Beer 156 - Fullers 1845

First drunk on December 10, 2010

Brewed and bottled by Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC, London's only remaining traditional family brewery. Bought at Spec's downtown Houston and drunk at home in Katy after an afternoon shopping for gif ts and prizes to be used at the Car Care Christmas party.

Second bottle drunk on August 24, 2011

4 stars out of 5.

Bought and given to me by my friend and colleague Angela for a .little help I gave her compiling some data and drunk at home in Katy, TX while preparing baked salmon filets with broccoli and cheese sauce and steamed red cabbage for dinner.

Fullers we site is: http://www.fullers.co.uk/

The web site says "Tasting notes.
1845 is a 6.3% ABV bottle conditioned beer, which means that it is the absolute pinnacle of bottled beers and is the closest to cask. Bottle conditioning is a demanding art; knowledge and skill are needed at every stage in the process. A tiny residue of yeast is allowed to ferment in the bottle, developing character and depth of flavour over time just as fine vintage wines do.

To ensure this magnificent ale reaches perfection, 1845 is matured for at least 100 days before being released for sale. During this time the rich fruity characteristics of the beer are enhanced, while the well-rounded malt flavours create a wonderfully balanced ale. Given this, it's no surprise that the philosophy of our brewers is that perfection cannot be hurried.

Roger Protz, beer writer and critic, describes 1845 as 'a rich beer with a fruit cake aroma, spices and nutmeg from malt and hops resulting in a dry, fruity finish'. It is also bottle conditioned, which means it is live beer which continues to ferment in bottle, adding to the complex development of flavours."

I could not agree more.  This beer was delicious, rich, full bodied and very tasty.  I liked it a lot.
Both times.

The 1,219 drinkers at RateBeer.com who have posted reviews on this beer really like it a lot.  (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fullers-1845/294/ ) They give it an average score of 3.79 which puts it in the 99^th percentile of all beers and the 100^th percentile in its class of English Strong Ale.

BeerAdvocate.com is only slightly less enthusiastic.  The 607 reviewers gave it an average score of 4.12 (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/71/560 ) qualifying it for an A- = excellent.