Buffalo Rising Online

Aug 18th 2007, 10:37am By Adam Fix

Are you (or a friend) looking to start trying out some better beers, but don't know where to start? The two amber lagers profiled below are both better than that PBR that's been sitting in your fridge, and you can buy them nearly anywhere! They might be a little more expensive than 35 cents a can (see Willowbrook Farms Beverage Center) but they won't break the bank, either.

Amber lagers are widely accessible brews; complex enough for the seasoned beer veteran to enjoy, but simple enough (as a cousin of the pilsener) for anyone to pick up and drink. Because of this, amber lagers have gained a widespread popularity that is sure to only increase in the coming years.

As we continue our countdown to the '07 Buffalo Brewfest, today we'll take a look at a couple of amber lagers produced by breweries participating in this year's festival: Great Lakes Brewing Company's Eliot Ness Amber Lager, and JW Dundee's Amber Lager.

Eliot Ness is technically a Vienna Lager, a subset of Amber Lager. This style of brewing came about in Austria during the mid-19th century, and exhibits a medium body with noticeable hop bitterness and malt sweetness. Great Lakes' take on the style doesn't disappoint, with big, bread-y malt flavors that hit you right away. The hop bitterness, at 35 IBU, is noticeable and balances out the malts and relatively high ABV (which clocks in at 6.2%). Consequently, Eliot Ness, the pride of Cleveland, is full of rich, beery goodness.

JW Dundee's Amber Lager, produced by High Falls Brewing Company of Rochester, NY, is similar to Eliot Ness, but has a little less ABV, a little less bitterness, and a little less of an impact on the wallet. When comparing the two head-to-head, Eliot Ness is the clear winner. But for the price (and how easy it is to procure), Dundee's Amber Lager is a pretty good choice. It clocks in at 4.9% ABV and 25 IBU, and is available year-round.

There are a variety of corner stores around the city that carry both of these lagers. We Never Close on Elmwood regularly stocks multiple varieties of JW Dundee beers, and offers a limited selection of Great Lakes beers as well. Wilson Farms regularly stocks both. Tops and Wegmans will very likely offer both of these lagers at any time. You can expect to pay between $7 and $9 for a six-pack, depending on where you shop.

If you like them, be sure to check out the variety packs that both JW Dundee and Great Lakes offer- or just sample a variety yourself at the Brewfest! Both breweries make other beers that are excellent choices (JW Dundee's Honey Brown, a classic; and Great Lakes' Edmund Fitzgerald, which is dark and delicious).

2007 Buffalo Brewfest
August 25, 1-6 PM
Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, 14212


We Never Close
Corner at Elmwood & Bird Avenue, 14222