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

dorianmarley

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is rusty, red-orange with a fabulous, fluffy white head and some good lacing.

Nose has some medium malt and a bit of pepper; and some orange zest.

Taste is blend of toasted malt and orange zest, with some toasted marshmallow. It has a natural roastedness that is soothing instead of gimmicky.

Mouthfeel is clean and easygoing, with medium carbonation.

Overall, this beer is exceptional for its naturally roasted flavor, as well as its unpretentious drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 21:40:08 | More by dorianmarley

Veristic

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Conway's Irish Ale served @ 45* into a Red Oak tulip pint glass, consumed on 4/20/12. Best by date: 5/9/12.

A- Big fluffy 2-finger off-white head that dissipates into a thin sheet that hangs around until the end. Minimal spotty lacing. Deep copper-red body. Good clarity, only slightly hazy.

S- Some sweet caramelly malt, a little toffee-ish. I can pick up a very slight herbal & floral hop aroma. All aromas are tame, pleasing and in balance.

T- Smooth & balanced, very easy drinking. Light caramel malt, a little buttery. Mild hop bitterness. Some light toasty roastiness in the finish, very nice!

M- Slightly slick mouthfeel. Medium body. Medium carbonation. Slightly astringent in the roasty aftertaste.

O- 6.5% ABV but goes down like a good 4.5% session beer. This is definitely brewed closer to style than FFF Brian Boru but I like the Brian Boru a little better. Both are great, seek em!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 04:11:10 | More by Veristic

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

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

12 Oz poured into a Guiness pint glass

A- Clear dark orange with a clear off white 1.5 finger head.

S- Smells like caramel and a lot of different malts, A nice fruity hoppyness. Some dark note like a tiny bit of chocolate.

T- Similar to how it smell. A nice bit of caramel notes. A good variety of malts typical of a red ale. Only a little bitterness but it has a slight fruitiness with it.

M- Aftertaste is dry and only soso. This beer however is super smooth and creamy. Good carbonation and rather refreshing. Has a nice feel to it and is easy drinking.

O- Another winner from Great lakes.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 21:25:44 | More by TwelveOunces

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a pint glass.
The body has a nice reddish color body with a small head that lays down quickly. The smell has a nice maltyness to it. The taste has a nice balance of sweet malt and hops. It also has some fruiteyness to it also. The mouth feel is great and overall a really good, easy drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 02:45:53 | More by chefhatt

pschul4

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into my mini snifter

A- Looks insanely red. Nailed the red ale part

S- Lots of malt in the nose. Tiny bit of hops. Pretty good stuff going on here

T- Delightfully sweet malts and just a pinch of tasty hops. Very well done

M- Nice combination of smooth on the front and prickly on the back.

O- I don't really like reds so this was a big surprise. Well done GLBC!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 22:13:31 | More by pschul4

TheBrewo

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This brew was served from the tap at MacGregor’s Grill and Tap Room in Canandaigua, NY. It arrived in a flared pilsner glass. This beer glowed a solid reddish gold, holding a one finger tan head of creamy bubbles. This showed moderate retention with spotty sheets of lacing here and there. No sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared moderate. The aroma was strong with white and red grapes, which showed with a juicy sweetness and light tartness. The malts were paler in aroma, with clean steel. Finally, baker’s yeast rounded out the back and softened things up. Our first impression was in regards to the huge grapey flavoring. As we sipped, red grape and bright strawberry sugars hit first. These mixed with softer pale malts, but really dominated the palate. The middle moved forward with more chalky, grainy malts, and gritty pepper at the peak. Here the balance was better, with the sweetness cut significantly. We were pulled to the finish on a wave of even more toasty, deeper malts, and a tonic water sourness, but that grape was persistently in the background. The aftertaste breathed of copper, grassy hops, and light peppery booze. The body was light to medium, and the carbonation was high and prickly. There was a light coating around the mouth with a brief astringency before all traces of the beer were gone. The mouth was cooled with decent slurp, but cream and froth were poor. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank nicely.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was how fresh and easy drinking it was. The fruitiness was overbearing at first, and was still quite strange by the end, but the balanced through the middle saved it. It was nice for the style, but seemed to be lacking just a bit in every category.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2012 14:16:35 | More by TheBrewo

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 12oz bottle pored into a pint glass

A - A clear red, with 1 finger of lace on the glass.

S - Dried fruit and caramel is what I detect.

T - Like the smell, a lot of fruit. Has some earthiness too it. Caramel, dried fruit, pears.

M - Medium bodied

O - A good Irish Ale, although it is not my favorite style. But the sweetness from the fruit flavors is quite enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 05:04:55 | More by BeerDawgs

homebrew311

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This beer appears a fiery orange with good clarity. Thick, dense white head present with great retention and tons of lacing. The nose features a light earthy hop character along with a punch of malty sweetness. The taste starts malty and sweet and then gives way to a tea like hop bitterness along with grass and herbs. The taste finishes slightly bland. The body is moderate and the carbonation is mellow. Overall, this beer has a lot of character, but the flavors don't work for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 02:56:08 | More by homebrew311

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

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

Served in a pint glass.

A: Clear amber with one-finger, white, cream head that lasted several minutes. Okay lacing.

S: Subtle citrus and floral hops with bready caramel malt.

T: Moderate sweetness and moderate bitterness. Caramel malt and and subtle hops.

M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Smooth and slightly dry. Nice and crisp.

O: This is a very drinkable and delicious beer from Great Lakes. I've had it several times on tap and would recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 01:14:38 | More by SolipsismalCat

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear copper, with a couple fingers of off-white foamy head. This retains with a rich ½ finger, leaving back a sudsy cascade of sticky lacing. The aroma is a nice mix of toffee, citrus, and roast, which is wrapped up in some fresh feeling leafy tones and light mineral notes.

The taste is caramel sweetness, buttered toast, and green citrus, with a leafy bitterness that trails some dry spice in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a sharp prickle on the tongue that spreads out into more of a firm creaminess in the rest of the mouth. This has a nice crisp feel to that really puts those hops to good use here.

This is a very solid Irish Red Ale and probably one of the better examples of the style that I’ve had recently. This was well balanced and flavorful with a crisp and quenching feel to it. I could easily drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 16:52:25 | More by Kegatron

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

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

Poured from the bottle into a Great Lakes pint glass. Clear with a nice amber color. Carbonation is quite low and the head is very thin. Very faint nose with some biscuit and floral notes and a touch of fruitiness.

Flavor is primarily sweet toast and jam with some caramel notes and a nice mild hop presence. There is a faint touch of spice (nutmeg?). Mouthfeel is thin-to-firm. Overall, this is a very nice, enjoyable representation of the style that I would be happy to drink again. I do wish it had a little more going for it in the hop department though.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 09:41:26 | More by deadonhisfeet

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I had this with carlos -enjoyed from schooner glassware, purchased at The Brass Rail in Campbelltown.

The color is deep ruby red with a slight scarlet hue and nice thick cap of cream with tight bead. The smell is very herbal and has a slight bready tinge with mild hint of nuts and light spice. The feel is good with a nice dry body and slightly stronger than average yet still nicely balanced with a little spiciness in the finish.

The taste is good but comes off very smooth and lager-like at times with a slight toasted grain character and mild caramel notes intermingling. the finish has an almost lager-like flavor with herbal hops enhancing the malt but leaving a slight dry effect. Overall this is a very drinkable Irish Red. I wasn't expecting one with the amount of alcohol, but it is well balanced and very drinkable for the strength I enjoyed this more than most I have had of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 19:07:43 | More by Slatetank

gustogasmic

Michigan

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

A: pours red-brown, totally translucent but a pretty dark/ saturated shade. Light, fluffy foamy head, no retention to speak of.

S: Toast! Big toast! Very grainy.

T: Big toast once again, with a strange apple butter note and a unique (not yeasty) sort of funk that I can't put my finger on. Tough to describe.

M: Clean and quick, goes down easy. No lingering taste but for a little of the toastiness from the nose.

O: Not very familiar with the style, and I usually appreciate breadiness in beers, but this one tilts the scales flavor-wise. It's not got the biggest malt backbone to carry it, or any hoppiness. This would make a good food-beer, it's light enough to be swiggable and has those robust toastinesses that I think could ride well over salty, greasy stuff. Not for me, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 16:17:30 | More by gustogasmic

Rhettroactive

Virginia

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

From 12oz bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 3/13/12
*From notes

-- Six-pack purchased at Great Lakes Brewery on 1/17/12 --

A: Copper-reddish-amber in hue. A good pour yields a 1.5 finger head. Decent retention, though the collar remains fairly healthy as it fades. Mild lacing.

S: Sweet grains and grass. It really isn't too far off from the way their Dortmunder smells, but it just doesn't "do it for me" in the same way.

T: Big, hearty malt runs from top to bottom. A touch of that patented (and delicious) Great Lakes sweetness lingers too, and it all comes together quite well.

M: Yeah, no complaints here. Creamy and packs the proper weight vs. flavor profile.

O: Another winner from Great Lakes. Their Conway's is my favorite Irish Red, and one I can easily recommend to those looking for a better, unique alternative to Smithwick's.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 21:33:20 | More by Rhettroactive

JCaweinstein

Ohio

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

A very nice deep amber color, crystal clear with some nice bubbles. One finger white head dissipates quickly but remains around the edges of my shaker pint glass.
With some agitation I get a grainy aroma along with some bready yeastiness. The aromas here are more complex than the taste.
This is pretty steady all the way through with a toasted bread flavor which leaves a lingering aftertaste.
It's medium bodied, crisp up front with that toastiness and the lingering aftertaste that isn't completely pleasant.
A nice beer for those cool spring nights but not my favorite offering from Great Lakes. This beer looks very nice and has some aroma complexity and is very steady on taste and feel. I would like to try it again on draft to see how it differs.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 16:24:43 | More by JCaweinstein

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