I've had oh sooo many of these!! I've had them from many different year dates too. I LOVED Fuller's Vintage and it was *the* beer that started me on beer connoisseuring. I started at 26 years old, 12 years ago. I had it at dinner in a Scottish restaurant in NYC (St. Andrews) with a steak and the pairing was godly. I'd seen it on the menu and didn't even know beers were ever vintaged so I took a chance and ordered it. I walked out thinking I need to check out more beers and it went from there. And now... I make my own!
I don't know how that will taste 6 years later, honestly I think it may not be so great. But, I hope it held up and tastes awesome. Oh hey, if you want a similar taste without the Vintage label Fuller's 1845 is a good alternative. It's not the same of course but it's rather close IMO. Funny too because right now I have an English Ale fermenting that I made not to clone but inspired by Fuller's London Pride. I've even passed by their brewery in England a few times... on the way back to the airport
I was given a recipe to mod the Cooper's English bitter can that's supposed to taste like Fuller's ESB. Gotta look in my PM's. That bottle looks like it'll be great.
Well, I opened it tonight. Definitely a beer for a special occasion, but as I didn't have any special occasions in the near future, tonight works and beer is a special occasion in itself, is it not.
I'm pleased with how this beer has held up. I wish I at least had one more bottle.
I had the 2011 not to long ago,It was pricey but it also was pretty good. I think what they imply even on the back of the box is that they preferr you to age it up to 2 yrs.