Fullers London Pride (Pasteurised)

Brewed by Fullers
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
London, England

One of the best British ales available, no doubt. Brown amber in colour, nice creamy head, moderate hops and malt, easily drinkable. One of the best session ales out there. Agree with other comments that it is better from a cask. Hats off to Fullers.

Huge off-white head on a amber brew. Sweet floral aroma (chamomille, roiboos and apple) with much maltiness. It is so smooth and low carbonated that is hard not to gulp it down in thirst! And what a taste, a fine bitterness on an impressive malt base. One of my favorites.

My favorite English soccer team--West Ham United, of London’s East End--came up painfully short in the FA Cup final Saturday. It was a bitter loss, but also a day that left all Irons/Hammers supporters full of immense pride at their underdog side’s brave performance. Hence, it was a perfect day for Fuller’s London Pride. This is such a classic example of its style, there really isn’t much to say. Its caramel-malty aroma and golden copper-brown appearance are extremely inviting. Again true to style, its flavor and body are perhaps a little on the thin side, but extremely drinkable and balanced, with a straightforward hop bitterness slightly more assertive than the caramel malt background--although the maltiness becomes more noticeable as the beer warms. The only thing really limiting this style-defining beer is being served in a bottle; this refreshing, lightly carbonated, but deceptively flavorful session brew absolutely demands being served traditionally cask-conditioned.

Cooper color with a nice white head. Aroma: Fruits, malt, hops, citric. Palate: Caramel, citric, hops.

Bottle. Copper colour, very minimal head. A bit fizzy taste with aromas of malts and fruits. Aftertaste is nicely bitter. A very good beer.

Bottle. Pours an amber color with small white head. Aroma is fruity, fresh hop and malty. Flavor is malt and fruity notes. Not so bitter. The body is very smooth and well balanced. I like this beer.

Bottle 500ml. Another winner from Fullers. Pours a deep golden colour with a medium white head. The aroma was of spicy bread pudding with hoppy floral notes. It has a distinctive Fullers flavour which, I guess, is down to the type and mix of hops they use at Chiswick. Slightly thinner than Fullers ESB and not as sweet but this is a very smooth and drinkable ale that keeps the taste buds working, always looking for more. A very good session beer and at 4.7%ABV, there’s no reason to stop too soon! I am told that the best way to enjoy a pint of London Pride is to go for half cask and half bottle. I will definitely try this next time I’m up Chiswick way.

Smell: I’m never very good at picking out aromas and having a cold didn’t help on this one. I do however remember a sweet malty fragrance. Appearance: Pours a light golden brown color. Not much carbonation. What head there was from the pour quickly dissipated. Afterward some little lacing was noticeable. Taste: A wonderful mix of malt and hops in what I consider almost a perfect balance. Also a nice fruitiness is present with a little bitterness in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel: A nice medium bodied beer that becomes rather filling after a few beers. Not too much carbonation to get in the way of the flavor. Drinkability: I would drink this beer all day if I could and whenever I see it on tap I have a hard time trying something new.