Fuller’s launches 21st annual Vintage Ale
The beer is the 21st incarnation of the annual limited-edition brew, made using a new variety of malting barley and classic British hops.
All bottles of the beer are individually numbered and will be available from Fuller’s Brewery Shop in Chiswick, online and in Waitrose.
Deep amber colour
Coming in at an ABV of 8.5%, the beer was created by Fuller’s recently promoted head brewer, Georgina Young. Pouring a deep amber colour, Vintage Ale 2017 opens with distinctive citrus aromas from experimental American hop variety Denali. The hop has been used both late in the boil and for dry-hopping, alongside classic British hop varieties Target and Goldings.
The beer also includes a new British malting barley called Laureate.
Young said: “I am honoured and privileged to be able to put my signature on this year’s Vintage Ale and carry on its legacy.
Like a fine wine or whisky
“As with every Vintage Ale, I am extremely excited to see how these new ingredients work together as the flavours of this bottle-conditioned beer develop over time.
“Bottle conditioning means that a little yeast is left in the bottle, which will mature slowly over the years like a fine wine or whisky – well beyond the 'best before' date we are obliged to state.”
Older vintages of the beer are extremely rare and have been known to sell for huge prices online.
