Originally published in What’s Brewing July 2002
Origin: Chiswick, London, England, UK
ABV: 6.3%
Buy from: most supermarkets, Fuller’s pubs and off licenses
Fuller's 1845
Alongside its renowned cask conditioned ales, the Griffin brewery for years offered only pasteurised beers in bottle. Then to celebrate the 150th birthday in 1995 Fuller’s brewers looked for inspiration to the brewing practices of the early days, coming up with a high-gravity bottle-conditioned brew that included amber malt and only Goldings hops. The beer, named 1845, hit the spot in terms of both quality and marketing: the combination of a well-loved brand with a ‘natural’ bottled product proved especially appealing to supermarkets. 1845 is now a member of the regular Fuller’s range and one of the most widely-distributed BCAs in Britain, also occasionally available in draught form.
Served cool, not chilled, and poured clear as advised on the label, the beer emerges a rich tawny brown with a sunny amber tinge, very little head, and an invitingly biscuity and malty fruit loaf aroma. The palate is full of juicy and nutty malt, with the biscuity quality of the amber malt to the fore. Briefly toffee-sweet, it soon dries with plenty of tasty, peppery and slightly astringent hops over subtle mallowy fruit. The hoppiness becomes quite intense and bitter in the finish, but is softened by fruity malt and spicy hints of nutmeg or cinnamon. This big but superbly balanced and very drinkable revivalist ale also has some ageing potential: best before dates are set a year after bottling and it’s worth experimenting with cellaring at least that long for a mellower result.
Try also: Brakspear Vintage Henley, Young’s Special London Ale (BCA version), Palm Aerts 1900 (Belgium)
Read more at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fullers-1845/294/
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