Fuller's 1845 - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Topside this has an easy good loose magnolia head which sends up subtle waves of toffee. Orange copper brown appearance. In the mouth and to taste there is an unfolding complexity of some castrol sugary sweetness back and forth ending firmly with a dry dark gentle bitterness. A bit raw but juicy too and firm and that roastiness doesn't quite lead into anything too stern. Doesn't at all appeal to my emotions but I can appreciate it for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 08:19:42 | More by Zimbo

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear medium dark amber in color with some garnet red highlights and light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall foamy light beige head that slowly reduces to a dense quarter finger that evenly covers the entire surface of the beer. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of malty sweetness including caramel and toasted malts

T: This beer is quite malty with notes of toasted and caramel malt sweetness as well as some nutty flavors. Light notes of fruity yeasts near the finish and just a touch of earthiness. Very light bitterness that fades quickly.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Extremely smooth.

O: Extremely easy to drink and very enjoyable - just shy of sessionable but that is because of the higher ABV. Nice complexity to the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 21:56:05 | More by dbrauneis

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Really dark amber with a slight brown tint to it, head slightly off-white measuring to a finger's length off the body.

Smell: Malty smell that really grabs your attention, problem is that it is really light scent.

Taste: Complex, this beer is really a monster when it comes to taste. Strong malty feel not really bitter but you feel a slight sweetness to it courtesy of fruits in this brew. It is unique and I would like to rate it higher but there is slight room for improvement.

Mouth: Medium and sticky, and smooth for everyone.

Overall: Great beer I will buy this again without blinking. You get everything you could ask for great taste. I can't see you drinking this one without smiling, Salud!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 04:14:58 | More by BlurryVisi0n

keithmurray

Louisiana

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16.9 oz bottle poured into a mug

Appearance - dark ruby red colour with khaki colored head

Smell - Toffee, caramel, honey

Taste - Caramel, honey, toffee, malts, whole grains, slight presence from hops

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, highly carbonated, slightly sweet upfront, enough bitterness in the finish to let you know the hops are there, fairly smooth going down, slight mineral quality in this as well

Overall - This is a solid, well crafted, reasonably priced beer that I would happily drink again

Price Point - $3.99/16.9oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:12:36 | More by keithmurray

draheim

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500mL into an imperial pint. Pours a clear amber w/ a thick beige head, lively carb.

Aroma is fruity, caramelly, rich and bready.

Taste is fruity, bready, with a minerally water quality. Clean and pure presentation of barley malt and water.

Mouthfeel is full-bodied, creamy, luxurious.

Overall this might be my new favorite English ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 06:08:06 | More by draheim

BierStein711

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ruby red pour with four finger off white head.

Smells of dark fruit and hop

Malty taste, with mellowed bite at finish

Mouthfeel is perfect, this is what a beer should feel like!

Overall, I would have this again. I am going to explore more of the brewery's portfolio.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 13:27:33 | More by BierStein711

dansmcd

Australia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark ruby red under a creamy head and short sheets of lacing.

S - Dark fruit and malt. Some honey, wildflowers and wood.

T - Smoky roasted malts, raspberry esters and brown sugar. Nice combination but a touch mild.

M - Light medium body and low to medium carbonation. A touch flat.

O - A well rounded English pub ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 09:03:05 | More by dansmcd

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint.

A - Pours a deep, dark, reddish-brown with a MASSIVE four-finger head of foam the consistency of whipped cream that lasted what seemed an eternity. The head is so thick it doesnt really leave lacing because it barely breaks apart.

S - Big, powerful aroma of toffee, lightly toasted malt, and earthy hops. Smells inviting.

T - Toffee bomb! (and I mean that in the best possible way) Besides the aforementioned toffee, esters of sweetbreads and walnuts forward. Some fruitiness present in the mid-palate with hints fig and date. Sweet but balanced, with some residual bitterness from the malt as well. Hops which carry the finish are extremely musty and earthy, which works really well with the malt bill presented. Buttery diacetyl lurks underneath but never really becomes distracting. Delicious.

M - An interesting mix between buttery slick and creamy. Medium bodied and medium carbonated. Not as chewy a body as the flavor profile would seem to suggest it might carry.

O - A truly stellar English Ale. Between the taste and the name it's definitely not hard to imagine sipping some of this in a pub at room temperature in some bygone age. Currently my favorite English beer. I'll be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 01:01:34 | More by TempeBeerMan

smakawhat

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A bit of a muddy and dark reddish brown body, with some faint cola like bubbles, giving a large bubbled head of about three fingers with some good retention. Head does fall slowly, with faint scattered lacing.

Nose is real fruity. Interesting mix of dark raisins, and spritzy sensations. Figgy. Citrus zest and spray everywhere. Great biscuit malt quality and fig newton angle all over. Real wonderful bitter like action going on.

Wonderful light texture of malt on the palate, with a thick rich density that isn't cloying. Fruit angle carries on the nose into the mid palate, with figs and raisins. Finishes clean surprisingly, with a mild toffee crisp waffer action.

Looking over my bottle this is way past best before date by 5 months and it's still dang impressive. Even still this beer is delivering, will be trying this again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 23:18:45 | More by smakawhat

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear amber. Huge beige head. Best lacing I've ever seen in a beer.

S: Harsh malt. Reminds me of fish food pellets. Not quite metallic though.

T: Dark caramel. Fish food pellet maltiness. Gets better after a few sips. Pretty sweet. Lovely bitterness. Slightly, slightly on the metallic side.

O: Great, but don't drink after having something bright and fruity.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 20:10:37 | More by Hoppsbabo

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle into tumbler.
Best before June 2013 making it 14 months old. Stored by me at cellar temp.

A- Slightly hazed ruby red with hints of brown. Two finger soapy off white head, recedes to a thick cap leaving gobs of lacing around the glass.

S- Cinnamon, brown sugar and some dark fruits. There is a touch of fresh baked bread and some almonds.

T- Sweet biscuits, cinnamon, brown sugar with some vanilla. Almonds and a touch of burnt toast.

M- Medium bodied, slightly creamy, decent carbonation.

O- This really is remarkable, the beer fresh was awesome, but this is breath taking. It's easy drinking, smooth, flavourful and overall just excellent.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 00:03:18 | More by korguy123

BogBoyJD

Ireland

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one from a 500ml bottle. Poured into Brewdog pint glass.

Thick 2-3 finger head, dense. Almost lIke a chocolate milkshake. Beautiful red color. I just dig in , can t wait. Head fades to perfect lacing. Never leaves

Lots of caramel on the nose. Hints of brandy. Dark charred fruits. Goes well!

Creamy, biscuity notes, and the burnt fruit. There's a slight bit of bitterness. More rounded than Brakspear. Not overly boozy.

Not really thick. Body is as it should be. Though nothing stands out here.

Overall Fullers brews never disappoint, they are good solid beers. I imagine that they represent what beer was like back in the day, so not to sound corny but it s like a brief view into the history of English brewing. The fact that they are so well received in current times says it all.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 20:53:16 | More by BogBoyJD

Plugwaster

3.83/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A nice beer, with good color and quite a bit of bitterness. Flat without a lot of head, and what head there was dissipated quickly. Caramel notes, as well as some fruit and herbal notes, not a lot of hop. A bit alcoholic, but not excessive considering this beer is 6.3% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 08:59:02 | More by Plugwaster

sfprint

Germany

3.13/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Light a slightly red cola, a hair lighter than coke with a soda head, mild soda like carbonation.
S: Red ale, approaching the porter neighborhood, also somewhat sweet and syrupy, cola malt. Fairly strong smell, slight alcohol.
T: I guess good for this style but I'm not in love. Too sweet which throws it.
M: A tad dry and tart.
O: Mediocre. I don't get what everyone's raving over.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 12:23:38 | More by sfprint

rarbring

Sweden

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A hazy red amber, a small off-white head with little lacing and small curtains.

A sweet fruity smell, raspberries and oranges.

Starting sweet, syrup, brown bread, red berries, butter and cherry seed.

Little carbonation, soft and smooth, a good body with a light dry finish.

A nice soft powerful real ale this was.

Serving type: cask

06-06-2012 20:50:11 | More by rarbring

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- This has a beautiful reddish-coppery hue throughout, and is clear. There appears to be a mild carbonation factor, as few bubbles rise to the top of the glass. The head is off white in color, starts about a finger thick, and is dense. It retains decently well, and leaves behind plenty of thick sticky lacing!

S- I pick up a wonderful overall aroma, and everything is just so subtle, as another reviewer put it. There is a nice blend of yeasty bread, fruity esters of perhaps apple, bananas, and hints of berries. There is also a well rounded bitterness on the finish....this all must come from the 100 days of maturation! Very nice indeed!

T- This is a fantastically well rounded tasting brew...typical of this brewer! Sweet, but not overdone caramel and/or toffee malt goodness are right upfront, with some biscuit like character mixed in to add to the richness. I don't find the fruitiness carries through very well on the palate, but what I do find is an added unsweetened cocoa flavor that pairs up with the bitter leafy hop notes on the finish...upon further review, this has a noticeable cocoa quality in the aftertaste that lingers on the palate....it's actually nice!

M- This isn't as filling as I thought it would be, but still, this is a solid medium bodied brew. The carbonation, while fine, is slightly zesty on the palate, and more than the appearance lets on. Overall the mouthfeel is different from what I was expecting but I don't mind it...it's actually refreshing and crisp, which is different for this style!

O- Another very high quality product from Fullers! A few have mentioned the alcohol, but the duel cocoa/hop bitterness keeps this in check in my opinion. The drinkability is very high, and I'd love to enjoy this on tap at a pub any time! Another delightful Ale from the UK, and I highly recommend this one!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 00:55:35 | More by ChrisCage

vkv822

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16.9oz bottle; tulip snifter.

Pours copper, with a big foamy, soapy looking off white head.

Toffee and caramel, with some light mineral-yeast notes and dried dark fruit.

The mineral notes are less pronounced and the toffee/caramel and dried dark fruit are more balanced.

Medium body, with soft carbonation that makes the body feel a bit lighter.

An enjoyable beer, though it did seem subdued at times.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 09:09:13 | More by vkv822

tony223366

California

4.45/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: 3+ fingers off just off-white head. It's fluffy, thick and full of all kinds of different sized bubbles. The beer itself is copper colored with rich ruby shades when you put the glass in front of light. Fantastic clarity. Man, this looks so tasty.

S: Man, such a complex and subtle aroma. I get huge fruity, estery aromas. But what really hits me is the crusted bread malt aromas. And they smell good. Just tons of yeast. No hops are apparent but I really don't need them.

T: Wow, this is really good. Every step of flavor as it travels over my palate is excellent and well balanced. I'll do the best I can to break them up. The first flavor I get is the really nice fruitiness. After that I get some big malt depth that includes the bready, crusty malts. Then it moves back to the fruits and touches on just a light peppery flavor. The beer itself finishes smooth with some chocolate and just the hint of hops. It's a stunner!

M: This is the only place that the beer falters. The body is fine, it's smooth and medium bodied. However the carbonation is a little too tight. As per other English beers I really think this would finish perfectly just slightly cool and with little carbonation. I guess when your beer is bottle conditioned that's probably hard to accomplish though, so I can't fault them too much.

O: A truly excellent and classic beer. It's been a while since I had a beer that is a must drink for anybody exploring the world of beer. Truly a classic and truly worth the acclaim.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 04:55:08 | More by tony223366

shand

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16.9oz bottle into a nonic.

This beer pours out a deep red-brown color with a finger of off-white head. The aroma is very English, with dark fruits, toffee, caramel, honey, chocolate, and some spicing. Very complex, yet distinctly English. The taste is good, with a complex banquet of slightly roasted malts, dark fruits, chocolate, spices, toffee and cream that comes just as fast as it goes, leaving just the slightest hint of roast, fruit and creaminess on the tongue. The mouthfeel is fairly prickly for the style at first, but is strongly drying. Overall, it's a very good English ale that's a bit more aggressive than I expected. Its strong flavors make it a good beer for the steadfast American craft drinker to aquatint themselves with some English flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 02:24:30 | More by shand

GregBlatz

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clearance case at local beer store. $24/case of 12 big bottles. Fresh to another 6mos :-)

A - hazy copper orange in color. Head is big and pillow like. Lacing very nicely.

S - caramel and butterscotch are dominant. Hint of iron. Very sweet malt aroma.

T - sweet caramel and toffee. Strong hop bitterness to counter the aggressive sweetness. Finishes sweet but not cloyingly so. A burnt toffee finish.

M - full bodied. High finishing gravity. Subtle alcohol warmth. Mild carbonation.

O - wow, hard to find big fresh aggressive British ales and this is one of them. I'm going to wipe the store out of them :-)

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 23:32:50 | More by GregBlatz

MatthewWilde

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sample: 1 bottle 2005 (aged 7 years)

A: Very minimal head even upon pour, some decent lacing, moderate internal carbonation, dark red-orange in color

S: Dried fruit, some citrus, touches of sweetness throughout, even notes of chocolate

T: Flavor mirrors the scent, definite fruitiness, seems a bit passed its prime in terms of flavor intensity, some alcohol and nice light cocoa finish though

M: Very smooth, tastes almost light, easy to drink, aftertaste not lingering or overpowering at all

O: A great aged beer, still some nice elements despite the fact that this is certainly over-aged

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 03:42:34 | More by MatthewWilde

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Samuel Smiths pint glass.

Pours a dark amber coolour with a decent head and some lacing.

Smells strongly of alcohol. Got a cold so can't make out much else.

Tastes strongly alcoholic too, the main drawback. As it lessens the complex tastes of spices, bitter hops and dark malts.

Overall a nice ale, but would be better if it's strength was covered up more.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 16:40:14 | More by CwrwAmByth

Giggy

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark amber to copper colored. 2 finger tan head after the pour. Head lasts and aspects of the foam lingers to the finish.

S: Heaven. Rich caramel. Roasted malts. Spices. Nutmeg. Slight citrus.

T: Smooth and rich. Slightly bitter yet has a well rounded dark malt taste. Fruity and hoppy.

M: Dry finish. Medium body. Creamy.

O: Nice beer, well balanced. Nice comfort beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 22:51:28 | More by Giggy

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a nice, pretty clear, caramel-red with half a finger of off-white head.

Smell. Light molasses and toasty grain, honey and a little light fruit.

Taste. Molasses, toasty grain, caramel and a little bit of bitter, earthy hops.

Mouthfeel. Medium body with medium+ carbonation.

Overall. Nice bigger beer that doesn't demand a lot of attention. Good casual drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:25:28 | More by Rutager

EmperorBevis

United Kingdom (England)

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

New bottle pour technique produces a mahogany body with thick tight white head that sticks.

Aromas of leather, shaving soap, dairy fudge and tapioca.

Rich deep taste, the 100 day bottle conditioning shines through like nobodies business, toffee, cream fight on your tongue with malts and hints of ginger.
In comes a real brewers mash tasting hop and leaves on a bitter note.

Thick, Thick chewy mouthfeel low perfect carb

gorgeous ale, real end of dinner/night drink.

Now repeat in cockney accent

Lav - a - ley!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 23:14:21 | More by EmperorBevis