Fullers Old Winter Ale (Cask)

(Jan 2008) Copper-red in appearance with a short head. Some carbonation. Very dry finish yet quite sweet. Aromas of roasted nuts and a biscuit malt end.

13 Jan 2008 a pint poured at The Carpenters Arms, Bransgore, Dorset. Same pour and look as the bottled version, although the head was smaller and did not last long. However, this was altogether a different beer. It was nowhere near as tasty as the bottled version and seemed somewhat thinner. It was a bit of a let down, really. This is what I had to say about the bottle: 15 Jul 2007 Bottle 500ml. A satisfying aroma of malts, nuts and dried fruit. Pours a lovely copper red with a good tan head. Lovely flavours, with the malt and hops shining through and blending well with nutty, fruity flavours, and a hint of deep roast coffee. A good full body and good carbonation. Smooth on the palate with delicious lingering tastes. A fine strong ale from Fullers. Good all year round. So, bottom line is to go for the bottled version every time.

(Cask at Gallows Bird on 2008-01-26) A red-brownish colour. Medium head. Roasted malts in taste. Nothing special.

Cask, Thomas Rigbys, Liverpool. Dense amber colour. Malty caramel aroma. Very rich and heavy. Almost christmas puddingesque. Pretty good.

Cask. Deep amber colour with mediumsized slightly off-white head. Lacing. Aroma is sweet malts, some roast, caramel, mild spices, nectar and wood. Flavour is the same with some mild licorice and dry dark fruits. Wellbalanced and pleasant.

Cask (handpump) @ The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham B2, UK. Clear medium to dark amber color with a average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white head. Aroma is moderate malty, roasted, caramel, dark fruits, moderate hoppy, earth, peat, light licorice. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter with a long duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. (120108)

Cask (Woolpack, Vantaa) Rich ruby, small head. Complex aroma - dates, pipe tobacco, woody too. Tempted to say I can even recognise the aroma of the London water that’s so distinctively Fullers’. Very soft in the mouth. Huge woody nutty taste - leaves a long finish. Dry, but not drying. Excellent dark ale. They could afford to increase the horse-power a bit (high 5s-low 6s) with such a glorious taste and make it a real winter warmer.

Cask @ The Banker & Barrow Boy. Brown / amber colour with small white head. Caramel aroma with an earthy / fruity edge. Taste is caramel / hops / malts. Finish is dry.