Fullers Vintage Ale 1999

Formerly brewed at Fuller’s
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

Serve in English pint, Trappist glass

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Bottle Conditoned, number 21,308. Served at 14.5°c, into a Fuller’s branded glass. What better way to celebrate this milestone of 300 beers with the highest rated beer from my favourite brewery? Or so I thought…. The problems started soon after my first sip.. there was a certain whisky character, and I really hate whisky. I managed to drink half of it, before it overcame me and I had to pour it down the drain. I don’t think it’s to do with the alcohol content, I can drink Duvel like water (same ABV), and have sipped and enjoyed far stronger beers than this. I’m upset, as I really wanted to enjoy this, but I just couldn’t.

Red deep golden colour with an off-white head. Aroma is licorice, alcohol, berries. flavour is licorice, malt, alcohol, oxidation, hop, caramel. Full body. Nice beer.

Bottle 7504. Clear-to-muddy chestnut with a creamy beige collar that shrinks to a slick. Well-behaved, conditioned, hugely drinkable beer wafting with vinegared batter, sake, cocoa-dusted dankness. Deep and textured with a silken, dank, cocoa and aniseed-dusted sake..something about it. Tempura river fish, sherry, star anise..develops a distinct, mildewed, oriental sweetness; muscovado, Grottenbier. It would be sacrilege but I want to marinade some pork or beef in this. Had my reservations, but as 5K beers go it’s more than worthy; a deep, luxurious experience that’s got me thirsting for some more vintaged English. If only the whole portfolio was aged for 13 years.

Bottle. Slightly hazy deep mahogany, nose brings syrup, a little wood and medicine, touch of coffee, palate has old wine, a little coffee and chocolate, some phenol, dry fruity finish with woody hints.

50 cl bottle @ KBF.
Rated on 20101126.
Copper color. Aroma of ripe fruits like plum, malts and caramel. Flavor of caramel malts, ripe fruits and raisins.

Bottle at Chriso’s Fullers-Gales Tasting. It pours clear deep red-amber, with a thin off-white head. The nose is wood, leather and some sweet, sticky fruit. The taste is wood, dust, leather, golden syrup, honey, spice and toffee, with a bitter-dry finish. Full body, moderate carbonation and a thick, slightly cloying mouth-feel. Fairly straight forward actually. Nice enough, but perhaps too sweet.

Bottle care of Chris O. Hazy tawny amber. Nose is alcoholic, bit raw, marmalade, sherry, sweet and malty. Taste is very soft, no hops or bitterness, orange marmalade, fruity, sweet barley malt, and some subtler tangerine notes. Overall it’s soft and very sweet and possibly too cloying.

Huge thanks to GT2 for providing the opportunity to try this mini whale! Nose and flavor were rife with candied orange and caramelized sugars, molasses, date, plum, and hints of cardboardy oxidation. Palate was oily and slick. Seemed a bit past it’s prime, but still nice and so cool to try.

hazy chestnut, large bubble white ring. Nose is tea, oak, bit of pepper, dates. Flavor has more dates, candy, brown sugar, tea. Not as dry or integrated as nose, soft coating body, lightly oily.

550mL with a big thanks to anders37. Pours murky mahogany with a medium, yellow, barleywine head. Decent retention. Nose is toffee, orange mint, sharp tawny barleywine character: fruit cake, fermented raisins and plums, red licorice, muted alcohol. Shaper mouthfeel and finish with obviously hoppiness. Never getting too sticky sweet. Slight slickness in the finish. Nice stuff. Reminds me more of American barleywines.

Thanks GT! Murky brown pour with a thin beige head. Lots of brown sugar and port in the nose with dark fruit and severe oxidation in the flavor. Cardboard and toffee big time. Rich palate with low carbonation. Very cool to try this.