Fullers Vintage Ale 1998

Formerly brewed at Fullers
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

Bottle #19876, BB "End 2001". Poured medium caramel with a thick initial cap of beige head.. receded to a loose-bubbled topping. Aroma held up just beautifully.. deep, lightly-smoked caramel, dried floral hoppage, subtle port wine, and perhaps some rum.. one of the best smelling beers I’ve ever come across. Lightly-smoked, toasted caramel again at the flavor’s core.. some sharper rum and port tackiness at the edges.. tasty, but lost some character to old age. Syrupy on the palate and a touch slick... warm finish. Really enjoyed this one.

Had this in conjunction with 99, 00, 04, and 05. This was my favorite. Lovely woody aroma. Nice and chewy. No head. The flavor is sweet and chewy but not overly thick and alcoholic. Lovely caramel and sherry characters.

Bottle, consumed in May 2006. A bit over the top I’d say. Oxidation is apparent. Liquorice comes through on the palate and the depth of fruit seems to have receded. This leaves something woody, a touch harsh and sweet at the same time. Should have perhaps drunk this earlier but I was hanging on to it for a suitable occasion to share with the Danes.

Pours a slightly murky color of ruddy amber with a full layer of creamy beige head. Fruity aroma thats saturated with an incense of strawberry sorbet, and sherried raisins. Fantastic sweetened fruit sugars that melt together like a delicate whipping cream rather than a concentrated syrup. Medium bodied, crisply carbonated mouthfeel that shows absolutely no signs of unpleasant aging. Remarkable. There’s even a little British hops spice left to kiss the tongue at first contact. Reddish to dark fruity flavors that land somewhere between raisins and strawberries. A little brush of pepper spice tickles the tongue as well. Creamy flavors that remind me of a whipped strawberry yogurt without the lactic traits. A touch of brandy and a brush of toasted oak without the dryness. Some strawberry rhubarb pie, lacking sourness, and finishing with a final smack of hops and wood, making their presence known softly. Amazingly constructed brew.

Forceful aroma of rich, spicy old muddled raisins with cognac and pints of fresh cold farm cream. This blends into a succulent, fruitcake yeast waft. Yum! Deep orange-hued tan sienna, with bronzed fringes and a creamy soap of ivory. Flavor is along the same wonderful threads as the aroma, with bright, fruity cream malt and lots of aged raisins and currants. Fresh, wild strawberry shortcake syrup highlights. Continuing with loads of toffee, blueberry muffins, and freshly minted caramel. Light salty edges. The malt character yields into a mash of spicy, bready yeast character, mellowed with time. Bright lemony hop flavor remains distinct lightly in forefront of flavor, but mostly as British-type grass smack. No age problems, whatsoever, time has only significantly helped this beer. This beer is the epitome of excellence for me, with each character standing strong, yet allowing others to show when it’s their time. First the creamy malt, then the caramel aged fruit sweetness, then the yeast, then the hops and all swirled around a graceful, binding and absolutely desirable alcohol. Wow.

Bottle (Thanks to chris_o). Sweet raisin and caramel flavours. Some light port sherry qualites. with some more dark fruit towards the finish. This has a very nice long flavour, but i couldn’t help but think it may have been sligtly passed its best, as there was a slight oxidised characters which popped up every now and then.

Bottle #40415. Deep copper-amber in colour, long lasting beige head, great lace. The aroma still has lots of caramel, some ginger, wood, earth and chocolate. The flavour was peaking, caramel malt sweetness, christmas cake, dark fruits, brown sugar abd raisins. Think mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation, Finishes with a lingering bitterness, creamy.

Bottle no. 14221. Pours a clear copper color with an excellent off white head and lacing. Mineral/earthy, grass, and malt in the nose. Pleasant earthy malt profile in the flavor with notes of leather and caramel as well. Good beer.