Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

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

4yr old bottle. Tasted at Sean and Ryans party, and compared against 2000 and 1999. Everybody, including myself, prefers the 1999. I think they are similar though. I think the 1999 by chance has held up a bit better than the 2000. Darkest amber color of the 3. Mildly sweet and malty. Pretty good.

Dutch Ratebeer Gathering. Sampled in 2007 (3 years old). Clear orange-brown coloured, thick lasting head. Obvious apricot in aroma, malts, liquor-notes (but not whisky-like like the 2006), hint of apple. Some vanilla and sweetness towards the end. Finishes alcoholic, bitter with some sticky sweetness. Somehow missing complexity compared to the other vintages. Thanks jbrus for sharing!

Bottle # 86722. hazy amber. heavy yeast, cherry, and caramel aroma. a deep nose. Neutral flavor at first, then sweet and sour cherries, oak, caramel malt, and slight hops finish off the palate. Medium bodied. Very quaffable.

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.

Nice fluffy head. Slightly citrus nose. First sip is slightly citric as well. Not bad, but I can see where this will do well with age like the others.

(on bottle...hahaha)No. 34914. Just had to try it so early and it does really need some hardcore cellerering, no doubt. Has lots and lots of all those dry fruits, balsamico and pepper. Verystrong alcohol-chock in the mouth, this is too much for now. Long finish, witch includes liqurice and cardemomme. Those boxes are gonna look so good on the shelves.

(Bottle at Pikkulintu, Helsinki, on 2009-08-29) Deep reddish brown and clear. Small white head. Raisin, malts, dried plum and sweetness in aroma. Full bodied and dry palate with medium carbonation. Malts, raisin, lightly sweetness, bitterness, hint of roastedness and dried plum in taste. Malty, dry and bitter aftertaste.

Bottle number 00574. Clear amber with a steady beige head. Hoppy, fruity, sweet and malty aroma. Lively on the tongue, rich, full bodied and malty; sweet caramel flavours and lots of hops, with an excellent hoppy bitter finish. Alcohol makes its presence known, but is not overpowering. Excellent.