Fullers 1845

Brewed by Fullers
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

Had bottle of this beer in Cambridge, UK in Dec 2006. Clear copper-ruby with a one-finger head that leaves a nice frosting. Aroma of spicy toffee cake with orange zest. Flavor is earthy caramel with orange, toasted nut, and some spicy apple and wood. Just enough roast to give a nice coffee-cocoa, orange and oak aftertaste. Medium body is smooth, slightly watery in a good-drinkable way and has a dry finish. The best British beer I found in two weeks in England! Apr 2008 update: bottle purchased in Atlanta, even better than I remembered, upped from 4.2 to 4.6

Bottle. Pours is brownish amber with some nice settling. Aroma is malt, bitter and hint of alcohol. Taste is malt, with a nice body. The alcohol is not present, though there is an earthiness in the back of the taste.

Looks and acts like a quality ale. Bitter but not overpowering. Good contrast creates a beer that is full but is still malty and mellow at the same time.

Very pleasant strong ale that seemed to become richer and smoother as I drank it. I’m sorry but I don’t’ find the finish near as ’bitter’ as several of other tasters are commenting. I would definitely drink this again.

BB8/8/07. Bottle pour produces a burnished mahogany body with very few bubbles and lumpy ecru froth. Scents of buttered, blackened toast, along with caramel, sawdust, marigolds(Fuggles?), and a compost/apricot brettanomyces character. Grapey-peachy, cane sugar, and tannic flavors. Dry, with a nut brittle finish. There is a faint vegetal characted, but not strong enough to be considered a flaw. Body on the thin side, yet witha sticky, creamy texture. Peppery and moderately bitter aftertaste. I seem to remember it having more malt sweetness and "farmhouse" funk in the past.

Bottle. Clear copper red with a thick head that disappears slowly. Aroma is rich fruity malty with a slightly roasted touch and some spicy and earthy hops. Quite dry with a light sweetness and a firm and long bitterness. Lovely!

Unique yet restrained from nose to aftertaste. Well balanced. Nose is a funky fruitiness but not off putting. Mouthfeel and aftertaste are assertive but not numbing. There is a candied spicey edge to this but is not cloying, which baffles me. Pale Malt (mix of Pipkin, Maris Otter and Halcyon), crystal and amber malt. Goldings hops.

Pours a dark red brown with a large fluffy off-white head. Aroma of grapes, sour fruit, bread and toffee. Somewhat herbal, and pretty complex. Caramel and toffee hit the tongue first, followed by the fruit flavors and slight funk mixing in, as well as a bit of roast. Finishes even more roasty, woody, and dry. A bit spicy in the finish too, but not overdone with nutmeg, thankfully. Mouthfeel is med with good carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel. A good mix of fruit and toast. I respect this brew, but I don’t think it’s my thing.