Chicagoist's Beer of the Week: Great Lakes' "Conway's Irish Ale"

By Karl Klockars in Food on Mar 11, 2011 10:30PM

We have been informed that within days, people all across the country will be engaging in activity that's irresponsible, dangerous, and potentially damaging to certain internal organs. Our research tells us that it's some sort of observation of, and celebration for, an ancient Christian Bishop named "Patrick" who is specifically linked with Ireland. How this relates to cheap off-color beer and mid-morning alcohol induced vomiting*, we'll never know, but we do know this: This year, you can do better.

Great Lakes Brewery of Cleveland (not the most "Irish" of towns) turns out a solid, yet under-appreciated, seasonal offering of an Irish Ale known as Conway's. A quick whack of the Chicagoist servers with the Google stick turns up that we actually first suggested this a couple years ago during a conversation about GL's Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, and we stand by our initial assessment.

Conway's is a smooth-drinking 6.5% ABV ale that pours brownish-orange with a quickly dissipating off-white head. It's sweeter than you might expect, and lighter, too - this beer is almost too easy to drink as it warms up, which doesn't strike us as being a problem. Malty and toasty with hints of black tea and just a hint of coriander, the Conway's is far preferable to just about anything else you'll see people drinking at 10a.m. on the 17th.

You can find Conway's at a few places around town, but we grabbed ours at a place that knows a thing or two about being Irish, the Grafton Pub. On special for $4.50 a pint, start your day with two of these and an Irish Breakfast and you'll be well on your way. It ain't no Jameson's poured into a Shamrock Shake, but we think you'll be happy with it.

Suck it, Guinness. Conway's Irish Ale is Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."

*Raise your hand if you miss the South Side Irish Parade.

Still thirsty? Continuing beer coverage takes place daily at GuysDrinkingBeer.com.