Vintage Ale
Fuller's

Vintage AleVintage Ale
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From:
Fuller's
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
Old Ale
Ranked #11
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
93
Ranked #3,154
Avg:
4.19 | pDev: 10.74%
Reviews:
721
Ratings:
1,390
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 08, 2024
Added:
Feb 20, 2002
Wants:
  138
Gots:
  323
First released in 1997, Fuller's Vintage Ale is an exceptional beer, only available from Fuller's as a limited release of individually packaged and numbered bottles and will improve for many years to come, like a fine wine or whisky. It can be enjoyed immediately, or Fuller's recommends laying the beer down to enjoy when it peaks in 3 to 4 years and consume at cellar temperature. When the time comes, expect a deep amber pour with notes of sherry and Cognac on the nose, and rich, complex flavours that hint at toasted grains and sweet cherry Bakewell Tart.

1998 - Champion Alexis malt and Champion Northdown hops.
2001 - Maris Otter barley malt.
2002 - Golden Promise malt and Goldings hops.
2005 - Fuggles hops.
2006 - Fuggles and Super Styrian hops.
2008 - Maris Otter barley malt and Northdown and Challenger hops.
2011 - Goldings, Organic First Gold and Sovereign hops
2012 - Goldings, Sovereign and Target
2013 - Pearl Malt.
2014 - Goldings, Liberty and Cascade hops.
2015 - Maris Otter barley malt and Target, Northdown, Challenger and Goldings hops.
2016 - Nelson Sauvin alongside classic British hops.
2017 - Denali, Laureate, Target and Goldings hops.
2018 - Maris Otter Barley and Crystal Malt. Ernest and Olicana hops along with a classic combination of Target, Goldings, Challenger and Northdown variety.
2019 - Pale ale, New Zealand Gladfield Crystal, Chocolate malt and Target, Goldings, Northdown, Challenger and Wai.iti hops.
2020 - Double Roasted Crystal malt and Jester and Godiva hops.
2021 - Pale, Caragold and Roasted Crystal malts with Target, Endeavour, Olicana and CF 182 hops.
2022 - Pale ale, Carigold and Double Roasted Crystal malts. Target, Bramling Cross and Emperor hops.
2023 - DRC® (Double Roasted Crystal malt) with Opus, Archer, and CF185 hops
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Ratings by wagenvolks:
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Reviewed by wagenvolks from Texas

4.08/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
[2004] - 4.5/3.5/3.5/4.5/4.0; Total 3.75/5.00

#85618 out of 95,000. Poured into a Delirium Tremens tulip.

The '04 pours with a gorgeous, ruby-cranberry body and crackles as the light khaki foam slowly builds. Head retention is surprisingly excellent for the age and ABV. Notes of browned apple flesh and slightly tart apple peel, while the background drops aromas of fig, raisin, plum, and bread pudding.

Interesting flavor, full of semi-medicinal sherry notes and a hint of oxidized cardboard. Still, the sweetness from the malt is still kicking, as is a tinge of musty hops in the background. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and the under-carbonated medium body is reminiscent of cask-conditioned ale. Not a bad vintage, but the aging process has taken its toll. Time to drink 'em if you got 'em for the 2004.

[2005] - 4.5/4.0/4.5/4.5/4.0; Total 4.30/5.00

#72233 out of 95,000. Poured into a Corsendonk tulip.

Fantastic appearance, with a glowing, tawny-amber body that supports a healthy tuft of bubbly custard head. Superb retention and lacing, and a carbonation trail can be found piercing the clear body of this Old Ale. Nose is crisp and malty with a healthy dose of fruity yeast esters. Not as much oxidation as the '04, as the sherry notes are dominated by English toffee, butterscotch, and gooey caramel aromas.

The flavor of the 2005 vintage has also held up nicely to the rigors of aging, and drapes decadent notes of caramel, vanilla pudding, rum, and sherry across the palate. Absolutely delicious, and the flavor profile improves as the beer approaches cellar temperature. Mouthfeel is creamy and lush, with a snap of carbonation and spicy back-end thanks to the alcohol notes. A fantastic, old Old Ale, and even though the 2004 didn't hold up as nicely, I'd be willing to bet that the 2005 Vintage has a few more years left in its tank.

[2006] - 4.0/3.5/4.5/4.5/4.5; Total 4.28/5.00

#71319 out of 100,000. Poured into a Ranger Creek tulip.

The '06 Vintage shows somewhat of a lighter, copperish hue in comparison to it predecessors. Body is relatively clear and carbonated, with a sizable cap of creamy khaki bubbles forming up top and leaving behind attractive rings of lacing. Aroma has the traditional English yeast esters alongside fruity notes of apple, raisin, and cranberry. A hint of vanilla and buttery toffee lurks in the background, but is far less pronounced than the 2005.

The flavor, however, does not disappoint. Far from it, with rich notes of toasted toffee, nuttiness, caramel-coated apple slices, leather, herbal hops, and a kiss of booze. Oxidation is nowhere to be found. Body is creamy and slightly sticky with a noticeable, yet mild carbonation level. Finishes smooth with a medicinal hint. The 2006 Vintage had me worried at first, but in the end it came through, enough to give the '05 a run for its money in terms of flavor and feel.

[2007] - 4.5/4.0/4.0/4.5/4.0; Total 4.08/5.00

#125937 out of 150,000. Poured into an unmarked snifter.

Excellent appearance, with a pumpkin-mahogany body partially hazed by yeast. With somewhat of an aggressive pour, the manila head builds well to an inch in height before slowly settling to a thin veil of bubbles. Lacing draped all across the glass. Aroma is fruity with citrus flesh and apple peel; a spicier note than the previous Vintage Ales, with subtle hints of cinnamon and allspice. Malts smell succulent and suggest layers of toffee, chocolate, and caramel.

The 2007 Vintage is a juicier version than its older counterparts, with smacking notes of apple cider, pear, caramel malt, and a dusting of English hops that add a bit of flavor and bitterness on the finish. Mouthfeel is slightly sticky, medium-thick in body, and velvety smooth all the way through. Lower carbonation level than some of the others (save the 2004). Overall, a tasty batch of Vintage Ale. Not quite as impressive as the '05 or '06, but on-par with them and certainly better than the bottle of '04 I had.
Jun 29, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 5 by RBorsato from Virginia

Mar 08, 2024
 
Rated: 4.28 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Feb 17, 2024
Photo of 2beerdogs
Rated by 2beerdogs from California

4.09/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2005 Bottle
Notes from 12/2011
Feb 01, 2024
 
Rated: 4.23 by Supper1

Jan 29, 2024
 
Rated: 3.84 by Dethark from England

Jan 16, 2024
Photo of Humanusfermentum
Rated by Humanusfermentum from Virginia

3.91/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
{2018 Vintage Ale}
Aug 21, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by Long813 from Canada (ON)

Aug 14, 2023
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Review 3000!

Enjoyed at the end of 2022
Bottle no. 143884

Pours a wonderful caramel-burgundy with a thick layer of cocoa colored foam on top. The aroma is fantastic, with layers of stone fruit, plummy jammy raisin with hints of dark chocolate, leather, and tobacco on the end. The sip follows, creamy, with a lingering finish. Subtly sweet, with an effervescence that keeps it lively. A delightful sipper. Utterly fantastic.
Dec 30, 2022
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

4.66/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Had 2010 bottle that has been cellared 12 years. At last I finally got to try this one, only took coming to London itself! Pours dark brown and murky with a short lived tan cap. Nose has a sherry note to it, the wife say cognac, either way this sweeter booziness is met with caramel, oxidized apricot, date, barley, and leather. Taste adds a bevy of dark fruit, golden raisin and a kiss of fresh cut hay on the end with the old yeast. So luxuriously smooth, sneaky light, quenching, and dry with a whisper of resin. This one is special for its style. Paired wonderfully with a pub sunday roast
Sep 16, 2022
Photo of MadMadMike
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France

4.21/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2019 vint, bottle 06240.
Poured at fridge temp into a snifter.
There’s a casual head that lasts only a little while. Color is dark amber.
Smell is sweet malt, stone fruit, light caramel.
Taste is cherry-ish, sweet toffee. Hops are evident, but balance well within the overall profile. No real bitterness to be found.
Feel is light carbonation, smooth.
Overall, despite being bottle conditioned, I can’t imagine that anything else would develop by cellaring this beauty any longer. It’s packaging, presentation, look, feel and taste are spot-on right now.
Aug 12, 2022
Photo of robotic_being
Rated by robotic_being from Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2016 Vintage drank in 2022. Amazingly rich flavor and solid carbonation. Complex and delicious!
Jul 27, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by FadetoBock from Canada (AB)

Jul 17, 2022
Photo of ChrisCage
Reviewed by ChrisCage from Canada (AB)

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2021 Vintage, bottle #139563....

A- Pours a lovely orange hued dark bronze color, is semi opaque, and the head, which is about two fingers thick, shows a shade of creamy white with toffee infusion. The carbonation appears to be somewhat mellow, with only a few columns slumbering there way upward, with the lacing showing rather well and stickily. I am being painted a grouping of cave art like animals around the inside of the glass....very nice looking overall!

S- Heavy malt profile here, with plenty of caramel/toffee sweetness, dark fruit flesh, such as plum and fig richness, various citrus nuances (tangerine, blood orange, grapefruit, pomello), and a sweet alcoholic nature, of rum soaked raisins. The finish has some interesting fruity bitter hops, which would explain what I read about the experimental CF182 variety being used here....I even detect some pineapple tropical like aromas on the end!

T- Very well balanced overall, with a wonderful blend of toffee/caramel malt sweetness, rummy raisin/plum/fig richness, slight orchard fruitiness. After I get through all of this, my palate is hit once again by a second round of malt bomb....full of sweet cooked brown sugar, dark toffee, molasses, sugarcane, and dulce de leche. The finish showcases some very British flavors found in traditional pale ales.....zesty citrus peel, tropical fruitiness and dry leafy herbal tones, quenching the palate and leading me on to want more!

M/O- I,ve enjoyed aged vintages from Fullers before and this is the first time I've had one right after release....I have to say that I am impressed with the overall flavors and richness for something so "fresh". The carbonation is smooth and allows the full flavors to release onto the palate gently, while the body is somewhere in the medium-full range. The alcohol is incredibly well hidden and soft for an 8.5% brew, but I don't believe this would be something with a high drinkability factor....one is plenty in a sitting. I appreciate the usage of experimental hops and the attempt to create something unique, which I think fits the bill here.....overall this is an exceptional English style Pale Ale, and would become a great Old Ale after several years of aging!
Jun 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.35 by Hawkfish from Washington

Jun 05, 2022
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Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This one isn’t hog wild - and it isn’t supposed to be. But what I feel, what it does to me is remind me of a gentle moment. A moment with her; not the one that was meant for me, but one that still gave me that night and made me feel. I’ll always remember you, baby, even if you aren’t in my trophy case.

Be well, my children.
Mar 18, 2022
Photo of Alieniloquium
Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida

3.39/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 mL bottle. Vintage 2020. Pours murky amber. Smells of... cardboard right off the bat. Spicy hops with some berry fruitiness behind it. Deep caramel undertones. Tastes of sweet caramel with a combination of spicy and, again, berry fruity hops. Cardboard isn't as noticeable here, as it's got a pronounced hop bitterness. Still has a little bit, though. Medium heavy, fairly sweet. Not boozy, but hits hard after a few sips. I picked this up because I haven't seen one in a long time. My memory of this is fonder than the current experience.
Feb 25, 2022
Photo of steverx8
Rated by steverx8 from England

4.34/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2021 vintage excellent
2017 vintage
Feb 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.34 by kodt from Illinois

Feb 02, 2022
Photo of bmaslakov
Rated by bmaslakov from Russian Federation

4.37/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Teste licorice, smoke, sweet pastry. Smells berries. Light carbonation, small head. Color is cloudy black tea.
Jan 11, 2022
Vintage Ale from Fuller's
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 1390 ratings