Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

16.9 oz. bottle, #85864. Pours a cloudy amber with a moderate off-white head that settles into a thin creamy head that lasted through most of the glass and left a thick sheet of lace with each sip. The aroma is extremely light with just a bit of malt and some alcohol vapors detected. Flavor is much more pronounced than the aroma. Malt, molasses, brown sugar, and just a hint of barbecue sauce all up front. The sweetness of the molasses and brown sugar quickly dries out and this beer finishes with a strong alcohol flavor, almost like a lliqueur. Some decent hops bitterness accompanies the alcohol at the end. Medium-full bodied.

This dark amber ale poured with a fluffy beige head and a malgty aroma. Medium body, rich roasted malt flavor with a balancing hop bitterness at the finish.

Tasted this last night. Decent off white head dissipated quickly. Nose was slightly muted, but still exhibited a bit of candied fruit qualitites. Taste was raisins and sherry-like sweetness, although what would you expect from a three and a half year old beer? A little on the sweet side for my personal taste, but definitely a cool tasting experience. I have another bottle of 04 and am dying to taste it next to an 07, or even the 08 when it is released.

Sampled at Delilah’s Vintage Strong Ale fest. Sampled this along with the 99, 00, 01, and 05. Pours a copper color with a soapy beige smooth head. Cherry, brown sugar, and caramel aromas. The body is watery. Sweet malty flavors. Caramels, red fruit, dough. Decent vintage.

2/23/08, bottle samples of vintages 99,00,01,04, and 05. pours copper with off white head. nose is caramel, slight smoke. flavor is vegetal, caramel, alcohol, bitter, doughy, pretty nice vintage.

2004 vintage (bottle 75089), 16.9 oz bottle. Pours a slightly hazy reddish amber with a thin and fizzy head that quickly diminishes to a thin collar.

The aroma is lots of sharp vinous alcohol with some dark fruits and grassy hops.

The flavor is sweet caramel malts and dark fruits with a noticeable alcohol finish. The mouthfeel is medium to full with soft carbonation.

Overall, it’s a decent strong ale, but a little too harsh on the alcohol and sweetness for me.

Bottled. Have decided to drink these vintage ales around their 3 years birthday, and it seems to be a good idea. Dark reddish brown coloured. Unclear. Dense brown head. Prunes, light alcohol, light caramel and some liqourice in the aroma. Flavour is Nutty, has prunes, apple, vanilla, light chocolate and some other ripe fruits. Very smooth and rich. Full bodied. Dry. Is fruity and light sweet with a touch of alcohol on the palate in the end. Very nice. Enjoyed on my patio watchin the sunset over Bangalore, which off course dosn’t make the experience less delightful.

Bottle says best before end of 2007. About 3 years old. Poured into a snifter, the color is a murky brownish red. The head consists of swirly white lace. The aroma really knocked me back. Very rich sweet fruity malts with some potent but manageable alcohol. The flavor is starkly different. Infinitely smooth and luxurious. Fruity, caramel, candy, and a beautifully unique character. This is a really sexy, elegant ale.