Fullers Vintage Ale 2008

Brewed by Fullers
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

I always love these vintage Fullers, but I always prefer them after 2, 3, even 4 years. This one is a bit new. It looks great ... clear dark copper, small head, great lacing. Nose is malty, fruity, mango or peach maybe, though even without Reinheitsgebot I’m pretty sure that there is no mango or peach in this. Mouthfeel is that of a big barleywine, which, of course, this is. Only place for improvement is the taste ... a little hot with alcohol, a little, well, unbalanced. But give it time and this could be one of their best vintages ever.

500 ml bottle from the LCBO. bottle # 69085. pours deep orangish/brown with a small off white head. poor retention and no lacing. sweet barley malt aroma with back hopping. the flavour was reminicent of a young light barley wine. its well put together but not very big or complex. this is a good ESA and the alcohol didnt show but it didnt blow me away. decent but i wont be stocking the fridge for $8 a bottle.

Amber colour with a decent white head. Lace clinging to glass to the very end. Malt, oak in the aroma. Liquor, whisky like notes. Rich fruity flavour. Syrupy texture. Strong malt finish. Slick ale and maybe a hint of spice. Quality ale and just what I wanted at the time.

Bottle shared by gethinbeer. Deep amber-orange beer. Aroma is lovely. Loads of orange marmalade character. Soft crackery maltiness with a litlle bit of light sweetness. A little bit earthy with a touch of honey and light fruity esters. Chewy and sweet with a nice orangey sweetness. Light earthy bitterness.

Bouteille de 500 ml acheté au LCBO de Rideau et King Edward (Ottawa), en décembre 2008. Cuivrée claire, pas de collet. Arome d’orge malté licoreux, houblon sucré. Goût pas mal la même chose, avec une finission réchauffante. C’est très bon, j’aurais du en acheté d’autres!

Bottle from waitrose at home. Alround rating: full on malty fruit cake body, peppery alcohol, brandy hints from the alc, honey raisin like meadness, great carbonation, tasty and awsome stuff.

Coppery brown body with tinges of red and minimal lasting head. Light malty aroma, sweet, hints of the alcohol and then some dried fruit then hops. Taste is fairly smooth but just thought it would have a bit more guts, notes of caramel, mainly malty sweet but hops is playing a ood supporting role. Could age well but not for too many years in my opinion.

Bottle (No. 125498). A rich copper brown color with a light foamy off-white head. Strong fruity caramel, toffee, and wood flavors with a nice crisp bite and a lingering bitter caramel finish. A bright nutty and caramel aroma with mild alcohol and a hint that it could have been barrel aged.