Great Lakes Brewing Company- Conway’s Irish Ale: Typical Irish Ale

I am getting ready to be flooded with brews upon the return of my friends Tracy & Adam and I have to get to work reducing my current inventory.  So many brews, so little time.  Damn, I wish I could make this a full time gig, a man can dream can’t he?  So let’s cut to the chase, this evening’s challenge will be Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Conway’s Irish Ale.  Unbeknownst to me, this brew is considered a winter seasonal and I’m hoping that it isn’t out of date and that I can celebrate Christmas in July.

Great Lakes Brewing Company classifies this brew as an Irish Ale and their website briefly describes Conway’s Irish Ale as, “A malty Irish ale with a notable toasty flavor derived from lightly roasted malt.”  The neck label on the bottles continues, “Like the very popular Pa Conway (the owner’s grandfather who was a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy) the toasty flavor of our Conway’s Irish Ale makes it a real “meat and potatoes” kind of beer.  Or environmentally speaking, an “all natural, locally raised meat and organic potatoes” kind of beer.”  Conway’s Irish Ale is a World Beer Championships Gold Medal Winner.

Conway’s Irish Ale pours a clear copper color with a ½” tan head and a malty & bready aroma and is 6.5% ABV.

I have to say that I have never really been blow away by Irish Ales.  There seems to be something about the style in general that lends itself to being rather “meh”.  As far as Conway’s Irish Ale goes, it’s a rather typical Irish Ale that seems to blend into the crowd.  Don’t get me wrong, its way better than Killian’s but then again, Killian’s is not a great measuring stick for the style.  The flavor is both malty and bready with only a small hint of sweetness.  I was really hoping that Conway’s Irish Ale was going to prove me wrong on my general opinion of Irish Ales but unfortunately it didn’t.  If you’re a fan of Irish Ales, you’ll probably like Conway’s but if you’re a fence sitter like me, it may be worth a try but I wouldn’t go out of your way to do so.

ABV: 6.5%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Six Pack

Great Lakes Brewing Company- Conway’s Irish Ale: I Think I’m in Love with a Red-headed Irish Lass

What makes a beer an Irish ale? Well, if your from my family, it might make you drunk enough to punch your little brother in the mouth at your best friend's wedding. Don't worry I was the best man.  Yup, I’m Irish and that is how we roll.  Great Lakes Brewing Company describes this as a “Meat and Potatoes kind of beer,” and boy-oh-boy they are not lying. This beer deserves its gold medal, from the World Beer Championship.

This dark amber, sunset reddish ale pours with a thick white head and a sweet light aroma. The malt flavor stands out in this powerful brew. It is strong, clean and unforgiving. There is nothing but pure beer flavor here. It is brewed under the Bavarian Purity Law, which means it can only be made, with barely, hops, yeast and water. I’m not going to go into too much detail about this beer’s flavor. You must try this beer for yourself. I will be coming back for seconds.  

 ABV: 6.5%

 Consumed: Pint Glass

 Verdict: Buy A Case!