Great Lakes Brewing Company's Eliot Ness

There are some brews out there that make me realize just why I love that mixture of hops, barley and malt so darn much.

One from the Great Lakes Brewing Company is the epitome of that love.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to head to the mountains of Virginia, where members of my family live. There, it seemed like the entire family showed up for a weekend of fun, excitement, revelry and, of course, the drinking of a few beers.

And when my sister, her husband and my niece showed up on Saturday morning, it turned out they had a treat waiting for me in that trunk of theirs: Eliot Ness Lager.

Now, from what I can gather, Eliot Ness is not something you can get around these parts. It’s rather like the Fat Tire brews that so many people want, but can’t get due to distribution issues. Needless to say, when my sis told me she brought three sixers for me to take home, I was jubilant.

The Eliot Ness Lager by the Great Lakes Brewing Company is a darker lager with a porter-like head and a front taste that simply knocks your socks off. It’s barely bitter with a slight earthy taste that drinks like a fine red wine rather than a quick-chugging bar brew.

Like any good beer, it should be served ice cold and straight from the bottle. A glass is nice, if you have a chilled one, but Eliot Ness right out of the bottle is the purest form of this nectar I call a great beer.

The aroma is subtle and hints at an almost oak-like finish. In fact, it almost has a sweet smell to it just after pouring.

This beer is perfect for the drinker who enjoys a porter but can only drink, one or those who like a more bold taste to their brown ales. It’s dark, it’s strong and it’s perfect.

So, the next time you find yourself in Cleveland, Ohio, swing by the Great Lakes Brewery and snag a pint. Or, the next time you’re in Ohio, look for a sixer in the nearest store. But if you need one quick, well, I’m going to have to be selfish here.

I only have 18 to last me three months.