Buffalo Creek Long Grove Lager 4Pk

Buffalo Creek Long Grove Lager 4Pk is a Vienna-style lager brewed at 5% ABV in Long Grove, Illinois, sold as a four-pack. This malt-forward craft lager earned a Bronze Medal at the 2025 World Beer Championships® from the Beverage Testing Institute, validating its clean, traditional approach to the Vienna lager style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Long Grove, Illinois  |  Style: Vienna Lager  |  Brewery: Buffalo Creek Brewing

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Creek Brewing operates out of Long Grove, Illinois, a small village in Lake County northwest of Chicago. Long Grove Lager follows the Vienna lager tradition — a style originating in 19th-century Austria characterized by its emphasis on malt depth over hop bitterness. The brew uses a malt-forward grain bill balanced with noble hops, then undergoes a full eight-week lagering period. That extended cold conditioning — notably longer than many craft lagers see — allows the beer to develop its characteristically clean, refined profile while eliminating the off-flavors that shorter lagering can leave behind.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bready, toasted malt rises first, followed by subtle floral and herbal notes from the noble hops. There is a gentle sweetness underneath, clean and uncomplicated.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-driven, with a bready, lightly sweet character that anchors the mid-palate. Noble hops emerge gradually to provide measured bitterness and a balancing crispness. The overall impression is one of restraint — each element stays in proportion.

Finish: Medium in length, dry, and refreshingly clean. A lingering trace of toasted grain and mild hop bitterness keeps the palate engaged without heaviness.

How to Drink Long Grove Lager

Pour into a clean pilsner glass or traditional lager flute at 40–45°F to highlight the malt character and noble hop aroma. This is a beer built for straightforward drinking — no garnish or embellishment required. For a Michelada, the malt sweetness pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. In a Shandy, its bready backbone holds up against fresh lemonade without turning thin. A Beergarita — blending lager with a splash of tequila and lime — benefits from Long Grove Lager's clean finish acting as a neutral, malt-rounded base.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where a clean, approachable lager outshines mass-market options
• Introducing craft-curious friends to malt-driven European beer styles
• Supporting a local Illinois brewery with a competition-validated product
• Pairing with grilled meats, burgers, or weekend tailgate spreads

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Long Grove Lager taste like? Long Grove Lager delivers a bready, gently sweet malt character balanced by restrained noble hop bitterness, finishing clean and crisp thanks to its eight-week lagering period.

How does Long Grove Lager compare to Negra Modelo? Both are Vienna-style lagers with malt-forward profiles, but Long Grove Lager is a small-batch Illinois craft beer with an eight-week lagering period, while Negra Modelo is a mass-produced Mexican import at a slightly higher 5.4% ABV with a darker color and more pronounced caramel sweetness.

Is Long Grove Lager good for beginners? Yes — at 5% ABV with a smooth, malt-driven flavor and minimal hop bitterness, it is one of the most approachable craft lager styles available and a strong entry point into European-inspired beer.

Where is Long Grove Lager made? Long Grove Lager is brewed by Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, Illinois, a small community in Lake County about 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

What foods pair well with Long Grove Lager? Grilled bratwurst or sausages complement the bready malt character. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the beer's toasted grain notes. Roasted chicken benefits from the lager's clean, palate-cleansing finish. Mild cheddar or Gouda cheeses mirror its subtle sweetness. Pork tacos with a squeeze of lime bring out the noble hop undertones.

What sizes does Long Grove Lager come in? Long Grove Lager is available in a four-pack format from Buffalo Creek Brewing.

Is Long Grove Lager worth the price? Long Grove Lager positions as a local craft lager at a reasonable price tier for the style, and its 2025 World Beer Championships® Bronze Medal confirms it competes credibly against Vienna lagers well above its weight class.

Why Long Grove Lager?

A Bronze Medal at the 2025 World Beer Championships® from the Beverage Testing Institute gives Long Grove Lager third-party credibility that most local craft lagers never earn. The eight-week lagering period reflects a commitment to traditional technique — rushing a lager is easy; waiting is not. For Illinois drinkers in particular, this represents a genuinely local Vienna lager brewed with classic European methods and noble hop varieties, delivering a level of polish that stands apart from the hop-heavy ales dominating most craft lineups.