Vintage Ale 1997
Fuller's Brewery in Chiswick, Greater London, England 🏴
Traditional Beer - Old Ale Series Out of Production|
Score
7.48
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Brewed on 18th May and 22nd July 1997 this is the first in the portfolio of Vintage Ales. Dark in appearance, the taste is almost brandy like with a hint of fruitiness in the aroma.
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7.8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 8
Bottle number 14110, which I came across in a chest of drawers while clearing out my father’s garage. It poured clean and clear, mahogany coloured, with a momentary, off-white, head and touch of carbonation. The aroma was rich, with plenty of fruitcake notes, a touch of oak, warming alcohol but no hop character remained. The flavour was sweet and boozy, with plenty of berry fruits, nuts, a yeasty edge and warming, rich finish. Almost 18 years after it was brewed, this was a great beer. Cheers John!
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Jun 2015
at 11:39
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottled 550 ml at Akkurat, Stockholm, on August 7, 2014.No 25060.Clear brown color, tan head. Sweet, raisin, coca-cola, alcohol, some juniper, sugary, honey, berries, chocolate, candy, cocoa scent. Sweet, mellow, alcohol, raisin, smooth, dry chocolate taste. Cocoa aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel, low to medium low bitterness. Warming alcohol.Smells very nice, taste seems a bit tired, really feel this is now over the top and likely have been better to how I would appreciate it. Still holds up very well though.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Aug 2014
at 04:51
7.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle split at Bruce’s pad, thanks to Mads (Dedollewaiter) for the trade, 12/05/14. Bottle #61154. Marmalade orange/amber with a moderate light beige swirl and accompanying edgework. Nose carries sherry tones, bloody mary, oxidised pangs, dark malts, toffee, spice, light must. Taste comprises toffee fudge, earthy, oxidised licks, dark stoned fruits, bread pudding, dates, prune juice, sherry twinges. Medium + body, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a light streak of booze. This has held up really well for 17/18 years, clear oxidisation but still drinkable and enjoyable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Jun 2014
at 03:48
8.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle shared in London - huge thanks to Colin for hauling in this whale. Pours mostly clear, amber-brown with a frothy, tan head. The nose has some nice, lightly tangy berry fruits on the nose, slight leather, toffee, wood. Medium sweet flavor, more toffee, old fruits, leathery cherries, caramel, mellow tang, slight basement. Medium to full bodied with fine carbonation; impressively well conditioned for the age. Sweet finish with some jammy, leathery fruits, gooey toffee, slight wood. Excellent beer.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 May 2014
at 11:08
7.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
From ancient ancient notes that i found lying around. So would have been from the time... It dark dart roast .. big sweet fruityness ... nice.
Tried
on 31 Oct 2013
at 07:24
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Bottle at Akkurat. It pours deep mahogany brown, with a medium white head. The nose is fruit cake, toast, wood, honey, floral notes and dark fruit (figs and dates). The taste is toffee, leather, wood, vinous, honey, dust, prune, date, cherry, raisin and some coffee, with and very dry finish. Medium-full body and fine carbonation. This one has aged gracefully in the Akkurat cellar. Enjoyable stuff.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jul 2012
at 04:32
6.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
30th April 2010
Bottle 3967. Cloudy brown beer, thick off white head. Toffee, tea and aged malt on the nose. Light dry palate. Rich tea and toffee malt. Clearly very aged - some chocolate underneath and a bare whisper of hop in the finish which is pretty dry. Clearly aged and past it’s best but still worth a try.
Bottle 3967. Cloudy brown beer, thick off white head. Toffee, tea and aged malt on the nose. Light dry palate. Rich tea and toffee malt. Clearly very aged - some chocolate underneath and a bare whisper of hop in the finish which is pretty dry. Clearly aged and past it’s best but still worth a try.
Tried
from Bottle
on 17 Jun 2012
at 08:07
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 8
Bottle 500ml. [ Vintage 1997 ]. Unclear to hazy medium amber color with a average, frothy to creamy, good lacing, mostly lasting, light beige head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, caramel, vintage malt, druied fruit, oxidide. Flavor is light heavy sweet and light bitter with a average to long duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft, finish feel is light to moderate warm alcohol. [20100314]
Tried
from Bottle
on 05 Apr 2010
at 13:45
7.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
cloudy brown, small offwhite head. aroma is slightly oxidized, but retains lots of interesting notes which is pretty impressive after all those years. flavor is sweet dark fruits, sweet malts.
Tried
on 14 Mar 2010
at 13:10
7.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Hazy deep amber with a medium beige head. Sweet aroma with overripe berries, roasted malt, caramel and hints of figs. Sweet flavour with roasted malt, caramel and plums. Finished sweet.
Tried
on 14 Mar 2010
at 13:01