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

Florida9

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark reddish amber in color. Forms a small, but creamy off-white colored head that eventually reduces to a thick ring around the edges. Some minimal lacing.

S: The smell, while not bad, seems off to me. Lots of malty fruits, apple skins, apple pie, pear, white grapes and a touch of toast.

T: Flavor is likewise malty with an appreciable caramel maltiness, some toast, and then some sweet stewed apples and pears. Mild herbal happiness. Finishes like apple cider.

M: Medium in body. Medium carbonation. Mild bitterness.

O: I had this one after a Brian Boru and the two just don't compare. This one is much more malty with a lots of fruit (which I wasn't expecting) and very low on the hops and bitterness. Glad to have tried it, but couldn't see coming back to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 21:11:09 | More by Florida9

dexterk1

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours with a reddish/dark amber color. Head is relatively thick and stays for a little while.
Odor is light. Some hops noticeable and maybe some grain.
Taste is pretty good. It is not outstanding but good. Hops are noticeable from beginning to end. Some breadyness also. Also a little pine in the middle.
Mouth feel is light and carbonated. Pretty well balanced.
Overall, not the best Irish ale. However, i do think it is worth drinking and would try it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 23:04:14 | More by dexterk1

MaximalC

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours completely transparent, somewhere between amber and ruby in color with a healthy off-white head. Aroma is mild and unobtrusive. I had no idea what to expect from this beer in terms of flavor, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. First sip invokes a sweet, malty, lightly spiced flavor with a very smooth feel. It's easy for caramel malt to become cloying if one's not careful, but I don't find that to be the case here. There's just enough citric hop flavor to balance the sweetness, making this brew very easy to drink. My only grievance is that things fall apart a bit on the back end, where an indefinable and slightly metallic aftertaste overstays its welcome. That transgression is fairly minor though in the grand scheme of things, and I would readily endorse this irish red ale as a fine session beer and something worth trying if you're looking for something a little off the beaten path.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 00:46:55 | More by MaximalC

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bronze pour with small head that dissipates quickly leaving no lace. Smell is biscuit, caramel, grassy hop. Taste is cereal, caramel, a bit nutty, a hint of sweetness. Finish is dryish and clean. Body holds together well, slightly prickly carbonation on a semi-creamy feel. Pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 06:23:15 | More by JackieTH

DerekP

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Notes from 3/4/12:

Label denotes "Best before 4/14/12." Brownish-red appearance. Off-white head slims down, but a thin rim holds steady. Clear with very little carbonation bubbles.

Fruity hops & sweet caramel in the nose. Clean, smooth & inviting.

Prickly bite up front. Carbonation, subtle sweetness & bittering hops. Tart apple. Spicy hops flavor. Caramel malts.

Fairly balanced with a touch more hops to boost. Medium-bodied with a sharp, yet not intense hoppiness.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 22:22:22 | More by DerekP

fx20736

New York

2.45/5  rDev -35.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass, served cool.

light amber forms 2 finger beige head, little lacing.

aroma is surprisingly hoppy, of the Noble variety.

mouthfeel is ok.

taste of spicy hops and GL's signature toasted malt that has a slight taste of chocolate.

Notes: there is something about Great Lakes' ales; Burning River, Nosferatu and now Conway. They all have a cocoa aftertaste. Conway is hoppier than any Irish Ale I have ever had. I don't like anything about this beer. The color is insipid, the aroma not to the style, the taste out of sync.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 22:06:25 | More by fx20736

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

1.53/5  rDev -59.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Bottle into tulip
Best before 3/31/2012

A- Clear copper/red pour with a finger width white head. Lacing is decent.

S- Definitely getting citrus and a slightly sweet malt but the smell that hits me like a ton of bricks is what my brain thinks is cabbage. It's something slightly rank and off putting. It's a strange, sickly sour aroma.

T- Biscuity, slightly sweet, there is a bittering hop flavor and that awful cabbage/ sour vegetable taste. Taste is part smell, when I hold my breath and take a sip it's a 3. When I catch a whiff it's a 1.

M- Nice carbonation, Light bodied.

O- My goodness, I really like Great lakes. I do hope this is a bad bottle or my taste buds are shot (just had a vanilla coffee porter) this beer is almost vomit inducing...

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 00:45:02 | More by korguy123

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Red-amber brew with an inch of loose head.

Semi-sweet grain nose with a subtle dose of citrus/earthy hops. Clean smelling, but dumbed-down.

In the taste is much more of a toasty malt taste with a similar hop profile from the nose. A little grapefruit, a little chalk. Grassiness is evident, and balances well with the cereal sweetness. Not a bad Irish Ale.

Mouthfeel is full for the style. Feels great. Some heft and ensuing carb.

I'm enjoying my pint just fine, but I may not order another anytime soon. Good brew, but I can pass.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 01:18:50 | More by thecheapies

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a perfect pint.

3.5 A: Clear orange amber color. One and a half fingers of frothy off-white head. Retention is average and a short ring of lacing is left.

3.5 S: Fairly dry with a solid toastiness. Grainy, clean, and a dollop of caramel.

3.5 T: Plentiful toastiness with a slight nuttiness. Light toffee and caramel. Grainy malts. Light sweetness. Tasty.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Super smooth with a light creaminess.

4.0 D: This is a thoroughly solid beer that goes down far too easily. Though I can't say I'm really that impressed with any one aspect of this beer, I'm really sad that I only have one. I would do horrible things for a couple more right now. Love the toast.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 02:14:19 | More by DavoleBomb

merc7186

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at Mammosers in Hamburg NY, poured intoa pint glass.

A: Amber/Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Caramel, Sweet Malts, Mild Toffee

T: Toffee, Sweet Malts, Caramel

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Malty, Mildly Dry

Overall, a decent Irish Ale, definitely fresh when I had it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2012 22:31:59 | More by merc7186

Sdesenberg

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought a six for around eight bucks. Pours a nice deep copper color with good thick sticky cream colored head. Smell is biscuity malt. Smells really good. Taste is also biscuity malt, deep and rich. Slight alcohol on the finish, but not enough to get in the way. A really good, malty substantial brew. If only all Irish Ales were this deep and flavorful. One of the few good things to ever come out of the state of Ohio!

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 00:55:07 | More by Sdesenberg

mattbk

New York

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Clear, fairly dark, seductive. A little browner than red. Nice tan head, quickly fading.
S - The aroma is slightly sweet, malty, toasted. Some light hop bitterness in the background. Not very strong though.
T - Yes, the taste shines on this beer though. The malts they are using are so toasty. Like warm and crusty bread. After that comes the malt sweetness, toffee, light caramel. At the end there is the bitterness from the hops. The beer is light and drinkable, yet has a very nice malt taste.
M - Medium mouthfeel, very fine carbonation, I do wish this had just a bit more body and less carbonation.
O - I've had this in previous years and thought it was better? But still very good. A nice malty, drinkable Irish Ale. It showcacses Great Lakes base malt perhaps better than any of their other beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 01:50:56 | More by mattbk

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First on draft. Thanks Amanda!

Pours a on orangish red color.

smell is about what an Irish red should be. Slightly roasted malts, no real hops. smells drinkable.

The taste is really about exactly what an Irish Red should be. Malt driven, not too balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2012 01:55:00 | More by VncentLIFE

Rhynes2

Ohio

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful dark color for this beer. The flavor is very malt centered but still well balanced. It lets the malts give off a nice sweetness with the hops it balances out nicely. Pours a nice two finger head with good retention but not much for lacing. It's not my favorite brew from Great Lakes but I get it every year when it comes around.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 23:24:06 | More by Rhynes2

HollandTunnels

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a nice amber red, 1 inch foam

S - Malt and a little smoked or toasty and sweet

T - A bit on the sweet side tasts and smell are similar

M - Good, easy or mid

O - I liked the beer just alittle on the sweet side for my taste but overall good beer

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 22:07:46 | More by HollandTunnels

warnerry

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From notes. Best by 4/12/11; consumed 3/17/11

A - Pours clear amber with two fingers of head that has pretty good retention.

S - Mostly malts a bit sweet and a bit of toasted grain.

T - Similar to smell, taste is slightly sweet malts and toasted grains. Finishes pretty clean. Pretty tasty.

M - Nice medium mouthfeel. Coats the palate without being heavy.

O - An easy drinking Irish red. I wish I had gotten a bit more hops out of this, but not bad as is.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 17:42:08 | More by warnerry

BigPlay1824

New York

3.53/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a pint glass

A: Pours a very clear light amber color with a small amount of carbonation bubbles and a finger of just off white creamy head that lingers for a bit then dissipates, leaves a thin layer of lacing
S: interesting sweetness and what i can only say reminds me of creaminess, maybe whipped cream
T: very clean and crisp taste, very clean, begins with just a slight sweetness, nice nutty malt and sweetness in the middle, very toned down but still present, leaves just a slight sweetness on the palate afterwards
M: a bit intense on the carbonation in the beginning, then has a creamy texture, and leaves the mouth slightly sticky
O: a decent brew, drinks nicely and cleanly, i could drink a sixer of this with no qualms

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 00:49:03 | More by BigPlay1824

beerme626

Kentucky

3.45/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Coming off of Edmund Fitzgerald recently, I was surprised by Conway's Irish Ale

A: A nice amber red, but with a small head that dissipated almost immediately.
S: The best part. A rich, fruity smell with distinct notes of berries.
T: Again, a little fruity for an Irish red, with a bit of alcohol taste and little hop bitterness
M: Very thin, almost flat (though the bubbles from carbonation are clearly visible).
O: Not what I expected from Great Lakes, but worth the single bottle I bought.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 05:29:41 | More by beerme626

alexgash

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle. Best by 03/26/12.

Deep auburn-copper with golden edges. Clear and clean. Thick finger of whipped, creamy, light beige head. Good lacing. Malty mix of caramel rolls, honeyed toast, and fruit (apple, pear).

Toasted malts up front, with slight graininess. Sweetish caramel and fruit fill up the palate. Toasted malt notes throughout. Modest herbal hop presence gets a little lost in the malt. Some herbal bitterness in the finish, but mostly lingering fruit and honey toast. Medium-bodied, with a nice creamy feel. Not my favorite style, but a nice example of it.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 01:39:56 | More by alexgash

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.18/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

I picked up a bottle of Great Lake's Conway's Irish Ale last week for $1.69 at The Lager Mill. I haven't had an Irish Red Ale in a while and Great Lakes is a pretty solid brewery so I decided to give this beer a try, lets see how it goes. It had a best buy date of 3-26-12. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a imperial pint glass.

A- The label looks ok and it has a nice looking old school picture on the label. It poured a nice copper/red color with two and a half fingers worth of fluffy white head that died down to a thin layer that stayed till the end and left a little lacing. The color was a little light but the head was spot on.

S- The aroma of this beer is all about the malts. It starts off with lots of malts that smell lightly toasted and pretty sweet, it imparted some brown bread, caramel, and biscuit like aromas. Next comes a light amount of spices and a really light earthy hops aroma. The aroma was on the sweet side and seemed to be pretty average.

T- The taste seems to follows the nose. The first thing that I pick up is loads of malts that seem lightly toasted and have a high amount of medium sweetness and impart some caramel, biscuit, brown bread, grains, and a little bit of cereal. After that comes that light amount of spices that I got in the aroma and a light amount of earthy and herbal hops on the finish with a very low amount of bitterness and a biscuity and slightly spicy aftertaste. The flavor seems to be pretty average as far as Irish Red Ales go, it wasn't that memorable and little dull.

M- Smooth, slightly creamy, medium bodied, and it had a medium amount of carbonation. I got no complaints with the mouthfeel, it worked well with this beer.

Overall I thought that this was an Ok beer and a pretty average Irish Red Ale, it didn't have anything that was out of place for the style, but it seemed like the flavors didn't meld as good as they could of and the sweet malts didn't let hardly any other flavors and aromas come through. This beer went down fairly smooth, one went down smooth and I might be able to drink another one but after that I think the sweetness would start to get to me. What I liked most about this beer was the mouthfeel, it was pretty spot on for an Irish Red Ale. What I liked least about this beer was the high amount of sweetness, I think the sweetness needs to be toned down some to make this beer more enjoyable and drinkable. I don't think I would buy this beer again, there are better Irish Red Ales to be found that are more available at the same price. I don't really recommend this beer unless you are a huge Irish Red Ale, I find it to be a pretty middle of the road kind of beer. Great Lakes is a pretty solid brewery and this beer was Ok, but it just wasn't that memorable of beer and it really didn't hold my attention, better luck next time guys.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 04:40:11 | More by StoutHunter

lovindahops

New York

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Conway pours a glowing red body with a clear appearance and thin head that disappear. A solid look that is spot on for an Irish ale

S- a light plum with some sweet caramel and oat scent. There is some dry scents as well

T- great toasted flavor that mingles with a sweet bready theme. Think apples with caramel followed by a crisp finish of grapes and plum. Very good flavor

M- crisp, refreshing, and tasteful. Furthermore it's the right body from the style

O- a perfect irish ale. I will make this brew always around for the beginning of spring

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 00:23:17 | More by lovindahops

HopNelius

New York

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served out of a 12 oz bottle and into an Irish pint glass.
Appearane- red color, medium carbonation, some lacing.
Smell- notes of bread and cinnamon.
Taste- notes of bread and cinnamon, caramel, typical Irish red but better.
Mouthfeel- nice desert notes
Overall- one of the better Irish reds I have had. Great drinkability I could drink several.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 00:47:15 | More by HopNelius

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Red-copper with a thick head that doesn't last all that well.
S- Very simple on the nose. Toast, caramel, and a touch of noble hop.
T- It's a fine beer, but it never really gets past acceptable for me in flavor. It's a bit sweet up front with caramel flavor. Finish is toasted bread. Quite bready.
M- Medium body for a red. Carbonation is on the assertive end.
O- Like I said it's a fine beer but there is nothing that transcends the normal Irish Red level for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 03:52:39 | More by jsprain1

output01x

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. capped bottle (Best Before 04/03/12) into a pint glass.

A strong pour yields a full 1-finger cream-colored head that fades in a couple minutes to a thin dusting and thin foam ring. The body is a perfectly clear bright red amber with a good amount of carbonation bubbles. Some light lacing can be seen throughout consumption but never seems to stick around very long.

Dark, sweet malts give notes of fresh bread and caramel. A little spiciness gives a little extra character to the nose.

Each sip starts with notes of caramel, toffee, bread crust, dry cereal, and good spiciness. Once the beer is swallowed, none of the flavors really spike and no new flavors appear. The spiciness lasts a little longer than the other flavors and into a wet finish. The spice lasts on the palate between sips.

Medium bodied with good carbonation. The body is just thick enough to allow the flavors to come out without ever becoming sticky or coating. The carbonation is a bit fizzy but does not interfere with the flavors and really helps to make this beer very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 17:16:25 | More by output01x

siege06nd

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From bottle to Great Lakes pint...

A: Pours a dark amber copper color, crystal clear. About a half finger of cream colored head that rapidly dissipates to a spotty quarter finger ring. Decent lacing.

S: Sweet caramel, toasted biscuit, and just a hint of citrus zest. Smells creamy and light.

T: Follows the nose. Grainy malt, caramel, some toasted biscuit, and a light dosage of citrus from the hops. Very creamy and smooth. The finish leaks just a little bit and is somewhat bitter.

M: Light to moderate bodied, smooth, creamy. Assertively carbonated. Good flavor profile.

O: A solid Irish Red. Fits the bill for the style quite well. It's smooth and straightforward, something Great Lakes has always done well. Very good session beer here, would love to have this during college football season.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 16:18:51 | More by siege06nd