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

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I see a bright yet deep ambery/copper. Very little head, but a cool column of tiny bubbles spewing from the bottom center of the glass. Very uniform. The aroma is a pretty inviting baked then quickly toasted, old fashioned white bread. It just smells warm and comforting. The first sip is great toasted malts, bread with a smooth light caramel finish. The palate is very upfront, nt a lot of stuff lurking in the shadows. No real nuances. Just great malt and a hint of caramel. Very easy to drink beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 00:52:45 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

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

You know for a guy who apparently loves kickking back macro brews in his spare time, this brewer really does a bang-up job for Great Lakes (And nothing against having a few Macros, I just expect brewers to be pushing the envelope not dumbing things down on their spare time)....No dumbing down with this beer (or any of their beers I've tried)....a high quality red...great toasty aroma...body is medium....the flavor is surprisingly bready....It's great though....some caramel too....the hopping is floral and definitely sits quietly in the background but it clearly plays it's part in keeping thisfrom being too one-dimensonal..

I love this beer and am giving it's drinkability high marks because of that and because it seems very balanced for as swet as it is...This is probably the best red I've had...if not in the the top 5 for sure...clean, crisp, tasty, great nose...Now if only we could replace the 100 or so taps of Killians in my town with this I'd be happy...

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2003 21:33:28 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
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

dirtylou

Washington

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

12oz single, Woodman's, $1.39, best by 4/4/06

appearance: pours a super clear bright amber, glowing almost, very light beige foamy head with no retention, very light lacing

smell: toasted grain, light sweet malt, apple juice, bready, herbal hops in the background, caramel covered apple

taste: sweet apple juice flavour, creamy caramel, toasted grain, sweet thick malt backbone, light herbal hop presence, light astringency, a touch of alcohol comes through in the aftertaste, slightly nutty, biscuit-esque, bready...good, but not great

mouthfeel: medium-near full body, smooth and creamy

drinkability: pretty good

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2006 00:46:24 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tarnished bronze with a healthy pale tan head.
Nose of toffee and earthy malts. Not overly expressive, but appropriate.
Taste begins in the buttery toffee direction, fading to a earthy malt domain that is minimal with the sweetness, except for a few residual caramelly sugars. When cold, there's a fanciful earthy tang that cues at peat. As it warms, more caramel grows, the peat-ishness begins to assert itself midway, and becomes a highlight. Full of earth and tang as the flowery hops enter, more brash than expected, but nowhere near obnoxious.
Medium-light in stature, with tempered carbonation.
I think it is safe to label this the best Irish-style Red Ale I've ventured across thus far.

However, I do believe they missed a vowel in the name. Call this Conaway's Irish Ale, and I'd be inclined to give it 5 stars.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2003 14:52:28 | More by cokes

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Chimay Goblet

A - A red/copper color that looks incredible is sadly overshadowed by the disappointment with the off-white, sudsy head that lingered for mere moments before disappearing into a small ring.

S - The nose is bursting with malty sweet and creamy smelling aromas with caramel hints.

T - Very malty across the palate with a touch of sweetness and a caramel hint. Finished off dry.

M - A creamyness flows across the palate only to be followed by a dry finish. The dry finish, however isn't as prevalent as a normal red leaving the creamyness to distinguish it.

D - For an Irish Red it's certainly creamier and maltier than the standard Red which definitely gives it a leg up in the drinkability catagory.

The Conway's Irish Ale has a good aroma and flavor profile to it with out commanding your attention. I really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 04:57:46 | More by BeerFMAndy

smakawhat

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Best before April 28th 2011, we are good to go baby!

A three finger head off a golden pour. Head is an off cream brown color with tiny bubbles that fall away at a good rate. Very clear body of a burnt orange with some visible carbonation. Leaves a good collar but no lacing throughout the drink.

Bouquet is an interesting airy toasty grassy malt. Man Great Lakes beers smell so dang good. Very unique smelling with some sweet caramel like smell hidden in the back.

Taste is a grass malt backbone, with a small hop profile. Herbal tea like in sensation with grass, but also a little carbonated too. Somewhat of a drying finish also.

Another win for the Great Lakes, it may not be my favorite Irish Red Ale but it's a good one for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 22:08:18 | More by smakawhat

bluejacket74

Ohio

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle says best before 4/12/07. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear amber/red color with a small white head. It smells spicy and malty, and also like caramel and some floral hops. However, the aroma is a bit weak. It tastes like caramel, sweet malt and bread with a nice slight bitter hoppy finish. The mouthfeel is medium, with just the right amount of carbonation and a bit of dryness. The drinkability is very good, this is a nice smooth beer that would be a great choice as a session beer. Too bad this is only a seasonal beer, I'd like it to be available year-round.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2007 00:12:35 | More by bluejacket74

Brent

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A red ale is sort of like a center in football - he never gets noticed as long as he does his job. The only time anyone pays attention is when he fumbles. Likewise, a good red ale seems to be a beer that happily slips into the background, solid and easygoing, and largely unnoticed unless it is bad. Consequently, this beer deserves being singled out for praise for doing quite well what it sets out to do. No screaming hops, no massive malt, just a well-balanced, easy to drink beer. Nicely nutty and smooth, with just enough hops to balance the malt. A tip on the scale toward the sweet side, but just barely. Would be a great session ale, but I fear the abv will sneak up on me.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2004 20:31:00 | More by Brent

alexgash

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
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

tdm168

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - light caramel amber with a thin white lacing of head

S - caramel, some faint apple

T - apple, caramel, fruity esters, faintly bitter, some sweetness

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is a rather simplistic beer. The esters from the yeast provide most of the flavor offering some fruitiness. The malt is prevalent, but it really only adds caramel. This was a nice beer to try once, but this isn't something I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 23:52:44 | More by tdm168

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got this brew in a trade with drgonzo3705, Thanks Paul!

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - clear amber color with a fluffy beige head that left good lacing.

S - toasted malt aroma with a hint of earthiness.

T - rich malty flavored brew with a light hoppy bite right before a sweet finish.

F - medium bodied with good carbonation.

D - it would be easy to drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 20:10:18 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Very nice amber color, pretty dark red with an inch of head that turns to a solid layer of lace.

S - Mostly caramel malts maybe a touch of hops.

T - Pretty balanced. Tastes of tea and hops with an underlying hint of caramel sweetness with a solid bready or gram cracker base. Sweet also. Very nice.

M - Light to medium. Easily drinkable.

D - Wow I have know ales to be either really light or heavy in flavor but this one seems balanced and creamy. ABV is well masked. Another solid offering from Great Lakes.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 03:22:33 | More by DrDemento456

merlin48

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: 12 oz bottle pours a chill hazed, ruby amber body with a tightknit, two finger beige head. Good head retention, and some sheets of lace are left on the glass.
Aroma: Floral and fruity hops mingle with malt notes of toffee and caramel.
Mouthfeel: Light medium body with medium carbonation.
Taste: Toasty and bready malts offer up a good deal of toffee and caramel sweetness, but floral European hops balance well with a moderate bitterness. Some apple peel fruitiness really hits the spot. Clean and even on the finish, with a dry and bitter hops aftertaste.
Drinkability: Probably my favorite Irish Red Ale, I prefer this one to Smithwick's. This would be an excellent session ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2005 19:16:57 | More by merlin48

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into my Founder's pint glass late at night.

Conway has a autumn orange with some faint redness in spots and nooks and crannies. I've seen much redder, anyway a nice light caramel colored head rose about an inch with some burst, not much legs to this. No lacing.

Smells consist of a typical irish red, caramel, small candy vibe, barely smellable hop sense. A boatload of toasted malt. This is fresh and it don't smell that bad.

Taste is simple but bold with the fresh bottle. Caramel and some apple slices dipped in caramel. Toasted malts giving basic bread in the middle. A sweet aftertaste. Hops are not in the picture but sort of keep things in perspective.

A very healthy medium body on this and very sweet, perhaps a bit too much. Kinda reminds me of sucking on a worthers original for a second. This was a easy one to take down, perhaps that's the Irish in me. It's simple, no more no less. I can see this going downhill in the bottle fairly quickly so drink up.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2010 04:52:28 | More by onix1agr

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Served on-tap at the Doubletree Cleveland Downtown Lakeside in Cleveland, OH

A: Pours a clear deep amber in color with some heavy amounts of visible carbonation and light ruby red highlights. The beer has a finger and a half tall dense light beige head that very slowly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of toasted and caramel malts with a hint of toffee sweetness. There are some light fruit notes from the yeast and just the faintest hint of citrus/orange peel hops.

T: Upfront the malts really take center stage with some toasted malt flavors that have notes of caramel and toffee sweetness followed by a slight hint of breadiness (which still has a bit of the toasted flavors). There are light hints of fruit and just a touch of citrus/orange peel hops. Lightly bitter in the finish which does not linger.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: Easy to drink and enjoyable for folks that enjoy the malt forward style (I do). Alcohol is well hidden and this beer is almost sessionable. Pairs well with food.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2013 12:39:01 | More by dbrauneis

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a clear bright red color. The head is one inch in height, and recedes quickly into a small cap of lacing. The aroma is of tea leaves, toast, caramel and toffee. The taste is slightly maltier than the aroma, but still quite balanced. There are some very nice strong tea notes that blend well with the toffee, and caramel of the malt. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation, and a smooth texture. Overall, this beer is really, really good, and spot on for the style. I will certainly be drinking a lot of this while its around.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 20:28:30 | More by KarlHungus

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Appearance - pours a nice reddish amber with great clarity. A finger of light cream-colored foam on top. A few swirls of lace here and there.

Aroma - toasty, powdery grain. Rather light.

Taste - a fine start of toasted malts, a touch of grainy sweetness. Some good balancing bitterness on the swallow. A dry, warm finish. A fairly simple red with great flavor presence and balance.

Mouthfeel - rather smooth, the carbonation is crisp, right where they oughtta be.

Drinkability - a fine session beer, looks like it'll be St. Patties Day all week!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2008 04:55:13 | More by brewdlyhooked13

oline73

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear dark amber color with a finger and a half of tan head that leaves a layer on top of the pour.

Smell: Some bready caramel malt sweetness. Not a ton going on here.

Taste: Again, the malt is really the star of the show. Hints of bread and caramel. The is a very mild spice note. A bit nutty as well.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with delicate carbonation. Dry finish.

Overall: A solid Irish red. I really like the malt flavors. Well balanced and mild.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 21:12:35 | More by oline73

billab914

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Surly pint glass. poured a bright copper color with a thin foam covering that barely covers the beer. It left some pretty good lacing on the sides as I drank it.

Aroma is sweet and malty with some nice apple and caramel scents. The taste starts off sweet with some malt and bread flavors but is somewhat balanced out with some bitterness in the finish. It also has a slightly fruity almost apple juice like flavor to it.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Drinkability is good, it's a very drinkable nicely flavored brew that goes down pretty easy. One of the better Irish Ale's that I have had for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2010 01:42:56 | More by billab914

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle. Pours crystal clear reddish amber color with a foamy 2 finger off white head with very good retention that reduces to a fairly dense lacing cap. Leaves some nice dense lacing on the glass as you drink. Aromas of plum, apple, caramel, bread and spices. The aromas are very strong and smells very malty with a bit of a sour twang to it. Taste matches the nose pretty well: Bread, caramel, some fruits, spices, and a slight amount of hop bitterness on the finish that lasts for a bit. Mostly malt forward, but there is also a fair amount of hop flavor in the brew. Very smooth drinking with very minimal alcohol presence, only some slight warming after the finish. Medium carbonation and body. Overall it is a very tasty brew that has very good drinkability, and it actually reminds me of Christmas Ale in some aspects. An all around solid and tasty brew in all aspects.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 15:33:14 | More by superspak

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -6%
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

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

12oz Bottle

Appearance - The beer pours a clear amber/orange colour with a very large size frothy beige coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for only a few minutes before it began to dissipate.

Smell - malts, hay, grass, caramel, nuts

Taste & Mouth - There is a low amount of carbonation and the beer feels slightly thin on the tongue. Most of the taste consists of malts mixed with some barnyard (grass/hay). I can also pick up on some caramel and a nuttiness. It finishes with a malty barnyard aftertaste.

Drink - This beer just didn't do it for me. I can see how it might appeal to some, but I wasn't a huge fan. I would not seek this beer out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 18:42:11 | More by spinrsx

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

kmpitz2

Tennessee

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ths brew pours a slightly ambered orange color with a finger of head that falls to coat the beer. The nose is not nice. There is a big grainey biscuity aroma, wih a touch of sweetness, but not something that appeals to me. The flavor is okay. There is a big grain character, with a bit of a spicey grain quality. The feel is moderate. As far as irish reds go, this is okay. I'd still take most other styles over this.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2005 01:02:17 | More by kmpitz2