Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2000

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

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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I probably took the first few sips when the beer was bit too cold. Highly carbonated and acidic. Pretty harsh until...it warmed up a little. Although not as good as the 1999, the 2000 has a strong hop bitterness finish. Maybe this should have been aged a little bit longer.

Head is initially large, frothy, white, mostly diminishing. Body is clear medium amber, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (toasted light bread, caramel), moderately hoppy (citrus - grapefruit, pine), moderately yeasty (dough), with notes of peach, honey, and alcohol. Flavor is heavily sweet, moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, heavily acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, syrupy texture, lively carbonation, moderately alcoholic. It’s much more citric and acidic than the ’99 or ’01, definitely more yeasty, and just in general not as refined.

Dark amber in color, clear and a ’Humongus’ beige head, that last quite long, sheets of lace coat the glass. Large malt nose, slightly floral, caramel. Very sweet at the front, the top is medium to full, the finish is nicely hopped, the 8.5% abv certainly will warm ’Yore Inards’. Personally I appreciate the large hop bite, the alcohol warming, in a ’Vintage Ale’, it is to be expected.

Very large head, which disipates rather quickly. Starts out very assertive - perhaps a bit to young. Warms up fairly well with significant butterscotch and lighter fruit flavors. Not as good as the 1998 effort, but still a good pour.

2000 vintage (sampled Xmas 2001). This beer is an essay in balance. The aging has made this perhaps the most balanced ale i’ve had in some time. Golden with a HUGE head. Very malty aroma and flavor that is balanced by a perfect hoppy dry finish. Just a beautiful ale.

I’m drinking the 2000 version, and the comments from the reviewer above is spot on: Pours with light carbonation(didn’t get much of a head)starts out with a metallic aroma that dissapates with time, with great Goldings/Maris Otter nose(sorta toffee-ish in nature), taste is smooth and malty, finish is silky smooth, not agressively warming and significant lingering of hops evident.Pity they only made 30K for 2001. I suggest ageing for no less than a yr. to get the best outta this brew. Outstanding.

2000 vintage. Somewhat acrid, vinous nose; fluffy georgeous head. Not terribly complex as old ale/barley wines go, though it may have still been a bit young at this tasting. Sweet, with a dry, nutty taste. Good, but not amazing.