Distant cereal grain, roasted barley, and toasted wheat template laminates irksome phenol hop fizz of strident ‘crystal wheat ale’ for disappointingly sketchy brew.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
FULL SAIL HALF PIPE PORTER
Ice coffee smoothness and brown chocolate sweetness closer to creamy milk stout. Mellow nuttiness and vinous fruiting embitter clean mocha finish of smoke-scented black body.
FULL SAIL E.S.B.
Citric-perfumed ESB counters initial barleymalt sweetness and earthy mineral grain ascendancy with hop-tingled orange peel bitterness, but desolate finish rather toned down for English bitter styling.
FULL SAIL AMBER ALE
Thickheaded copper-toned spice-hopped amber delicately caresses toffee-mocha malts and earthy grains with lively fruiting. Moderate creaminess melts into sweet cracked wheat backdrop too swiftly at thin finish.
FULLERS VINTAGE ALE – 2005
Enticing ruddy-hued ruby-highlighted Fuggle-hopped “mellow golden” retains heady barleywine thickness and edgy brandy tinge well suited for 8.5% alcohol rigidity. Chewy caramel malting centers dried prune-raisin influx, maraschino cherry seduction, sour apple tartness, meager pecan flurry and receding orange marmalade tinge. Sherry, Merlot, and port wine illusions bedeck dry finish.
FULLERS SUMMER ALE
Lilting golden-hued citrus-scented hot weather fare features fluffy white foam, carbolic hop-bitten lemon-splashed zest and floral-herbal nuance usurped by clean watery flow to delicately fading grapefruit finish.
FULLERS OLD WINTER ALE
Full-bodied amber-hued winter ale lacks typical holiday seasoning identified with its ilk. Hop-embittered caramel malts reminiscent of richer Fuller’s E.S.B. Unfortunately, dirty grain pungency doesn’t kick in until inconsequential bitter finish subsides.
FULLERS 1997 BOTTLE CONDITIONED VINTAGE ALE
Caramel-hued frothy-headed chocolate-scented vintage ale (microbrew # 82,378 out of 85,000 made) places aggressive grain bitterness above dark mocha malt sweetness and fig-date wisp, creating silken alcohol-strengthened barleywine illusion. But soft watery finish depletes long-lasting syrupy thickness, precluding further distinction.
FULLERS LONDON PRIDE PALE ALE
Fine dry-hopped maple-malted caramel-nutty medium body swallowed up by watery mineral-grained finish, yet quite sturdy despite coarse astringency.
FULLERS LONDON PORTER
Despite unassuming aroma, this perfect porter strikes an imposing mocha vibe, as distinct caramel chocolate malts and dried fruits receive bitter hop insurgence. Sweet barley roast and sticky resin-thick yeast enchant mellowing black coffee finish. Full-bodied, rich, heavy, and a bit nutty.
FULLERS INDIA PALE ALE
Pleasantly smooth strong English bitter works caramel malt sweetness into dry-hopped finish as robust grain insurgence adds richness to wood chip burnt accentuation. Strangely, this isn’t too far removed from Watney’s Red Barrel when imbibed at room temperature (though distinction lacks).
FULLERS E.S.B. ENGLISH ALE
Crisp ruddish bitter with flowery hops, pleasant caramel malts, and dry citrus punctuality. But fragile barleymalt sweetness inefficient by faded nutty finish.