Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2002

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

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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I received this bottle from my Santa Mads, many thanks! The brew poured a rich coppery hue with a lasting off-white head and very good lacing. The aroma starts with caramelized malts, honey, english toffee, vanilla, overripened apple, non aromatic pipe tobacco and a hint of oak. The taste starts with a heavy dose of bittersweet character with both hops and malts in wonderful balance. A vinous almost sherry combined with bourbon overtone hits in midsection. A beautiful oaky and smoky bitterness finished off the experiance. The feel is lush but not as heavy as the 1999 or the 2001. It is peaking it seems and is becoming the equal to the more celebrated vintages of past. Yes, I love Fullers Vintage Ales I case you have not figured it out. This rates right up there with the best. Sampled along a 1999, 2000 (which I am about to rate) and 2004. I want, no make that NEED another bottle. Please!

3 years old
Beautiful amber color. Strong honey aroma, some alcohol. More hoppy than the 1999 version (tasted the same day). Long, bitter final.

Bottled. Deep amber coloured. Big fruity aroma. Sweet, malty and fruity flavour. Complex. Smooth.

UPDATED: FEB 17, 2010 2010-02-17, 7 years old, 7-4-7-4-14=36
Beautiful amber color, strangely hazy; the head is quite thin, but creamy and persistent. The aroma is malty but also alcoholic, nutty, with light bitter almonds. Good body strength, the mouthfeel starts getting a bit oily; the malt flavor turned into cookie dough and marzipan; still strong bitterness, but also the alcohol can be clearly perceived. Tired beer, not worth ageing more.

2005-04-01, 2 years old, 8-4-8-5-16=41
Beautiful copper color, reducing head. Very malty aroma, very light Bourbon vanilla. Good body structure, a bit oily, quite thick; really malty; nuts (wallnuts), a lot of caramel. Incredibly harmonious. Very long final, malty and honeyish; knocks you out!
The carbonation and the young age makes of it, still, a partially aggressive brew (but excellent).

sampled 04/2005, thanks to fiulijn - clear pale red-amber colour, the foam quickly disappears, very malty aroma, nuts and bread, cherry, full-bodied, sweet and oily, very bitter, dry and long malty finish - looks quite raw and with a huge potential

mmmm... Aged 3 years to perfection.....Pours an amber/brown hue with a light tan head. Aromas of old hops, bitter, a little tobbacco. Flavors of the same.

Bottled: Clear amber coloured. Light brown head. Fruit, light almond and light chocolate in the aroma. Flavour of alcohol, fruit and some berries. Is quite smooth. Ends on an alcholnote. Should have waited 1 more year with this.

Once again i am indebted to the great man from the other side for this one. let me know if i can commit some sort of violent act or something for you mark, i owe you as do a few other grateful north texas beer lovers. pours a red hued brown with a bubbled light head. sweet aroma with a nice grassy hop note. taste is sweet and slightly smokey malt, not smokey robinson smokey, but it is there. wonderful sweet bread finish. a wonderful beer.

(Bottle) Pours an amber body with an off-white head. Aroma of hops, sweet malt, and a hint of spoiled vegetables. Mild flavor of malts, caramel, cherries, and toastiness.

Poured hazy amber with a thin tan head...smell is warm and oaky...very nice...taste is sweet with caramel following up with some nice pepper...greatness....