bubbles racing to the top. The head is massive at first and through out the life of the beer the retention is perfection. Keeping a one finger head and chunks of lace sticking all around the glass.

The aroma is sweet with caramel malts yet balanced so well with a dry bitter hop.

The flavor is the a more intense version of the aroma. Sweet malt, with caramel and toffee note. Balanced out with a semi dry floral hop with a lingering bitterness.

Medium bodied with a slightly slick feel on the palate. Very easy to drink.

I do not know if I can criticize this beer at all. Just get some and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 01:04:16 | More by Luigi

brianlg

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Have had this beer in bottles and on tap at the brewery. It pours a reddish amber color with a nice white head. It smells very breadlike and grainy. It taste very smooth and malty. You can taste caramel, bread, hops, and malts. It is extremely well balanced. I can drink this beer all day every day. This is my favorite Great Lakes beer, and quite possibly my favorite all around beer. I can't say enough about this. I wish I could give this a perfect 5, but I that's something I can't see myself ever giving. Please try this beer if you haven't. I will keep this in my fridge until the day I die!

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2009 19:56:46 | More by brianlg

GreatLaura

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I love this beer, It is a lager but rprised it was a lager.gain, sureally reminds me of a micro ale. A bit of a burned carmel te color is medium, the taste is burnt carmel but lighter than say Rouge ead Guy Ale. Again, surprised it ws a lager. Great Lakes won't stand out as the best brewery ever but, you can trust what they put out as great quality and true to style.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 09:44:50 | More by GreatLaura

erosier

Connecticut

4.8/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

L: Pours a nicer darker amber color with a medium sized and medium bodied off-white colored head that laces the glass very nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet malts, caramel, and light hops.
T: Really nice base of caramelized malts, other sweet malts, then a nice finish of floral/earthy hops.
M: Very smooth, light, perfect carbonation, very refreshing.
D: Very drinkable, if I had a 6pack of this and if I could get this around here, it would be one of my go-to beers for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2009 12:00:06 | More by erosier

cokes

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A world class Vienna.
Shimmering copper in color, with an impressive beige head that sticks around the duration.
Lots of sweet malts and caramel on the nose.
Big maltiness ensues on the taste buds. If you are seeking caramelly malt perfection, look no further. Like drinking liquid caramel nougat. Lots of toffee as well. Toasted, bready flavors are evident. Fainter, there is some raisins and nuts, almost leaning this bock-esque, but they remain on the periphery. Splendid tea-like, bitter herb hops wrap this one up flawlessly.
One would be hard-pressed to find a lager with a smoother, creamier body than this. So delightful. Literally slides across the mouth.
Incredibly built.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2002 22:34:39 | More by cokes

granger10

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This was some amazing stuff! Never before had I had a vienna like this and I'd be hard-pressed to find another vienna that was this high quality. It definitely had a sweet caramel malt that dominated the flavor but was not overbearing. Soothing tea-like hops came in to balance and add to complexity. More flavors ensued but I could not pick up on what exactly they were, they were good though. The beer's finish tasted exactly like the bread I buy from my local bakery. Light honey nut wheat bread that is superb! This one's a classic.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2003 07:39:53 | More by granger10

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Solid rust/coppery color with a slight chill haze, medium, softly topped yellowy chicken meat colored head that sits a good while before settling to a favorable skim and thin, speckled curtains of lace sticking as we go. Aroma starts a tad light on the nose with some light toasty grains and bread with just a bit of sweetened fruitiness. As it warms a nice smokey-like dryness of multi whole grains, roasty hazelnuts, and hard caramel appear in the nose making it much nicer and even a bit stronger. Taste is mild but eagerly built with some f*ckin' great malts! One of the best profiles of bready/grains ever encountered, wow! Has an easy start that remains in some mixed maltyness of slight sweetness and light toastyness, but that gains with a gradual presence of uniquely thick seven grain pancake-like, toasty wild rice roundness. Spectacular malts! Perfectly milding light grassy spice and hops poke through. Add in the teriffic finish of smokened grains and malts slightly drying and lifting into the finish with mixed roasty nuttyness. Very intriguing flavors indeed, well put together with a delicately rich and smooth body that keeps convalescing. A true showmanship of the meaning behind hand crafted. Wow, what a recipe, great stuff! Try it and see, you'll be impressed no doubt! Absolutely drinkable to the fullest! My new Vienna/Marzen to keep around at all costs! Yum times ten!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2004 23:54:48 | More by tavernjef

witster18

Tennessee

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A fantastic beer that bursts with hops. This is awesome not just on taste but on originality. Strong flavors but incredible smooth and crisp at finish.. a fine brew to enjoy if you find yourself in Ohio. . A certain nuttiness to this. My favorite of the always avail great lakes brews. This stuff is truly awesome. At the top of my list of flavorful beers with excellent drinkability. Good enough that I employ my brother to drive me at least two cases worth every xmas,...all the way to the Tenn./Ga. border.. Might be worth moving to Cleveland over(seriously-that's how good this is). I'm sure I'll be a little above the average score here because of IT BEING MY favorite beer in the world...I realize it's not for everyone but one thing is FOR SURE...I can EASILY tell this great beer apart from any other vienna lager in the world...it is complex and tasty with ample malt and hops and a great warming peppery bite that molds into the most awesome sticky aftertaste... and fantastic quality, mouthfeel, and above average drinkability. A well-balanced and flavorful 6.2 brew....this beer could get me in trouble....and often does.

TOP NOTCH!

Original and Balanced is a rare combination. Nothing in the world tastes like Nessy... NOTHING>!

I've tried about 350+ beers in my day.... I hope to review that many or more on here... BUT TO THIS POINT... THIS IS MY FAVORITE BEER IN ALL THE LAND.

Be very careful with nessy though.... this is undoubtedly the smoothest 6+ abv on the planet, and could get the average sessioner in quite a bit of trouble if he/she loses count/track of time.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2006 22:53:13 | More by witster18

DrewV

New York

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle (drink by 5/7/11) from my beer fridge (45 degrees) into a Spiegelau Stemmed Pilsner glass (tulip). But I actually prefer it in a SA Perfect Pint glass where the aromas contribute more significantly to the overall tasting experience.

A: I have to admit, this is a sexy-looking beer. Pours a deep ruby-gold color with 2-finger creamy head from a conservative pour. 3- or 4-finger head easily possible with an aggressive pour. Generous lacing that sticks around quite a while.

S: Pure creamy Munich malty goodness! Bready malt hits the nose first and is supported by a lesser amount of caramel. Possibly some noble hops hiding in the background, but tough to distinguish. Some darkish fruity notes are evident when presented from a snifter/tulip glass that don't show up in the SA Perfect Pint glass.

T: Deep sweet Munich malt base with a very faint spiciness (hops) near the finish. I would like to roll this around in my mouth all day, savoring the flavors. Caramel malt becomes more intense as the beer warms. Flavor is always sweet, but never cloying. Aftertaste is almost completely neutral and leaves you anxiously awaiting the next sip.

M: Chewy throughout, slightly dry, but finishes oily. Moderate-to-high carbonation suits the beer nicely. Carbonation fades slightly as it warms.

O: Best Vienna Lager on the market, in my opinion. SA Boston Lager can't hold a candle to this in any department. My preference is to serve this a bit on the cold side, as it keeps the sweetness down. But it's hard to go wrong in any way with this beer. My favorite from GLBC, I could drink this every day. A relatively high ABV prevents this from being a session beer, as it does creep up on you, but the 6.20% ABV is 100% hidden in both aroma and taste. Incredible.

Final note: Unfortunately I can't give this 5's across the board due to the slightly unbalanced flavor profile, which might benefit from a slightly heavier dose of hops. But it's damn close to perfect. Grab this whenever you see it available.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2011 01:53:02 | More by DrewV