Back in July of 2015, I shared my thoughts on Fuller's Vintage Ale 2009. Happily for me, the wife bought me a 4-pack gift box of the 2009 through 2012 editions for Christmas last year, and I decided to pop the Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2009 Edition first as it was the oldest. That sampler actually did not include the 2010, so the next up for me was the 2011, and that is what I am drinking currently.
I popped my bottle on March 26th to commemorate the birthday of legendary English beer writer Michael Jackson. An English beer always seems apropos to remember Jackson on his birthday, and Fuller's Vintage Ale was well-loved by the Beerhunter.
Being that this is the 2011 edition, the beer has 6 years of age on it as I drink. Having enjoyed it young and aged, I’d give the nod to this beer with age on it, though you can’t go wrong either way. From the label:
The 2011 Vintage ale, our 15th, is brewed with some of the finest of this year's malt and hops. The malt grist includes a proportion produced by Warminster Maltings, from organic barley grown by Sir James Fuller on the Neston Park Estate. This will be married with choicest Goldings, Organic First Gold and award winning Sovereign hops to produce a beer with a form malt base, marmalade notes and a satisfying bitter finish.
Individually packages and numbered, this bottle is one of only one hundred and fifty thousand produced.
I found it quite curious that the label on my bottle stated this beer was “Best Before End 2014”. Being a potent brew under bottle-conditioning, it surely would last much longer than 3 years, and indeed why would Fuller’s sell this in a 4-pack vintage series past any best by date? The label of the beer solves this mystery.
Although we are obliged to state a best before date of 2014, like a fine wine or whisky this mellow golden ale will improve with age for many more years.
Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2011 Edition has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume. The 4-pack ran $29.95 at Greene’s, a real bargain and at about $7.49 per bottle and not much more than the $6.95 I paid for the 1998 edition 17 years ago. I ran this bottle through my Fizzics system which made it extra smooth and creamy.
Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2011 Edition pours to a deep tawny amber color with a thick fluffy head formation and a sinfully rich toffee nose. A thick layer of Brussels Lace forms on the sides of my glass and follows the liquid down the sides. Taking a sip, the beer has a smooth luxurious mouthfeel, thick chewy caramel and toffee notes with hints of vanilla and raisin, rum raisin ice cream and a warm alcohol finish. I do get the ever so slightest beginnings of oxidation here, which I did not get on the 2009. I think I drank this one just in time.
This is beer perfection my friends, and it really does not get any better than this. If you can still find a bottle, buy it. If not, don’t worry too much, just buy the latest release of this classic English beer. It’s really and truly one of the best beers in the world.
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