Seven-Time Medal Winner since 1995 in the World Beer Championships, Conway’s Irish Ale is a mild, malty beer with a rich copper hue. When you first crack it open, you’re met with a sweet bready/cracker aroma. Taste is slightly sweet as well but not sickly like I sometimes find with malty beer. Also, slightly earthy with a barely-there bitter herbal taste on the end. To be honest, I liked it less the more I drank but I can see how it would be an easy drinker for those partial to malt and caramel profiles. 

I did really like the color of it; a beautiful rich mahogany/ruby tint. Head was very thin and disappeared quickly… almost film-like.

But now onto the interesting bit 😉   

Northern Brewer

A dual-use hop developed at Wye College in 1934, Northern Brewer has been used in breeding a number of hops including Perle, Viking, Saxon, and others. Known for its woody and slight minty profile, it’s common in European beers and ales such as Lambics and Porters.   

Mount Hood

In 1983, an Oregon State University breeding program was initiated to create an American hybrid that held the same characteristics as European noble variety hops of the time. Released in 1989, Mount Hood was the first product of that program. It has a light sweetness, almost honey-like, and mild herbal notes of fennel and tarragon 

Willamette 

A hybrid of the English Fuggle hop, Willamette hops are named for the Willamette Valley in Oregon where the majority of hops are grown in the state. It is considered a pillar of the US hops industry with complex, spicy characteristics of herbal and floral notes giving it a nice earthy aroma.

Check out Great Lakes Brewing Company and be sure to pick up a 6-pack or crowler from your local businesses. 

Cheers ~ Steph

Sources
“The Hops List, 265 Beer Hop Varieties From Around The World” Complied by Julian Healey