1998 Vintage: I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get my hands on this one, but I finally did. Pricey at $6.95 a bottle but worth it to be sure. Rich ruby red color, good head formation. Wonderfully piny hop nose, the hoppiest English ale I've yet to buy in a bottle. Palate is extremely rich and fresh-malty, lots of caramel here, sweet, chewy, some biscuity character, very warm alcohol finish, a kiss of bitter hops . A big malty delight, this one will age nicely but from where I'm sitting it's delicious as it is, a beautiful barley wine and one hell of a brilliant beer.
Fuller's Vintage Ale didn't last long around my house. I picked up Fuller's Vintage Ale on 11/15/1998 along with Adnam's Tally Ho Barleywine, McChouffe, DeKonnick, Christophel, Wellington County Porter, and a few others: I easily could have purchased a slew of other beers new to me. I drank the Fuller's Vintage Ale just two days later.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft