Great Lakes Brewing Company Conway's Irish Stout

“Fig Newtons on the aroma—crumbly, slightly toasted, soft crust wrapped around some chewy, sweet figs. Cookie dough in the flavor creates a thick mouthfeel and decadent quality. Caramel sweetness, chocolaty depths, mysterious dark, jammy fruits combine to create a fascinatingly complex beer with layers of cookie goodness.”

**Aroma:** “Rich chocolate and cocoa. Nice sweet malt character with some esters. Light toffee, dark cherry, a little musky, pleasant roast, some burnt husk character. Coffee, chocolate, and toast malt aromas dominate.” **Flavor:** “Nice roast profile with some acidic bitterness. Coffee, chocolate, and cocoa. A little light bodied compared to the nose and missing a touch of mouthfeel, though otherwise balanced. Dry finish is a little surprising after the big chocolate nose, and roasty bitterness lingers. A little tart in the finish, which is refreshing.” **Overall:** “Nice roast character with sweet creaminess. A good profile of the chocolate and cocoa. It’s a subdued and approachable stout that one could drink in great quantities and still retain one’s dignity. Very much what an Irish stout should be.”

Fruity coffee dominant nose with some citrus hidden deep beneath. That coffee dominance continues on into the flavor, where the hops play a supporting role. Really refreshing, chocolate, creamy, coffee flavors with tropical and citrus hop flavor underneath. There is enough body here to make it work without getting in the way of the star of the show. Very clean for all of the flavors, you can pick them out individually, yet they are harmonious too. The sum is more than the parts here, a very bold take on an IPA and executed to perfection., Wow! Coffee in your face!. Amazing coffee aroma and a follow up with straight up coffee taste. Definitely not what I would expect from an IPA, much less a light colored appearance. There is an assertive sweetness that is balanced by a smooth and well rounded fruity bitterness. I want to keep coming back for more to experience the amazing experience going across my palate. Mind Boggling good!!