Fullers Vintage Ale 2007

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

Botle No, 50646

1/30/2008: Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2007 has a hazy orange color, thick and creamy beige head, dense lacing. The aroma and flavor are malty and the flavor has quite a bit of chewy fruitiness from the Marris Otter malt. There are some floral undertones and brandy alcohol flavors as well. The body of this beer is medium-full and is is very smooth and creamy.

1 pt. 0.9 fl. oz. bottle (Alc 8.5% vol). Rating #224 for this beer.

50 cl bottle, purchased at Systembolaget a while back. Bottle no 37602. Tried on July 18, 2009
Hazy copper color, small off-white head. Perfumy, grainy, alcohol scent, also some dried fruits. Hoppy, fruity, caramel, alcohol taste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium hernal bitterness.

500mL bottle thanks to Tupalev, big thanks Jeff! I was going to put this one off for a while, but alas, I just couldn’t help myself. Pours a hazy ruby with a big, but quickly dissipating rich khaki head. The aroma is complex bliss, sharp hop character, pineapples, caramalt, and an almost sour yeasty aspect to it which is very intriuging. Nice! Flavour is even better, caramel candy sweetness all the way through with faint Brit hops adding a bit of balance. Subtle biscuit aspect is in there too which I really like. Minor toffee, smoke and tobacco flavours show up as it warms. Very thick and chalky feeling which I like, feels ’big’. Yeasty esters abound with a dry finish. This is a fantastic beer. Bottle # 05117.

Bottle: The aroma consists of fruit, caramel, and some faint spicy citrus hops. It pours a slightly hazy amber with a small soapy off-white head. The flavor starts with some light-moderate fruit and caramel. The finish has some moderate spicy hoppiness with some oxidation. Medium bodied with somewhat lively carbonation.

Floral, earthy, lightly spicy hops balance well with round caramel malt character in the nose. Clear copper coloured body is topped by a low but lasting, fine bubbled, cream-coloured head that leaves very nice lacing on the sides of the glass. Round malty profile offers caramel, toffee and honey which is complemented by floral, earthy, lightly spicy hop flavours. Bitterness is pronounced without overpowering. Some fruity esters linger in the aftertaste. Medium body with assertive yet soft bubbled effervescence. Bottle #32186 sampled at the Fuller’s vertical tasting session with uhlan.

Bottle #104960 - saved for my 1500th rating. Brilliant golden orange colour with a thin fading white head; rich vinous raisin aroma; similar vinous flavours with raisins and orange; the finish has cane sugar and noticeable alcohol. Another fine vintage, perhaps not yet at its best.

"Bottle #30941 Clear copper body with an off white cap that is quickly disappearing, this is not the look a was expecting I was hoping for something darker more thick looking maybe I’m slightly disappointed. Aroma is very yummy, wood, mild pine, some alcohol, a cherry/grape (I can’t decide which it is)smell is over all very sweet but on deep long inhales a bitter coffee is noticeable. Flavor is nice and rich, oak, some tasty alcohol, lots of cherry and just the slightest hint of pine. There seems to be a mild hint of chocolate in the finish. Its tasty and of high quality it maybe didn’t live up to my expectations of it but I would gladly drink again.

I will be very interested and how this one taste in a few years. Smells of sugar and plum with some raisins. Pours Amber hue with a little head. Carbonation was ok but the finish was very smooth and this beer is borderline full body. Apples, plums and raisins upfront.. Yeast, warming alcohol, some hops on that back.. not too bad.. I might age one a few years