Grays Irish Ale

Brewed by Grays Brewing Company
Style: Irish Ale
Janesville, Wisconsin USA

Date: 08/07/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

Appearance: hazy amber, wispy off white head, bits of lace,
Aroma: sweet caramel malt aroma with light earthy hops,
Flavor: sweet caramel malt flavor, lots of butterscotch adds to the sweetness,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 9/20
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

12oz bottle. 12oz bottle. Poured a dark orange color with an averaged sized head. Aromas of caramel, a little earthy and toasted malts. Tastes of caramel and toasted nuts. Thinner body.

Not too bad. A single-fingered head caps its reddish amber body. The nose is fruity, cherries and apples, with caramel and a faint florlal hopping. The flavor is limited to the fruits and malt, the hops seeming to fade out of sight... but I didn’t expect much bitterness for the style. Quite drinkable.

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Dark orange amber color with a lighter tan head. Aroma of pipe tobacco, light toffee and malt. Very malty in flavor. Really something to chew on. Slightly sweet, mildly toasty, and a light alcohol finish. Leaves a nice malty after taste. I’ve had this before, but this seem better than prrevious batches.

Bottle. Pours coppery brown with ruby egdes and a 1-figer off-white head. Aroma of caramel malt, some red grapes, and some nuts. Medium to light body, with flavors of caramel malt, almond, and vinous fruit.

The is caramel and malt on the nose. The taste has a little molasses and sweetness. However, this does not turn me off, like the other reviewers. Lots of malt. A nice light, spring beer. A light brown, clear color.

Bottle and served in yet another ye olde pint glass: Reddish hue with some small floaties (WTF this is bottle conditioned?) and a fading white head which left some lace. The weak aroma does show some basic caramel, toffee, bready and pale, nutty malts along with a dash of spearmint leaves and a heather and flowery ester. The taste is mildly malty at first but quickly moved towards a mild roast and herbal midsection. The finish is sadly musty but could be a product of age. A bland but quaffable mouth feel. What can be said about an generic "Irish Ale" other than been there, done that.

Picked up a single 12-oz bottle from Flanagan’s Liquors in Appleton, Wisconsin as "Gray’s Irish Style Ale." Pours a clear reddish amber brew with a thick and creamy off-white head. Nice lacing! Aroma of multi-grain malt with even a touch of dry rye, some grassy hops and some toffee. Taste is medium bodied, some little carbonation with flavors of caramel malt, some fruity character and mild spice hops. Finish has a good balance of malt and mild bitterness. Actually, this is a pretty decent Irish Ale.