Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

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

I had a few of these sitting in the cellar so I figured I’d see what one tasted like fresh. Bottle # 65862. Poured a dark amber color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, fruits and hoppy. Caramel stronger in the tastes. Sweet with a hoppy balance. It will be interesting to see how the hops fad in a few years, but as is, I enjoyed this one.

Wonderful mahogany colour with a very thin head.Incredibly rich treacle toffee flavour,sweet & smokey palate.Extreamly good beer,I really enjoyed it!! Im going to lay one down to sample in a few years time.

Big thanks to Slob for this one. Very aromatic sweet malts and fresh baked goods. Rich dark amber color with a pinky thick head. Creamy malt and fruit flavors. Hammenlind mentioned almond and I get that too, but it is like almond extract as you might find in baked goods as I expereince it. Alcohol is noticeable, but only as an amped up sweetness and slightly medicinal/oxidized flavor in the finish. Great sipping beer.

Sampled in 2006. Redish in color. Malty and sweet yet kindof dry. Cherries and grapes. A little green hops - nice.

Bottle, No. 48339. I first had this when it just came out and I thought it was just O.K. but this beer is meant to be aged. A year later it’s now time to try this puppy again. Pours a clear slightly bubbly dark copper with a big creamy tan head -- looks as good as an Ale can look. Lovely aroma of caramel malt, yeast, alcohol, dark fruit, hops and more. Flavour starts sweet with caramel malt, brown sugar and dark fruit and ends with a mild hop bitterness -- tastes wonderful. The alcohol is still a touch too much, give it another year or two and this will be just about perfect. An excellent Strong Ale that will only get better, I sure am glad I have more put away.

good sweet honey aroma, good blend of hops and malts, has a bit of a roast malt taste, a very solid brew.

Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 01-31-2007 17:04:20 2004 bottle consumed 01/30/2007. nice ruby red color with a nice white head that faded quickly. The smell was very nice and reminded me of raisins or plums. The taste was very complex and difficult to pick out exact flavors but fruit came to mind. The mouthfeel was smooth and the drinkability was awesome. I really can;t tell the difference between an old ale and a barleywine. I thought this was an English style barleywine. Anyway, I have a couple more bottles of this and I will probably not crack another until 2010.

4th August 2008. Bottle 94057. Very complex aged ale. Caramel dominates the start but there is also a nice sherry flavour. A little milk chocolate in the mid plus red fruit you would find in a decent vintage port. Sumptuous and tasty.