Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2011

Formerly brewed at Fuller’s
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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Standard boxed bottle from State Line and Capone’s. Pours hazy copper with off-white head. Nose is similar to all the others I’ve had; some caramel malt, brown sugary, dry vinous fruit. Tastes caramel malty, on the dry side, with an ESB flavor profile and a decent hop level, but not to the level that I so desperately crave from a beer such as this, as such. I’m starting to think these are all style and little substance, and that Fuller’s owes me punitive damages for jerking me off all these years with vintage beers that are overpriced and underwhelming.

Aroma: closed, not very aromatic. Some sweet malt with ovaltine and raisin. Flavor: sweet malt orange peel. Hint of bitterness on the finish. Comment: A total waste to drink this at 1 year of age. Needs 5 years to start gaining complexity.

Bottle shared by bhensonb. Pours reddish copper with a foamy beige head and a red malt and grape aroma. There is a smooth and subtle smoked malt flavor with a nice armagnac finish. Very well-crafted.

Bottle 118649. Pours a hazy burnt orange with a half finger if fine off white head. Settles in minutes with thin lacing. Aroma is toffee, malty, sweet, hoppy, plum. Flavor is rich and malty up front, caramel, with pleasant hoppy, bitter finish, bitter malty aftertaste. Very well balanced hop and malt, good alcohol masking. Alcohol aroma really comes out as it warms but it remains fruity and drinkable, hiding the alcohol well. Moderate carbonation, medium body, and very smooth texture. Was quite impressed with this beer, especially for the price. A much better offering than standard fuller?s.

Bottle, thnx to Secret Sinterklaas, shared with deanso. Pours a lovely clear dark orange beer with a small, off white head on top. Aroma has hints of dark fruits, caramel and even some light alcohol, all heavily based on a strong malted background. Flavour is full, sweet, heavy molasses, sugary and alcohol does not return here. This is a full bodied, sweet yet easy drinkable beer. Alcohol stays nicely hidden in the flavour. Great beer!

50cl bottle from MrHangover shared. thin creamy white head. Clear amber pour. Lovely brew. Caramel in the aftertaste :-)

500 ml bottle. Clear amber body with a nice off-white head. Not too strong aroma dominated by caramel malt and a hint of dry fruit. Flavor is smooth, sweet malty, caramel, fruity and moderate but balanced bitterness. Medium body and good aftertaste. A very nice and balanced smooth beer.

50cl bottle thanks to Nustu. It pours an amber/orange with a decent head and a slight haze. The nose has really floral honey. The taste is more honey and perhaps with a crunchy hobnob thing going on. The palate is really elegant with a creamy texture and a medium body. Overall, a good beer.

Bottle. Gift from Neko-chan. Notes from tasting session. Plums, raisins, and sweetish malty nose. Slightly harsh initial. Drinkable. But this one was too young. Needed some age.

Bottle No. 9945 Pours Amber Gold with a foamy head. Nose of butter tarts, heavy alcohol and fun. Flavours are built around caramel, bitter hops, soft sweet chewy malts and some young meaty sour notes. Will try again soon. It’s coming along very well.