Fuller, Smith & Turner PBC Vintage Ale 2018 – Old Ale at 8.5% ABV (C$10.49 at Crowfoot Liquor Heritage Pointe, 500 ml, best before 31-Dec-2028, acquired 3-Dec-2021, reviewed 7-Dec-2021)
Appearance: clear deep amber with one fat finger of fine ivory head, good retention, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: toffee & caramel, raisins, dark fruit, nuts, earth, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate-high carbonation, sticky building bitter warming finish. (3/5)
Bottle #045667 – don’t I feel special. The little card in the box says this is brewed with all-English Olicana, Ernest, Target, Goldings, Challenger, and Northdown hops; Maris Otter and Crystal malt. It also makes claims about fruit notes that might be considered “New World”, but I have to say that anything of the sort that might have existed is long gone by now. What’s left is toffee malt on some dark fruit and earthy pine, much like several previous incarnations, with some other complexity that comes out if you take your time and let it warm. I suppose I should try one of these fresh at some point, in order to actually get some hop character? My perennial complaint about this one is that I find the body a bit thin and the carbonation a bit excessive, and think the overall experience would be improved if it were thicker and softer. (15/20)
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