Try?
This is real ale.
Indeed it is! What is real ale? Real ale is a beer that has a secondary
fermentation in the container from which it is served. This process produces
natural carbonation in the bottle, keg, or cask and preserves the beer too,
actually improving it over age. In England, beer drinking habits are much
different than they are here in the United States. Most beer is consumed
there in pubs rather than at home as it is here in the States. Real ale is
very popular in England, and Fuller's bottled real ale is now the number one
bottle conditioned version for home consumption.
Fuller's was established in 1845, and this beer of the same name was
introduced in 1995 in honor of the 150th anniversary of that event. It has
been available in the United States for a few years now, and is always
readily available in my area. It comes in a large bottle of almost 19
ounces, and is an excellent value for the price.
The beer pours to a deep amber color with a soft rocky head that will
convince you you're sitting in a pub sipping a pint of cask ale. The nose is
rich with sweet malt, the palate more so. There's a rich cake-like malt
flavor to this beer, some chocolate, a touch of butter, subtle fruit, sweet
chewy caramel notes, and a bitter, lingering hop finish. There's a touch of
alcohol warmth too (1845 has an alcohol content of 6.3% by volume).
This is another beer I recommend by itself, best before or after dinner due
to its richness. It's a special beer to be savored and enjoyed, and i expect
you will enjoy it.
Fuller's 1845 is also a beer that will hold up well over time, and undergo
some interesting permutations. My latest sampling on June 20th of 2002 was
of a bottle that had a suggested "Best By" date of March 15th, 2002. The
beer had changed significantly but was still delicious, if a bit more
mellow. I got a firm malt body, a rich full mouthfeel, a slightly fruity
palate, and hints of mince pie and prune. The balanced finish leaned
slightly to the malty side. There was a subtle warmth there too.
It just keeps getting better.
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
