Fullers London Pride (Pasteurised)

[Sampled in 2005.] Really an enjoyable beer at that day. Used it as an ingredient in an almondcake which the kids swallowed in seconds. Lots of doses of anything which is good for a london porter. Sweetness and softness. Hops!

I had this in a chilled bottle at a local restaurant. The bottle/label combination is one of the handsomest I know, a rugged brown bottle with a simple, traditionally English-style label. (Yank micro-brewers, take note!) The head from my bottle was relatively thin and sank quickly. The body was a dark, tea-like amber, better than that description sounds. Aroma was slightly fruity, almost cider-like. The flavor was rich, round and warm, a mixture of bitter and sour elements. It’s on the hoppy side but very well balanced. It really grows on you as you drink it. Palate OK, I’d like to try it at room temp to see the difference. The kick is pretty fair, stronger than you’d expect from something listed at 4.7% ABV. This is one of my favorite beers, ideal for a cold day at a football match or a long Transatlantic flight (I first drank this on a plane--thanks BA). Fuller’s brewery hits another one for six; do these guys ever make a mistake?

Amber. Hoppy aroma, slight hint of fruit. Feels quite dry, flavor has some nice maltiness to balance the reasonable bitterness. Long finish leaves you with a touch of malt.

Bright amber in colour, small white head. Bi hop aroma, well balance hop and malt mouthfeel. Malty flavour lingers in mouth for ages.

Alla spina al Bar America (si chiama così?) vicino a Piazza Banchi - non ho presente il nome del viottolo. Versa colore ambrato/rossiccio con schiuma non molto abbondante ma compattissima e bellissima a vedersi; naso inizialmente abbastanza pungente e indistinto, poi si staccano dal resto i luppoli molto aromatici che in bocca, uniti alla dolcezza del malto, danno un sentore di... zuppa di pomodoro condita. Corpo leggero e frizzantezza un po’ elevata per i miei gusti; però comunque sopra l’ordinario.

Can. Medium orange, little head. Aroma faintly of caramel and some slight resin and floral notes. Flavor matches, with a nicely balanced bittering finish. Not bad, better than I recalled, with a nicer hop flavor.

Great bitter. Very light beer, but very hoppy as well. A bit caramelly like the ESB, but not nearly as smooth drinking. Nice carbonation, very subdued and balanced. Excellent session.

Nice malt and sweet candy taste and enough hops to balance. Really nice balance and one of my favorite Fuller’s beers.