Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

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

Bottle # . Pours a clear but very dark orange red, light glow, with a medium frothy bubbly grayish tan head. Aroma is strong oxidized malt, fruit, toffee, some integrated alcohol, nuts and figs, hint of chocolate. Flavor is delicious and much fuller than the aroma, chocolate covered toffee, lightly buttery, dried dark fruits, hint of grass, warming alcohol, pecans, fantastically aged, mellowed wonderfully, nuts and cherry aftertaste. Surprisingly not cloying, medium sweet and rich with a fair amount of bitterness. Medium bodied, creamier full mouthful but doesn’t feel heavy at all, smooth, viscous without stickiness, still has the perfect amount of carbonation, spread-out med/large tingly bubbles. The oxidation is fantastic.

Bottle courtesy of ericandersnavy. Clear orange pour. A fair amount of apple juice tart. Taste is slightly tart with decent. This has lots of nice flavors and a finish that leaves it sweet/sour.

2004, bottle 91923. Beautiful glowing, fiery amber with a thick eggshell-colored head. Aroma of apple, floral hops and dark fruits. Flavor has notes of caramel, toasted malt, plums, raisins, hops, brown sugar and smooth alcohol. Pleasantly sweet, lingering bitter hop finish. Medium body, smooth texture and subtle carbonation. Seems a little too light on the palate for this style. Good head retention. Overall, a very nice beer.

16.9 oz bottle. Clear honey brown with some beige fuzz. Nose is maple and caramel but more prominent wood and acetone. Very smooth with a slight sour tang. Taste is toffee, candied lemon peel and sherry. Dry, papery finish with a grassy bite. Kind of interesting, a little thin.

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.

Bottle # 70307. Sorry ClarkVV about rating this before the trade, but I found a stash. But I still want the one we were working on for the trade. Anyway, orange and clear with a white head. Hoppy, fruity, and malty for the aroma. I am talking apricots here people. Flavor is rich and malty, with lots of those Goldings hops coming through in hop flavor and bitterness. This is what I wanted to find out. That is: what is this brew like without oxidation. Which to me is near perfection. If you like English style brews, this is a prime example of all English ingredients coming together in an assertive brew. I do not hink this will age very well, and will seek to drink all I can get my hands on, so don’t ask for a trade, and don’t ask me to spare any. Go find your own source. I know it sounds selfish, but I don’t think that you will appreciate such a fine masterpiece, so screw you.

Pours a deeper amber color with a tan head. Strong malty aroma, some raisin and caramel meld well with some of the alcohol. Flavor is pretty sweet up front with some brown sugar, caramel, raisin, a touch of smoke followed up with some bitterness in the finish. Full bodied, some alcohol present, but the amount of it was kind of pleasant. Quite a hearty ale, it should age very nicely. Thanks for the gift mr_kimchee.

Bottle No. 48583. Bright, clear amber w/ thick, creamy beige head. Sweet, lightly fruity (orange marmalade?), freshly hoppy (dewy pine) aroma w/ caramel, vanilla, & a touch of earthy wood. Full-bodied & chewy feel. Sweet black licorice & molasses dominate the flavour w/ is also fruity (raisins, dried prunes), vinous & peppery. Finish is alcohol laden & quite sharp w/ a dry, almost roasty bitterness. This brew is still a little young and needs to mellow a bit.