Fullers Vintage 2011 edition

[MarkBowie]

I chose to have this years bottle on my birthday, it was amazing. Flavours I don’t usually associate with beer, plum on the nose and amazing deep malt before deep fruit and bitter finish. That’s it for another year of the Vintage. Will be having some of the others from Fullers later in the year.

 

[Dmet]

That vintage is selling for £60 in the Parcel yard pub in London. I had the 1999 a few years ago before they went mad with the prices (now £230 a bottle, then £12). Waitrose sold 2017 last year at £6.50 a bottle so I got 7, one to try fresh and the others to lay down. The 2008 I had at the brewery was also very good and even SWMBO liked it. Parcel yard has had it on draft and well as the 1845 which is normally only bottle conditioned.

 

[MarkBowie]

That vintage is selling for £60 in the Parcel yard pub in London. I had the 1999 a few years ago before they went mad with the prices (now £230 a bottle, then £12). Waitrose sold 2017 last year at £6.50 a bottle so I got 7, one to try fresh and the others to lay down. The 2008 I had at the brewery was also very good and even SWMBO liked it. Parcel yard has had it on draft and well as the 1845 which is normally only bottle conditioned.

I’ve now got 1 of the 2010 (I drank one of them last year), 1 2011 and 2 of each year after that. I buy 2 each time and keep them until it comes round to 7 years later. I’ve also got 2 bottles of brewers reserve I bought a couple of years ago, one of the special edition imperial stouts as I drank the other one. I don’t know why I’m collecting them to be honest but when they come out at £6 a bottle it is a nice feeling when they’re drunk that long after and taste amazing. I think I’m going to start buying 3 so I can drink one young and see the difference.

 

[Dmet]

A lot of beers do really well after aging. There is a book called Vintage beer by Patrick Dawson which gives you the flavour profiles over time. I like aged Rochefort 10 and we had some 5 year old at the beerfest lunchtime beers. As well as a 20 year old Gales Prize Old Ale, not so great and a 2012 Westvleteren 12 which was super. Looking to get some Rochefort 10 from Beerwulf as it is only £2.99 a bottle.

 

[prog99]

Chimay blue ages well too. theres a pub in Antwerp that (when I visited) vintages dating back I think to the 70s. My wallet didn't quite stretch that far.

 

[Dmet]

One advantage of having Tesco sell Chimay blue at £2.50 a bottle. Affordable enough to lay down.

 

[MarkBowie]

How long is the longest it’s been lay down you’ve had for the Chimay?

 

[JNoble]

Wow, I hadn't realised they were that valuable. Have one bottle of most vintages back to 2001 so collectively may be worth a bob or two! Originally won one case each of 2000-2003 as part of Fuller's 2003 '12 Days of Christmas' competition (12 crates in all). Best Christmas beer present ever.

 

[MarkBowie]

Wow, I hadn't realised they were that valuable. Have one bottle of most vintages back to 2001 so collectively may be worth a bob or two! Originally won one case each of 2000-2003 as part of Fuller's 2003 '12 Days of Christmas' competition (12 crates in all). Best Christmas beer present ever.

Have a look on the Fullers Vintage Ale website, that collection would be worth a fair amount!

 

[JNoble]

I had a look. Wish I still had the 4 cases …. Did enjoy them though and gave some away as Christmas presents. I always get 2 of each vintage for Christmas so perhaps I need to increase this.

 

[MarkBowie]

I have been buying 2 of each with the intention of laying one down and drinking it after 7 years. This year I’m going to buy another 2017 and 4 2018 so I can drink one on arrival, after one year and then after 7.

 

[Dmet]

I still dont' see how the price can increase 5 times in 2 years and £500 for a bottle?

 

[Rosscoe]

I've just found a (boxed) bottle of this in my dads garage, im not an expert/collector/connoisseur is it collectible? Should I keep it? Sell it? Or just crack it open & drink it?

 

[BassoonBrew]

You might find a buyer, there are always bottles on eBay. Fullers themselves would want about £100 if you were buying, but that's cloud cuckoo pricing. Personally, I'd get it drunk, I've found that Vintage Ale definitely improves up to at least 10 years,and beyond.

(full disclosure: I have a couple of cases of VA of 1 or 2 bottles each year going back to 2000. Was originally going to have a "vertical tasting" in the Summer with some mates, but well, events...)

 

[Rosscoe]

You might find a buyer, there are always bottles on eBay. Fullers themselves would want about £100 if you were buying, but that's cloud cuckoo pricing. Personally, I'd get it drunk, I've found that Vintage Ale definitely improves up to at least 10 years,and beyond.

(full disclosure: I have a couple of cases of VA of 1 or 2 bottles each year going back to 2000. Was originally going to have a "vertical tasting" in the Summer with some mates, but well, events...)

thanks! maybe I'll open it at Christmas.