Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale - Great Lakes Brewing Company

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a shaker pint glass at The Firkin.

Somehow this guy got swept under the rug following my recent jaunt to the Firk. Ordered last, to compliment my share of a burger (tasty stuff, I tells ya). It pours a clear copper topped by a finger of off-white micro-foam. The nose comprises caramel, light greens, oak, and a light-ish dash of orange peel. The taste follows fairly closely, with notes of orange peel, light caramel, sweet rice, and a sort of celery-type flavor. Everything has a vague sweetness to it, though a similarly vague bitterness pervades as the finish nears. I'm still not sure if they go together all that well. (I'll get back to ya.) The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry-ish finish. Overall, a decent brew, especially in the capacity of accompanying the burger, but frankly nothing all that special. I can't really knock any part of it per se, but I also can't rave about them either. You know what I mean.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 01:18:29 | More by TMoney2591

Kelly88

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the dilly deli, served in a pint/pilsner glass hybrid.

A- dark ambrosia with a dirty white dog head. Clarity is about medium and bird of lacing cling to the glass.

S- almost a sweet and sour type smell. Sweet malts and a sort of stout cream type smell. Not bad but different.

T- alcohol fuses with the malts to create a sort of sweet tannin type taste. Hops balance This at the end to make for a nice finish

M- a little heavier than expected. Low carbonation That weighs on the palate. A bit of tingle on the way down

Overall a good red ale that isn't very sessionable for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 18:04:28 | More by Kelly88

JLeege

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft, into a pint

Appearance- Pours a clear amber/copper color with a creamy just off white head. Good retention and lace left behind.

Smell- Strong bready/doughy malts. Some caramel.

Taste- Very smooth. Slightly citrus hop notes and caramel. A bit earthy even. With loads of bready/doughy/toasted/biscuit malts. It goes beyond your typical breadyness, like thick, chewy, fresh; not quite all the way baked bread. On the sweet side overall. A tad dry on the finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium body and carbonation, smooth.

Overall- Excellent beer, my favorite St. Pattys beer by a long shot. You will be hard pressed to find an Irish Red better than this. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2011 23:28:42 | More by JLeege

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at Mavis Winkle's in Independence OH in a pint glass.

Pours a reddish amber color, with a creme-colored foamy head.

Has a nutty, malty smell, with hints of caramel.

Very malty, even creamy, and quite sweet. Tons of toffee taste, the sweetness begins to wear on you after a while.

Medium bodied, this has no bitterness to speak of at all.

Drinkable enough, though sweet and malty to the point where one or two of these is about all I can handle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2011 02:03:39 | More by TheHoppiest

LordAdmNelson

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not a bad little beer here from GL. Look is a little 'meh'--color is fine, though nothing special, and there's very little head, even with some swirling. Nose is paler malts, a hint of hops to it, but pretty much a straightforward ale... the red malts don't make much of a play in the nose. Taste follows similar to the nose, and the red malts make a bit of a stronger play, though they are weak at best. Overall, the flavor is a bit lacking, though not necessarily 'off'. Decent full mouthfeel, easy drink. Pretty straightforward ale--it's not going to knock your socks off, but its not going to make you wish you had a BMC.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2011 21:19:57 | More by LordAdmNelson

Jesse13713

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sampled from a six pack as well as on tap at Ray's Place in Kent, Ohio.

Appearance - A very frothy and rich look encompassing the surface. Pours a cloudy ambery red with average lacing. Little head accompanies the surface.

Smell - Smells of slight hops and spices. I get a hint of light cherries as well. It is quite a unique smell that I haven't quite experienced before.

Taste - A very, very light and crisp carbonated start dwindling to a cherry and fruit like finish. Perhaps a sweet caramel note on the finish as well. Tangy on the tongue. An absolutely delicious red ale. I could see this being paired with carrots and potatoes, as described on the bottle.

Mouthfeel / Drinkability - This beer is dangerously addictive and is hard to stop drinking. It is an impressive red ale that I will be sad to see go out of season.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 15:50:34 | More by Jesse13713

bilyboy65

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is being reviewed from the cleveland, oh airport. That's right trying new beers on the road. This is a nice tasting and smelling beer. Sweet and malty without a lot of hops. Smells brown sugar and nutmeg and tastes the same as well. What it's lacking in is presentation. Not a lot of head or carbonation. Almost trio the point where I'm wondering if it's fresh. They've served 3 glasses of it while I'm reviewing it, so it must be right? Either way the flavor, the noise and the mouthfeel make it an overall drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 00:40:19 | More by bilyboy65

Murrdogg

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A A deep brown and caramel appearance. Rather beautiful

S Toasted caramel was obvious, along with roasted hops. Slight woody back aroma, with maybe some hints of bread or yeast

T Roasted hops and malt smacked me first and were the most obvious, but it finished with an almost floral-y sweet hop finish

M Malty hops are strong and almost overpowering. Not bubbly at all, very smooth, and goes down well.

D Light, yet complex in taste. This would be (and was!) a great have-with-dinner beer, as it isn't tooo over powering, but still compliments many dishes and styles
Not my favourite GLBC brew, but it's up there!

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2011 04:24:31 | More by Murrdogg

sixerofelixir

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on-tap 1-29-10 at the only bar in town with GL on draft. Review from notes.

I've had many bottles of this as well, but Conway's is excellent as a draft. Pours a really nice clear copper color, nice small-foam tannish head. Smell is nice and airy, a bit on the bready side. Taste is malty, chewy, with an awesome sweetness that permeates. No tankard-taste. A sweet malt that blends perfectly with the mild hoppiness. Little hops to speak of, but the finish is smooth and drinkability is good. Imbibe with dinner... a "meat and potatoes" beer, indeed.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2010 16:23:23 | More by sixerofelixir

chaz01

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this on draft at the local BW3's because, well that's about all they had for craft beer. 16 oz glass with my chicken wings.

A: Amber/Mahogany in color, nice head retains well.

S: I picked up very little aroma from my glass, maybe a faint grassy aroma.

T: Very malty with bitter rye notes.

M: Medium bodied with a bitter finish that reminded me of chocolate malt balls dipped in Irish Whiskey.

D: This actually went well with my hot wings. It's got a little bit of bitter/sour aftertaste that would prevent me from having more than one, but it's more than I expected for a place that doesn't normally serve craft beers.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2010 05:12:15 | More by chaz01

donteatpoop

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The menu had "Great Lakes Seasonal" listed so I asked which seasonal it was and she told me 'Burning River'. Since burning river is not at all seasonal I asked if she was certain that it was Burning River. She said she was.

So I bought it, expected a nice Burning River APA on tap. When I got it it looked about right, though not as red as I had remembered.

Then I smelled it and it wasn't at all like burning river or any apa I'd ever had. What the fuck though; my other options were Magic Hat #6, Red Stripe, Heineken, St. Pauli, some macros, and Sam Adams. Of all of those I'll take almost any Great Lakes beer over it so I went ahead and tasted it.

Conways. Very nice. (the receipt also was marked Conway's)

Poured a nice clear amber color with a cap of white foam. The foam lasted a decent amount of time, but didn't really have any longevity.

Smells of grain, earth, slight hope bite and mettalic taste.

The taste fits the style perfectly, a nince malty beer with a mild but present hop character. Glad to have it on tap despite the way it was presented.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2010 04:39:41 | More by donteatpoop

boatshoes

Colorado

3.4/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the local bar yesterday evening. My first experience with the Conway's, and I believe it is the last Great Lakes seasonal I hadn't tried.

Appearance- Comes off the tap a slightly bronzed amber with about a half finger of white head sitting on top, that retreats to a ring almost immediately. Not much in the way of beading or lacing.

Smell- Not that easy to detect but with some bready malts and a faint graininess coming through from what I can detect. Not a lot going on in the nose department however.

Taste- Similar. Lots of bready malts with a touch of mild graininess on the finish. Very simple beer perhaps with the idea of making it sessionable, though it clocks in a bit high in ABV.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Mouthfeel is just a touch thin but okay on the whole with appropriate carbonation. Drinkability is decent as well but the beer got a touch boring as I drank.

Overall, an unoffensive but not particularly noteworthy beer I thought. Easy enough to put away but much more boring than I've found other Great Lakes beers thus far.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2010 22:45:03 | More by boatshoes

minterro

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: head is a tan and thick. beer is a carmel color with hints of dark rusty red.

S: very hoppy and aromatic

T: diff hoppy and a after taste of wheat. a bit sweet and fruity also. with a dry finish

M: great carbonation and mid. body. very smooth to drink.

D: not too hard to drink for a mid body beer

overall: let it warm and enjoy. overall really liked it!

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2010 05:52:48 | More by minterro

GoalieRon33

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Wonderful, deep color. Not quite ruby, but more reddish than brown. eggshell-white head, about 1 inch in size

smells of sweetness. matly as hell, but very balanced all around.

tasted of many irish ales... slight alcohol burn with a finishing maltiness. overall thick brew; very heavy beer with a strong malty flavor.

heavy bodied beer that is a slow drinker

an enjoyable beer that is fun to drink slow. Not an easy chugger; great dinner beer with chicken

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2010 07:49:01 | More by GoalieRon33

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Coles.

Pours a wonderfully rich red with a smooth white head that dropped to a collar and film and left some nice streaks of lace. Spicy, bready, caramel heavy aroma immediately lets you know that that malt is in the driving seat. Taste is pretty straightforward - lots of caramel malt, some grainy breadiness and floral hops providing a nice light bitterness and depth in the tail. The body is decent, but not as great as other beers that these guys produce. Its pretty much medium feel and carbonation, but lacks the rich texture you'd expect from the Cleveland crew.

While never being a great fan of the style, I've always loved Great Lakes, and would probably rank them as the prime contender for my favourite brewery. They've done another good job here, though even their efforts won't win me over. Its just a little simple and plain. A pleasant beer for sure, but my complaint with the whole style has always been that its lacks the complexity to ever be anything greater than pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2010 19:52:39 | More by bobsy

Rennpferd

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

It was poured clear with a deep red hue. It had a nice one finger head that held during the entire sitting.

It had a lite scent, malt was present.

It had a nice clean malt taste that was accompanied by a slightly bitter hop taste. It was medium bodied with a clean finish.

It was a great beer. Excellent for a session.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2009 00:46:00 | More by Rennpferd

TheycallmeTim

New York

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Sasa in Cleveland. Poured into a shaker pint glass (in Shaker Square, no less!).

A--Poured up a little more red than amber, nice ruby colored body with a fizzy thin half finger head that bubbled and gurgled itself down the drain pretty quickly, with no rings or lacing in its wake.

S--Subdued, even for the style. A little bit of sweetish toffee and some whole wheat crust, but not much. The nose suggested this might not have been the freshest keg in the world.

T--Taste was better, and bloomed into a bigger malt profile with a sharp and instant bittering finish. Glint of oily hoppiness that's unexpected but welcome. Mostly more crackery wholegrains and breadcrust in there, and while the finish isn't quite as clean as Victory's Seamus, it's certainly in line with the style.

M&D--The mouthfeel they pretty much nail, as it's creamy and full and an all around foamy good time. Not what I expected given the head, but made my mouth happy for sure. Drinkability is decent--had a couple pints, one before dinner and one during, and it stuck out to me as a beer you could either belly up to or pair food with pretty easily.

Not the best Irish red I've had, but far from the worst. Hits all the right notes without challenging the taste buds, but without surprising them either. One of those brews (and styles) you wouldn't be ashamed to stick with when you're sick of throwing down big beers. My biggest complaint is that there could be a bit more punch in the flavor given the abv, or could lower the abv the bit while keeping the current profile.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2009 22:35:04 | More by TheycallmeTim

robbtjones68

New York

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Here is one of those cases where the beer from the tap is Sooo much better than out of the bottle. I will review the tap version and give Great Lakes the benefit of the doubt. I had one several years ago from the bottle and was not impressed; even disappointed since I have been a huge GLB fan since the late 90's. Have made several trips to the brewery Mecca over the years. My last trip, my buddy advised that I try it as a draft. I did and it was like a different brew. It came to life with punch and aroma. It delivered on a brilliant Irish Red which can be drank endlessly when done right. Bartender, pour me another! This one's on Eliot Ness....

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2009 02:57:41 | More by robbtjones68

adamette

Ohio

2.55/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap last night at Winking Lizard into a clear pint glass. Review from notes taken while enjoying the beer.

A Great Irish Ale presence with 1 cm head and a nice light brown tranlucent body.

S Almost no smell whatsoever. I have to fight to get some barley maybe. I am not impressed with the smell which is really difficult to detect.

T Thin, some barley, malt but really kind of forgettable. This really reminded me of a lager with a bit more barley. It is not a complete departure from its style but I remain not very impressed at all.

M Moderate with minimal malt, barley. Thin physicially, somewhat watery. Appropriate to the style but not much more here.

D Fair since it is just kind of forgettable. Style suggests that it should be even higher drinkability wise.

Notes: Not Great Lakes best offering and maybe one of their weakest.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2009 01:47:32 | More by adamette

Jae27

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

From Pitcher to frosted mug.

A - Pours a wonderful copper color with a good inch of off-white/tan hearty head that stays through the end of the glass. Lacing is on the higher end of the Great Lakes line about average.

S - More complex than most of the style. Notes of baked apple, toasted nut and molassas. The first glass was masked by the cold temperature but by the second the warmth really brought out the natural aromas that make this beer special.

T - The most distinguishable flavor is toasted malts with sweet notes of caramel and hickory. The hops are very well balanced and do not dominate at any point. It finishes with a fruity grapefruit and apple. All elements are balanced throughout which yield a flawless taste.

M - Slightly on the dry end, the finish is exceptional. This beer does not ware your palate out in the slightest which makes it the perfect compliment to food.

D - This is the easiest drinking beer GLBC has to offer. Easily got through the pitcher with a buddy. I could drink this beer all day.

This is my favorite beer from GLBC. It is a seasonal beer but I wish it wasn't. I reviewed it from draft but it is just as good out of the bottle. The only complaint I had was that it was served too cold. The twelve pack box is a wonderful buy. Do not hesitate to pick some up!

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2009 00:57:01 | More by Jae27

UDbeernut

New York

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap Poured into standard pint glass

A: clear ruby red color, plenty of carbonation. Decent head with good retention and stiky lacing

S: sweet aroma most likey from carmelized malt

T: sweet taste, carmel malt slight hop bitterness balances

M&d: Medium bodied, nice buttery mouthfeel very drinkable beer.

Another great selection from GLBC

Cheers!!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 13:43:04 | More by UDbeernut

Freshie

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at their Main location in downtown Cleveland. 1/3/09

ABV and IBU of 25 listed on tap menu, with description.

A- Amber, and clear, with slight white head. Missing that tint of red.

S- Semi-sweet malt aroma. Light barley and toasted malt. nothing special really. Probably due to the cold serving temperature. Aroma did not come through as with their other beers.

T- Light sweet malt. some light floral hops.

M- Very watery, with some carbonation.

D- If anything, it did go down smooth.

Not much to this one. A very light Irish ale. Very average too below average. I don't think this batch was up to snuff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2009 19:57:48 | More by Freshie

pacothrash

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Beef O'Brady's in Centerville, OH. Nice golden amber to red color with a small white head which was quickly gone. Nice malty smell. Malty, caramel taste with some biscuit flavor and a small hoppy bitter bite at the end. One of the many nice beers by Great Lakes. This is a very easy to drink beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2008 20:05:54 | More by pacothrash

neenerzig

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a glass of this on-tap last night at a concert I attended at the Jigsaw Saloon in Parma. Served in a clear plastic cup. This beer is a fairly dark amber red/copper color. I don't remember the beer looking this dark the times I poured from the bottle and drank it, but maybe the beer looked darker because of the dim lighting inside the Jigsaw. Had a good head about an inch thick when drawn from the tap. Settled to a decent film layer covering the surface with a nice white ring lining the inside of my cup. Aromas of malt, a bit of roasted caramel, fruit, alcohol, and bits of spice and hops can all be found here. Tastewise the beer is fairly sweet upfront with flavors of malty bread, some fruit and spices, and a trace of hops. Has a good crisp and full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Easy to drink in the manner that good beer should be. This beer does the winning!

Eric

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2007 22:23:16 | More by neenerzig

kimcgolf

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at a wedding reception. Nice amber pour with an off-white head that lingered nicely and okay lacing. Aroma was slightly malty caramel with a hint of fruit. Mouthfeel was bittersweet, and the taste, again was a malty fruit, though not real dominant.

All rounded out to a smooth, pleasant finish. Not a great beer, but it turned out to be a pretty good session beer, as I had several.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2007 09:57:40 | More by kimcgolf