Fullers London Porter (Bottle/Keg)

Bottle, shared with macadem. Pours cola brown, with a thick, wispy off-white/pale tan head that laces passably. Nose is chocolate malt, a hint of smoke. Palate is much more evolved, luscious and generous, plenty ofo cocoa, dry amltiness, smoke, licorice. A very very open and forgiving, and delicious porter.

Dark, dark brown--only a touch of light shines through (and it appears ruby in color). Dense, one-finger beige head. Great, thick ring lace on the glass. Delicious nose of cocoa and cream. There’s another element that I’ve yet to identify, but it is attractive and drawing. It’s almost like burnt toast or a mild smokiness. Now that I’ve identified, I really notice the smoke, although it is subtle (not like a rauchbier). Some burnt biscuit with a dollop of whipped cream. The swallow features bitter chocolate and touch of cherry. Wonderfully complex. If there is a moderation of the excellence, it would be in the body--modest with an above average level of carbonation. The aftertaste is more cocoa. Simply a wonderfully complex beer--exceptional!

16 oz. can. Pours black with a thick, creamy light tan head. Aroma of sweet chocolate malts. Flavor of the same chocolate malts, sweet crystal malts, a touch of hops. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Kind of bland overall, just a boring porter. 7/4/6/3/13 Ɠ.3/5)

(bottle from waitrose, wymondham) Pours almost black with a large, bubbly off white head. Smell is smoky with coffee and chocolate - very appitising. Nutty malty taste with fresh hops adding a light balance. Bitter coffee and plum very well blended and tasty. Quite drinkable.

Pours out a dark tawny, but appears black in the glass. The bone white head retains well and leaves some spotty yet slippery lace. The aroma is rich and smokey. Lots of roasted malt, pipe tobacco, some brown sugar and a hint of coca. Initial taste is sweet and robust. Kinda watery mouthfeel, but very flavorful.

Bottle. Poured almost black in color with a big brown frothy head that diminished slowly with nice lacing. Aroma was of a mix of chocolate and coffee malts with a scent of cookies. It tasted of coffee and chocolate with a hint of brown sugar. The aftertaste was nice and smooth and lasted quite a while which I did not mind. Mouthfeel was creamy and full bodied with the flavors blending together very nicely. Overall an EXCELLENT porter.

An immediate combination of sweet caramel and dark roast malt is very welcome. Good underlyingsharpness. Ruby tinge just discernible in the darkness. Always a pleasure to see on the shelves.

This is how I feel a UK Porter should be. I was underwhelmed by another "famous" British porter, but the Fuller’s brought back my confidence in this style. Rich chocolatey flavor, superb head, and remarkably enjoyable. No doubt I will be having this again! 55F in the can.