Fullers 2007 Vintage Ale Tenth Anniversary Limited Edition Craft Beer 50 cl 8,5%

A stone's throw from the Thames in Chiswick, a beer was bottled in 2007 that was never meant to be drunk in a hurry. It has been sitting quietly in the dark ever since, doing its work. Yeast, malt and time. Nothing more needed.

Expert description of Fullers 2007 Vintage Ale Tenth Anniversary Limited Edition Old Ale Beer

Fuller's has brewed a new Vintage Ale every year since 1997, and the 2007 edition marks exactly ten years of the series. Head brewer John Keeling picked English Fuggles and Target alongside Slovenian Super Styrian hops, all built on classic Maris Otter malt and the brewery's own house yeast. The backbone is closely related to Fuller's Golden Pride, but Vintage Ale is unpasteurised and bottle conditioned. After fermentation it rests for a month at the brewery before being dosed with fresh yeast in the bottle, which is what lets it keep evolving for years.

Every bottle comes in its own gift box and carries an individual number, with just 150,000 made of this anniversary release. The label says best before 2010, but that's a legal requirement, nothing more. Fuller's themselves said it would improve with age like a fine wine or whisky. Now closing in on two decades, you can taste it. The fruit has darkened, the sweetness has softened, and there's a port-like edge that simply wasn't there at launch. Like any old bottle, each one has lived its own life, so a little variation comes with the territory.

Tasting notes

Nose

When young, the brewery described spicy hops and rich fruit. Time has added caramel, roasted chestnuts and something that reads a lot like old whisky, even though this beer has never been near a cask. Behind it sit dates and a hint of port.

Palate

Malty and fruity with a soft, creamy body. Dates, dark cherries and stewed prunes lead, followed by raisins, walnut and toasted bread. Picture a fruit loaf fresh out of the oven, just at 8.5 percent.

Finish

Surprisingly clean for a beer of this weight. Butterscotch and a vinous warmth fade out slowly, while a gentle herbal hop bitterness keeps everything in balance.

Specifications

Name: Fullers 2007 Vintage Ale Tenth Anniversary Limited Edition
Brewery: Fuller's Griffin Brewery
Country/Region: England, Chiswick in London
Beer style: Old Ale
ABV: 8.5%
IBU: 40
Size: 50 CL
Hops: Fuggles, Target and Super Styrian
Malt: Maris Otter
Fermentation: Top fermented and bottle conditioned
Ingredients: Maris Otter malted barley, hops and yeast
Allergens: Barley
Shelf life: Can be cellared for many years stored upright, cool and dark
Best before date: End of 2010 as stated on the label
EAN no.: 5011885010096
Serving suggestion: Cellar temperature around 12°C in a tulip glass, poured gently so the sediment stays in the bottle

Flavour profile

Malty · Fruity · Caramel · Vinous · Nutty · Spicy

Did you know?

The label still reads Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. The brewery stayed in family hands from 1845 right up until 2019, when it was sold to Japan's Asahi. So this bottle was brewed while the families behind the name were still running the coppers in Chiswick.

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Frequently asked questions about Fullers Vintage Ale 2007

What does Fullers Vintage Ale 2007 taste like today?

Darker and rounder than it did on release. The spicy hops have stepped back, leaving dates, prunes, caramel and a port-like sweetness to take over. This is a beer for sipping, not knocking back.

Is Fullers Vintage Ale 2007 worth the money?

Yes, if you enjoy aged beer or collect the Vintage Ale series. It's the tenth anniversary edition of one of England's best known beers for cellaring, numbered and in its original box, and there are fewer of them every year. Treat it as an occasion rather than an everyday beer.

Can you still drink the beer when it says best before 2010?

Yes, the date is a legal requirement rather than a sign it's past its best. Fuller's compared Vintage Ale to wine and whisky because the live yeast in the bottle keeps it developing. Stored properly, it's still in good shape.

How should I store Vintage Ale 2007?

Upright, cool and dark. Upright so the sediment settles at the bottom and the cap stays clear of the beer. The gift box also keeps light out, so leave it in there.

What temperature and glass should I use?

Around 12°C, which is cellar temperature. A tulip glass or one of our Birrateque beer glasses will gather the aroma and let the dark fruit come through. Pour slowly and leave the last centimetre in the bottle.

What goes well with an aged Vintage Ale?

Mature cheese is the obvious pick, say a sharp Cheddar or a good blue. It also works with Christmas cake or fruit loaf, where the dried fruit plays off the beer. Or just have it on its own after dinner, the way you would a glass of port.

Does it make a good gift?

It's practically made for it. The bottle is numbered, sits in its own gift box, and the vintage makes it a personal touch for a 2007 birthday or anniversary. Just bear in mind the box may show its age.

Who are Fuller's?

Fuller's is one of London's oldest breweries and has been brewing at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick since 1845. It's best known for London Pride and ESB, but the Vintage Ale series is the brewery's pride among collectors. Asahi has owned the brewery since 2019.