Fuller's 1845 | Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
Brewed by:
Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
United Kingdom (England) | website
Style: English Strong Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.30%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by kbub6f on 09-16-2000
Reviews: 694 | Ratings: 1,098
3.02/5 rDev -26.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Comes in light auburn, a little bit of haze to it, but the lace formation at 3/4" and retention were impressive. So basically what it lacks in color/clarity it makes up for on top. Aroma, . . . what hops?
This has got to be the weakest strong ale of all time. Comes off more like an English pale ale. Has some of those mild brown malt notes, Burton type yeast, old earthy noble hops, wood, toffee & tea stuff going on.
Expensive format, would not repeat.
★ 462 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Comes in light auburn, a little bit of haze to it, but the lace formation at 3/4" and retention were impressive. So basically what it lacks in color/clarity it makes up for on top. Aroma, . . . what hops?
This has got to be the weakest strong ale of all time. Comes off more like an English pale ale. Has some of those mild brown malt notes, Burton type yeast, old earthy noble hops, wood, toffee & tea stuff going on.
Expensive format, would not repeat.
★ 462 characters
3.51/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Fuller's 1845.
I've only had a handful of beers outta these lovely Brits but only because I don't see many of them around here. This is my introduction to the English style of Strong Ale and I trust in these guys to lead me correctly. No big intro here, let's drink it.
Look - From an odd shaped bomber hard poured into a pint glass. This brew pours a deep,deeeeeeeep amber/ruby/ garnet hue with an initial two finger off white head that is exceptionally thick and pilowy in consistency. Depth of the coloration ensures only a faint amount of light can penetrate. The carbonation appears to be about moderate. Head leaves immediate pillowy stick amongst a slow descent into the swill. Head retained well throughout the drink and left a ton if sticky lace.
Smell - The bottle is more than correct when it states there will be notes of fruit cake. That is basically the entirety of the nose, along with some nutty factors as well. No point in going on a drivel here, it smells how the bottle says it will smell. However, now that the beer has warmed there is a nice dark baked bread aspect as well.
Taste - The flavor profile on this beer is almost dubbel like minus the HUGE cherry flavor I tend to get from those beer. Dark baked bread though with a bit of the cherry though it doesn't dominate. Minimal hop level. Sweetness is on the lower end of medium. Not a massive profile, but it is pleasant.
Feel - The feel on this brew is very creamy due to the retention and thickness of the remaining pillow of froth, however the overall body is pretty watery with quite a bit or carbonation. Flavors turn sweeter as it sits. Swallows quite sweet with dominating fruit cake.
Overall - This was an alright beer but to be quite honest my overall enjoyment of it was about average. Was a lot like a toned down dubbel and that isn't a style I particularly care for. I guess it would be nice on a cool fall night around a fire, but too little for the dead of Winter up North. I doubt I'd buy again, but would drink it if handed to me. Completely different than the American counterparts..
★ 2,083 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Fuller's 1845.
I've only had a handful of beers outta these lovely Brits but only because I don't see many of them around here. This is my introduction to the English style of Strong Ale and I trust in these guys to lead me correctly. No big intro here, let's drink it.
Look - From an odd shaped bomber hard poured into a pint glass. This brew pours a deep,deeeeeeeep amber/ruby/ garnet hue with an initial two finger off white head that is exceptionally thick and pilowy in consistency. Depth of the coloration ensures only a faint amount of light can penetrate. The carbonation appears to be about moderate. Head leaves immediate pillowy stick amongst a slow descent into the swill. Head retained well throughout the drink and left a ton if sticky lace.
Smell - The bottle is more than correct when it states there will be notes of fruit cake. That is basically the entirety of the nose, along with some nutty factors as well. No point in going on a drivel here, it smells how the bottle says it will smell. However, now that the beer has warmed there is a nice dark baked bread aspect as well.
Taste - The flavor profile on this beer is almost dubbel like minus the HUGE cherry flavor I tend to get from those beer. Dark baked bread though with a bit of the cherry though it doesn't dominate. Minimal hop level. Sweetness is on the lower end of medium. Not a massive profile, but it is pleasant.
Feel - The feel on this brew is very creamy due to the retention and thickness of the remaining pillow of froth, however the overall body is pretty watery with quite a bit or carbonation. Flavors turn sweeter as it sits. Swallows quite sweet with dominating fruit cake.
Overall - This was an alright beer but to be quite honest my overall enjoyment of it was about average. Was a lot like a toned down dubbel and that isn't a style I particularly care for. I guess it would be nice on a cool fall night around a fire, but too little for the dead of Winter up North. I doubt I'd buy again, but would drink it if handed to me. Completely different than the American counterparts..
★ 2,083 characters
4.15/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Fuller's pint glass.
A - pours deep mahogany with a thin off-white head
S - Smells of caramel malts and fresh toast
T - Brown bread, toffee, cascade hoppy finish with bright golden notes and boozy overtones. Leaves a bit of a coppery aftertaste
M - Smooth, with quite a bit of carbonation
O - The flavour is quite different than what I am used to and was even a bit difficult to identify at first. However, it is quite nice and really grows on you.
★ 463 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Fuller's pint glass.
A - pours deep mahogany with a thin off-white head
S - Smells of caramel malts and fresh toast
T - Brown bread, toffee, cascade hoppy finish with bright golden notes and boozy overtones. Leaves a bit of a coppery aftertaste
M - Smooth, with quite a bit of carbonation
O - The flavour is quite different than what I am used to and was even a bit difficult to identify at first. However, it is quite nice and really grows on you.
★ 463 characters
4.2/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L - dark brown colour filled with tiny bubbles going up and with almost no head
S - caramelized malts and floral hops
T - great taste, a big roasted malt flavor then hop bitterness with a grassy taste then wooden taste. The malts and hops make it like a thing between the gingerbread and the fruitcake
F - Really smooth feel with perfect carbonation
O - a great beer quite nice for the season. Really balanced and enjoyable! I really like the hop presence between the malts. That's what I like about english ales!
★ 519 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L - dark brown colour filled with tiny bubbles going up and with almost no head
S - caramelized malts and floral hops
T - great taste, a big roasted malt flavor then hop bitterness with a grassy taste then wooden taste. The malts and hops make it like a thing between the gingerbread and the fruitcake
F - Really smooth feel with perfect carbonation
O - a great beer quite nice for the season. Really balanced and enjoyable! I really like the hop presence between the malts. That's what I like about english ales!
★ 519 characters
3.83/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My first English Strong Ale--that's an unexpected fact. And apparently I chose a good one. This seems to be a standard-bearer for the style. I can't confirm or deny that, but I will say that it doesn't strike me as either tremendously different from or tremendously better than other Fuller's offerings: has the same kind of green, vegetal hop presence, some crystal malt, light carbonation.
The difference here is a bigger malt presence, suggestive of coffee or bitter chocolate, and a sense that both the malt and hop component have been amped up just a tad. Finishes a touch sweet, with that green vegetal hop finish. Pours a slightly hazy amber/red, capped by a fast-receding head of large-bubbled foam (typical of bottle conditioned offerings). Good sudsy lacing. It's a nice, drinkable ale, presenting more complexity as it warms, and I have a distinct sense the ABV could sneak up on you. Good brew, but not quite the holy grail.
★ 938 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My first English Strong Ale--that's an unexpected fact. And apparently I chose a good one. This seems to be a standard-bearer for the style. I can't confirm or deny that, but I will say that it doesn't strike me as either tremendously different from or tremendously better than other Fuller's offerings: has the same kind of green, vegetal hop presence, some crystal malt, light carbonation.
The difference here is a bigger malt presence, suggestive of coffee or bitter chocolate, and a sense that both the malt and hop component have been amped up just a tad. Finishes a touch sweet, with that green vegetal hop finish. Pours a slightly hazy amber/red, capped by a fast-receding head of large-bubbled foam (typical of bottle conditioned offerings). Good sudsy lacing. It's a nice, drinkable ale, presenting more complexity as it warms, and I have a distinct sense the ABV could sneak up on you. Good brew, but not quite the holy grail.
★ 938 characters
4.85/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Revised 5/13/16.
Look: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Three finger light brown head, medium red-brown hazy body.
Smell: Caramel and bread mainly, but also some floral and cream notes.
Taste: Same as above, but less apparent. Some roasted nuts on the end, probably from the hops.
Feel: Medium-high carbonation, medium body, a bit dry.
★ 333 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Revised 5/13/16.
Look: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Three finger light brown head, medium red-brown hazy body.
Smell: Caramel and bread mainly, but also some floral and cream notes.
Taste: Same as above, but less apparent. Some roasted nuts on the end, probably from the hops.
Feel: Medium-high carbonation, medium body, a bit dry.
★ 333 characters
4.01/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500 ml bottle (best by date 21Oct15) into a Mikasa ale glass.
LOOK: Pours with a half finger's worth of khaki foam that halves itself after 1 minute. Copper in color with a subtle cloudiness. Rising bubbles are medium in size and very subtle. There are very small particles floating throughout the brew. Lacing is moderate and both thick and thin in varying areas of the lacing.
SMELL: Strong aromas of figs, prunes, and molasses, and caramel entangle with mild aromas of tree nuts and bready malts, subtle aromas of smoked goodness, and hints of floral hops.
TASTE: Initial taste is of mild caramel, figs, prunes, and molasses flavors. Mild bready malt and tree nut flavors follow right after. About 3 seconds pass from the initial taste as mild smoked goodness flavors and subtle floral and earthy hop (where did they come from, though?) flavors enter as all previous flavors begin to fade.
FEEL: Full-bodied and moderately carbonated. Goes down smooth and finishes with a strong dryness.
NOTE: The first for me of its style. I thought it was great and I loved how it shared some qualities with the Scotch Ale style. The smoked goodness at the end was a tad too strong for me since it wasn't balanced out by the other flavors.
★ 1,242 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500 ml bottle (best by date 21Oct15) into a Mikasa ale glass.
LOOK: Pours with a half finger's worth of khaki foam that halves itself after 1 minute. Copper in color with a subtle cloudiness. Rising bubbles are medium in size and very subtle. There are very small particles floating throughout the brew. Lacing is moderate and both thick and thin in varying areas of the lacing.
SMELL: Strong aromas of figs, prunes, and molasses, and caramel entangle with mild aromas of tree nuts and bready malts, subtle aromas of smoked goodness, and hints of floral hops.
TASTE: Initial taste is of mild caramel, figs, prunes, and molasses flavors. Mild bready malt and tree nut flavors follow right after. About 3 seconds pass from the initial taste as mild smoked goodness flavors and subtle floral and earthy hop (where did they come from, though?) flavors enter as all previous flavors begin to fade.
FEEL: Full-bodied and moderately carbonated. Goes down smooth and finishes with a strong dryness.
NOTE: The first for me of its style. I thought it was great and I loved how it shared some qualities with the Scotch Ale style. The smoked goodness at the end was a tad too strong for me since it wasn't balanced out by the other flavors.
★ 1,242 characters
3.89/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From bottle, Pours copper with lasting off white creamy head, with nice lacing. Caramel, toast, butterscotch, raisin, dark fruit, cherry, bread Slight spice notes. Full body with light carbonation. Very nice.
★ 208 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From bottle, Pours copper with lasting off white creamy head, with nice lacing. Caramel, toast, butterscotch, raisin, dark fruit, cherry, bread Slight spice notes. Full body with light carbonation. Very nice.
★ 208 characters
4.38/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a pint.
Pours hazy copper with nice beige head, good retention and laces.
Smell - dried fruits, grassy hops, caramel.
Taste - rich malty, dark fruits, somewhat bready, excellent bitter palate.
Medium body and soft carbonation. Demonically excellent beer.
★ 266 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a pint.
Pours hazy copper with nice beige head, good retention and laces.
Smell - dried fruits, grassy hops, caramel.
Taste - rich malty, dark fruits, somewhat bready, excellent bitter palate.
Medium body and soft carbonation. Demonically excellent beer.
★ 266 characters
4.68/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured a 500ml bottle into an English pint glass.
Poured a lovely deep ruby brown with a tight, fluffy head that disappeared fairly quickly but left quite a bit of lacing.
Intense nose with lots of dried fruit, fruitcake, malty bready notes and some hop coming through. Complex.
Palate is full and rich. Complex and malty with an assertive bitterness hitting the back of the tongue and sides of the mouth. A very long, drying finish. Beautiful.
Mouth feel is great. Very full and well-rounded with low natural carbonation.
Overall a remarkably good beer. Very complex, strong, good mouth, nose and palate. The finish is too hoppy for my personal taste. Not sessionable as it's pretty strong.
Highly recommended.
★ 717 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured a 500ml bottle into an English pint glass.
Poured a lovely deep ruby brown with a tight, fluffy head that disappeared fairly quickly but left quite a bit of lacing.
Intense nose with lots of dried fruit, fruitcake, malty bready notes and some hop coming through. Complex.
Palate is full and rich. Complex and malty with an assertive bitterness hitting the back of the tongue and sides of the mouth. A very long, drying finish. Beautiful.
Mouth feel is great. Very full and well-rounded with low natural carbonation.
Overall a remarkably good beer. Very complex, strong, good mouth, nose and palate. The finish is too hoppy for my personal taste. Not sessionable as it's pretty strong.
Highly recommended.
★ 717 characters
4.14/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Deep copper with sticky cream head. Nose is very sweet, brown bread, candied fruit. Taste is very malty. Initial sweetness fading to bitter on back of tongue. Creamy mouthfeel. Very good, but falls short of loving it.
★ 219 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Deep copper with sticky cream head. Nose is very sweet, brown bread, candied fruit. Taste is very malty. Initial sweetness fading to bitter on back of tongue. Creamy mouthfeel. Very good, but falls short of loving it.
★ 219 characters
4.46/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L:
-pours a clear copper with a big,frothy,white head
-medium carbonation visible
S:
caramel,orange & grapefruit peel,toffee,grassy,strawberry,slightly bready
T:
-Follows the nose plus a dark fruit (Raisins,Plums,Figs) character
F:
-medium carbonation,medium-full body
-smooth
O:
Fantastic English strong ale
★ 308 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L:
-pours a clear copper with a big,frothy,white head
-medium carbonation visible
S:
caramel,orange & grapefruit peel,toffee,grassy,strawberry,slightly bready
T:
-Follows the nose plus a dark fruit (Raisins,Plums,Figs) character
F:
-medium carbonation,medium-full body
-smooth
O:
Fantastic English strong ale
★ 308 characters
4.74/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Brilliant copper amber pour generates a 1” light tan foam collar that hugs the side of the glass.
S: Big malt and nutty aromas blended with dark sugars with hints of fruit cake. A rich complex malt character comes forward in the nose seasoned with earthy hops that suggest fresh cut wood.
T: a slightly sweet palate developes a full malt character with nuts, light toast and biscuit drying out on the finish with a big bitter hop emphasis. Has a long dry earthy malty aftertaste.
F: Full creamy palateis very soft in the mouth with a little crispness on the finish.
O: In this beer Fuller’s gives a lesson in how to develop rich malt character.
★ 655 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Brilliant copper amber pour generates a 1” light tan foam collar that hugs the side of the glass.
S: Big malt and nutty aromas blended with dark sugars with hints of fruit cake. A rich complex malt character comes forward in the nose seasoned with earthy hops that suggest fresh cut wood.
T: a slightly sweet palate developes a full malt character with nuts, light toast and biscuit drying out on the finish with a big bitter hop emphasis. Has a long dry earthy malty aftertaste.
F: Full creamy palateis very soft in the mouth with a little crispness on the finish.
O: In this beer Fuller’s gives a lesson in how to develop rich malt character.
★ 655 characters
4.1/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer has its act together. Beautiful colour, substantial lingering head, sweet aroma of dark fruit and hard candy. This really is like fruitcake in a glass. Caramel malt, dark bread, cherry and plum are all prominent in the flavour profile. I love the overall packaging and complexity of this beer. Once again, Fuller's shows exactly how to craft a multi layered, substantial ale.
★ 385 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer has its act together. Beautiful colour, substantial lingering head, sweet aroma of dark fruit and hard candy. This really is like fruitcake in a glass. Caramel malt, dark bread, cherry and plum are all prominent in the flavour profile. I love the overall packaging and complexity of this beer. Once again, Fuller's shows exactly how to craft a multi layered, substantial ale.
★ 385 characters
4.52/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance- Dark reddish amber in color. Pours a one finger foamy white colored head that fizzles away quickly.
Aroma- Described as fruitcake on the back of the bottle and I guess I agree? Definitely some fruity esters, sweet caramel, and some sweet, almost toasty, bread malt.
Taste- Sweet caramel malts are big upfront along with some of those mild fruity esters. This sweetness is balanced as it transitions into a lightly toasted malt and a very mild amount of spice hops that linger into finish that leaves a mild lingering bitterness.
Feel- Medium bodied, light to medium carbonation, and an overall smooth rich malt that is incredibly pleasant to drink.
Overall- This beer has a lot going on with a great interplay of flavors ranging from the spicy hop finish to the toasted malt, and fruity esters from the yeast. Hands down a great, even amazing, beer in my books and one I will be seeking out again.
★ 922 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance- Dark reddish amber in color. Pours a one finger foamy white colored head that fizzles away quickly.
Aroma- Described as fruitcake on the back of the bottle and I guess I agree? Definitely some fruity esters, sweet caramel, and some sweet, almost toasty, bread malt.
Taste- Sweet caramel malts are big upfront along with some of those mild fruity esters. This sweetness is balanced as it transitions into a lightly toasted malt and a very mild amount of spice hops that linger into finish that leaves a mild lingering bitterness.
Feel- Medium bodied, light to medium carbonation, and an overall smooth rich malt that is incredibly pleasant to drink.
Overall- This beer has a lot going on with a great interplay of flavors ranging from the spicy hop finish to the toasted malt, and fruity esters from the yeast. Hands down a great, even amazing, beer in my books and one I will be seeking out again.
★ 922 characters
4.01/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a rich caramel brown. Some reddish hues when held up to the light. Initial pour seems a bit hazy but clears quickly. Nice one finger thick, cream colored head. Leaves thick, sticky lacing behind.
Aroma of caramel and molasses. Brown sugar, raisins, figs and dates.
Rich caramel is the first flavor. Sweet brown sugary malt and fresh bread. Some earthiness with spice notes as well. Anise, wormwood and ginger.
Medium-heavy mouth feel. Medium carbonation provides a crisp feeling on the tongue. Some bitterness on the aftertaste.
Very good beer which has a few notes that are a bit off. The earthy tastes don't blend well. Would prefer a sweeter aftertaste more like the more prominent flavors rather than the bitterness I pickup. A bit less carbonation would be nice as well.
★ 798 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a rich caramel brown. Some reddish hues when held up to the light. Initial pour seems a bit hazy but clears quickly. Nice one finger thick, cream colored head. Leaves thick, sticky lacing behind.
Aroma of caramel and molasses. Brown sugar, raisins, figs and dates.
Rich caramel is the first flavor. Sweet brown sugary malt and fresh bread. Some earthiness with spice notes as well. Anise, wormwood and ginger.
Medium-heavy mouth feel. Medium carbonation provides a crisp feeling on the tongue. Some bitterness on the aftertaste.
Very good beer which has a few notes that are a bit off. The earthy tastes don't blend well. Would prefer a sweeter aftertaste more like the more prominent flavors rather than the bitterness I pickup. A bit less carbonation would be nice as well.
★ 798 characters
3.93/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark red brown with an off-white head that mostly dissipates and leaves a little lacing.
Nose is subtle. Toffee/caramel and some earthy notes predominate. A little spice.
Taste is very smooth. Some chocolate and caramel and toffee with a little spice which finishes with an earthy bitterness. I was quite surprised at how dry this beer finished. Very dry.
Good beer
★ 379 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark red brown with an off-white head that mostly dissipates and leaves a little lacing.
Nose is subtle. Toffee/caramel and some earthy notes predominate. A little spice.
Taste is very smooth. Some chocolate and caramel and toffee with a little spice which finishes with an earthy bitterness. I was quite surprised at how dry this beer finished. Very dry.
Good beer
★ 379 characters
4.22/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured an almost muddy tan to start with but then cleared a little and was more of a caramel. Nice fluffy head that dissipated slowly and then left a very nice lacing that stuck around as I drank the beer. Outstanding looking beer, I dare say beautiful. The smell is not overly strong, there appears to be some caramel with the malt smell, and there seems to be some dark fruit of some sort. Taste is outstanding but not overly complex. An easy and very smooth drinking strong ale but lacks wow. More of a lighter version of strong ales. The feel is also kinda light, not real creamy or thick, it also leaves you kinda dry which is weird. Overall an extremely enjoyable beer that I would have anytime. Don't remember the cost as to whether it was a good value.
★ 769 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured an almost muddy tan to start with but then cleared a little and was more of a caramel. Nice fluffy head that dissipated slowly and then left a very nice lacing that stuck around as I drank the beer. Outstanding looking beer, I dare say beautiful. The smell is not overly strong, there appears to be some caramel with the malt smell, and there seems to be some dark fruit of some sort. Taste is outstanding but not overly complex. An easy and very smooth drinking strong ale but lacks wow. More of a lighter version of strong ales. The feel is also kinda light, not real creamy or thick, it also leaves you kinda dry which is weird. Overall an extremely enjoyable beer that I would have anytime. Don't remember the cost as to whether it was a good value.
★ 769 characters
4/5 rDev -2.4%
I will buy this again. I think maybe I had it too cold. Finishing the last bits warm gave me more of the flavor everyone raves about.
I know this is a uality ale, if Fuller's can't do it, whocan?
★ 196 characters
I will buy this again. I think maybe I had it too cold. Finishing the last bits warm gave me more of the flavor everyone raves about.
I know this is a uality ale, if Fuller's can't do it, whocan?
★ 196 characters
4.4/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I've had this in my beer inbox for quite a while.. poured a brown caramel colour with a light brown small head. Aromas of caramel. Tastes of caramel, roasted nut & slight spice. There is lacings left on the edge of the glass the more you drink, which is fairly quickly because I'm really enjoying this!
★ 302 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I've had this in my beer inbox for quite a while.. poured a brown caramel colour with a light brown small head. Aromas of caramel. Tastes of caramel, roasted nut & slight spice. There is lacings left on the edge of the glass the more you drink, which is fairly quickly because I'm really enjoying this!
★ 302 characters
4.15/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The beer pours a nice tannish and creamy head that dissipates moderately. The beer itself is a clear orangish brown. The beer smell has strong bread notes and nice toasted malt notes as well as a light and bitter hop note that is concealed under the other notes. The beer taste is phenomenal. The bitter hop notes are stronger than in the smell and works very well to balance out the same toasted notes present in the smell. However, the malted notes are a bit weaker and not as diverse. The malt notes have a slight caramel note and a lightly toasted bread taste. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth with a very light carbonation despite the vigorous head. Overall, a fantastic beer and nice to sit down with after a tough day at work.
★ 742 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The beer pours a nice tannish and creamy head that dissipates moderately. The beer itself is a clear orangish brown. The beer smell has strong bread notes and nice toasted malt notes as well as a light and bitter hop note that is concealed under the other notes. The beer taste is phenomenal. The bitter hop notes are stronger than in the smell and works very well to balance out the same toasted notes present in the smell. However, the malted notes are a bit weaker and not as diverse. The malt notes have a slight caramel note and a lightly toasted bread taste. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth with a very light carbonation despite the vigorous head. Overall, a fantastic beer and nice to sit down with after a tough day at work.
★ 742 characters
4.57/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Beautiful looking beer with a nice, malty smell and taste. Smooth all the way down. This one's a keeper. The beer is unusually clear for a bottle conditioning.
★ 162 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Beautiful looking beer with a nice, malty smell and taste. Smooth all the way down. This one's a keeper. The beer is unusually clear for a bottle conditioning.
★ 162 characters
4.44/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a clear, rich, garnet color with a restrained off-white head, borderline creamy in nature. Retention isn't strong but it dissipates evenly and leaves no real lacing behind.
Smell is malty with notes of oak and dark fruits, light spices and a whiff of hops. Phenomenal balance.
Taste is more of the same, malt, fruits, wood, light spice and hops and a wee bit of chocolate hanging in the background. Again, the balance is amazing, just world class.
Medium bodied with an assertive effervescence up front. Dry finish, warming, and quite a bit smoother than I would have guessed. A really great beer.
Oddly, it says on the label it's bottle conditioned but there is no evidence of yeast in the bottle or the glass.
★ 718 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a clear, rich, garnet color with a restrained off-white head, borderline creamy in nature. Retention isn't strong but it dissipates evenly and leaves no real lacing behind.
Smell is malty with notes of oak and dark fruits, light spices and a whiff of hops. Phenomenal balance.
Taste is more of the same, malt, fruits, wood, light spice and hops and a wee bit of chocolate hanging in the background. Again, the balance is amazing, just world class.
Medium bodied with an assertive effervescence up front. Dry finish, warming, and quite a bit smoother than I would have guessed. A really great beer.
Oddly, it says on the label it's bottle conditioned but there is no evidence of yeast in the bottle or the glass.
★ 718 characters
4.01/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
16.9 oz bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a dark red color. The head is three fingers high, with a khaki shade. Retention is excellent, and the texture has a craggy thickness to it. Lots of lacing is left on the glass, as well.
Smell: This has some of the best caramel notes I've ever encountered in an amber ale - it's richly sweet, subtly chocolaty, and even slightly fruity. The back of the bottle suggests the aroma is like fruitcake, and they're honestly not lying. Dark fruits appear, as well as some earthy hop tones. Seriously one of the most enrapturing aromas I've encountered in a long while - made better by the fact that is ISN'T some 20% triple-barrel aged imperial coconut stout. (4.5)
Taste: A bit disappointing following the nose. It starts off with all those wonderful caramel-laden fruits, but it also finishes fairly bitter from notes of earth, tobacco, and woodsy hoppiness. There's also a strong mineral note on the back end. After a few sips, I learn to re-align my expectations, and start to realize how wonderfully balanced this one is. Still not as amazing as the nose, but very tasty regardless. (3.75)
Mouthfeel: Wow, this beer is dry. Dry to the point of being astringent, even. Still, it does an excellent job of combining an easygoing nature with a rich, full body. Carbonation is slightly low, befitting of an English ale. (3.75)
Overall: This had a seriously incredible aroma; the flavor profile, while still impressive, couldn't stack up. It's still a great representation of the English strong ale (a style I'm not exactly keen on, mind you), one that uses caramel malts better than many other beers out there. (4)
3.98/5: I could - and would - drink this one all night in a pub
★ 1,730 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
16.9 oz bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a dark red color. The head is three fingers high, with a khaki shade. Retention is excellent, and the texture has a craggy thickness to it. Lots of lacing is left on the glass, as well.
Smell: This has some of the best caramel notes I've ever encountered in an amber ale - it's richly sweet, subtly chocolaty, and even slightly fruity. The back of the bottle suggests the aroma is like fruitcake, and they're honestly not lying. Dark fruits appear, as well as some earthy hop tones. Seriously one of the most enrapturing aromas I've encountered in a long while - made better by the fact that is ISN'T some 20% triple-barrel aged imperial coconut stout. (4.5)
Taste: A bit disappointing following the nose. It starts off with all those wonderful caramel-laden fruits, but it also finishes fairly bitter from notes of earth, tobacco, and woodsy hoppiness. There's also a strong mineral note on the back end. After a few sips, I learn to re-align my expectations, and start to realize how wonderfully balanced this one is. Still not as amazing as the nose, but very tasty regardless. (3.75)
Mouthfeel: Wow, this beer is dry. Dry to the point of being astringent, even. Still, it does an excellent job of combining an easygoing nature with a rich, full body. Carbonation is slightly low, befitting of an English ale. (3.75)
Overall: This had a seriously incredible aroma; the flavor profile, while still impressive, couldn't stack up. It's still a great representation of the English strong ale (a style I'm not exactly keen on, mind you), one that uses caramel malts better than many other beers out there. (4)
3.98/5: I could - and would - drink this one all night in a pub
★ 1,730 characters
Fuller's 1845 from Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
4.1
out of 5
based on 1,098 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
T: Pleasant, toasty, bready/biscuity, pale + crystal malt, no discernible hop taste or aroma (beyond bittering)
A: Copper/bronze color with average head which dissipated fast into thin crown
M: Average mouthfeel, average carbonation
S: Toasty malt, mild smell, nothing memorable
O: Overall a drinkable and enjoyable beer. Wouldn't turn one down, wouldn't go out of my way to buy.
★ 383 characters