Advent Day 9: Old Winter Ale

Seasonal Old Ale

ABV: 5.3%

Fullers Old Winter Ale is described on the bottle as a warming winter ale and it can function as that, but would definitely not be my first choice. The usual off-white head, though there isn’t much of it and it disappeared quickly, this beer has a solid brown colouring to it and certainly looks good in a glass. The nose is complex and I found myself having having trouble describing it. There was a sharp fruity (pear is what I think of) sweet / sour smell to it accompanied by caramel and liquorice to back it up. The body is just as full of flavour with the sweetness hinted at the forefront but a smooth malty finish and a touch of bitterness in between. I do get some dry chocolaty and earthiness in the malty flavour as well. The mouth feel is very thick, making this a slow sipper.

Rating: 3/5 – While interesting and complex with an interesting balance between sweet and smooth, the bitterness at the end doesn’t sit right for me.

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