Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

Formerly brewed at Fullers
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

500 ml bottle poured a clear amber with a small lasting light amber head. Aromas of raisins, figs, apples and molasses. Palate was fulll bodied and warming. Flavors of dark fruit, molasses, some earthiness and toffee with a smooth warming lingering sweet finish.

Nose is rich with treacle and figs and a hint of sharp yeast. Pour cloudy amber with a resistant head that nonetheless produces good lace. Flavour is rich and sweetly malty with a gentle bitterness at the end - much like a more refined Golden Pride from the same brewer. Aftertaste is lingering fresh and sweet. Carb is perfect. I think if I grab another of these to cellar for maybe two more years, it would be nigh on perfect.

What an ale! This botlle does not come cheap but is an experience to taste. A cloady, redish colour and not much foam. Fruity, complex aroma with some caramel.

2004 Bottle from the Wine Guys in LaCrosse, WI. Pours muddy tea brown with off-white head that fades quickly. Aroma of caramel, molasses, dark fruits, dates, roasted malts and earthy hops. Flavor masks the alcohol very well and compliments the aroma perfectly. A bit too-much of a honey-yeast presence in the flavor for my tastes, but a definite must-try!

2004 vintage, number 83339 of 95000, from a distinctive Fuller’s shaped brown bottle with a nice blurb about the old ale, pouring instructions and a suggested best before date, 2007, on the back label, served at cellar temperature. Made a good appearance, poured a hazy reddish amber with a frothy pale tannish white head that settled into a thin lacing. Had a nice raisiny, figgy, malty nose with the Fuller’s honey yeastiness and whiffs of sweet, spicy alcohol. A smooth, crisp, creamy medium bodied mouth feel, exceptional drinkability. Dark ripe fruity maltiness, an gentle earthy, dry hop bitterness and a warming spicy alcohol presence on the tongue, a honey yeastiness in the middle and a earthy bitter and sweet malty finish with a lingering warmth from the alcohol, just plain delicious tasting. An exceptional Old Ale by any measure, very recommended, a must try for any beer lover.

While I found this beer to be drinkable AND enjoyable, I think that it really has much more potential and more room to grow. The aroma of dark, ripe fruits and sweet caramel malts were a nice touch. The flavor provided a sort of odd smoky, earthyness with a celery salt finish. Odd, I know but it was still tasty. Overall, enjoyable but once it matures in about 4-5 years I’d really like to see what it can do.

Bottle. Gift from my friend Tony. Sour grapes aroma. Not pleasant. Grappa? Beautiful, hazy, dark, reddish amber body. Creamy off-white tight bubble head (almost cask-like). Initial mouthfeel is somewhat like it smells but alcohol and fruit come out. Improves a little when the sediment is poured into the glass. Maybe needed a few more years of aging. Some caramel, some chocolate. Disappointing. Too dry and has that Sam Adams Triple Bock thing going.

Pretty beer, deep ruby with a creamy tan head that lasted nicely. Aroma was apple, a touch of caramel, and some lightly bitter hops. Flavor matched. Opened up a bit as it warmed, with the apple receding and the caramel moving to the front. Touch of toffee as well. Not a bad beer, but I’m not totally sold on its aging potential. Seems a bit too medium bodied and lacking complexity to pull off but so much time in the bottle.