Fuller’s Vintage Ale is a special beer for many, and John Keeling is no exception. And recently he had the opportunity to take this revered beverage on the road for a number of tastings across the UK. This is how he got on.
I have talked about Vintage Ale in the past. In those pieces I explained the reason why and how Fuller’s came to brew these beers.
I talked about how we choose the ingredients each year and how we brew and process this beer for aging.
Indeed, one of my points was the importance of time on the development of flavour in these beers.
Unfortunately, because of the rarity and price of these beers not everybody gets the chance to try different ages released over the years.
I have done a number of vertical tastings of the Vintage Ale, but these have been mainly for beer writers and influencers.
I have always wanted to take Vintage Ale out to tastings for people who are interested in them or just interested in Fuller’s as a brewery.
Unfortunately, because of the rarity and price of these beers not everybody gets the chance to try different ages released over the years.
I have done a number of vertical tastings of the Vintage Ale, but these have been mainly for beer writers and influencers.
I have always wanted to take Vintage Ale out to tastings for people who are interested in them or just interested in Fuller’s as a brewery.
I was discussing this in Edinburgh with my friend Chris Mair and whether it could be done. I had in fact done one of these at The Hanging Bat some years ago when Chris ran the pub.
This came about because Chris was up for it and Fuller’s were willing to support this despite the beers being rare and valuable.
I remember the evening going very well and Chris had got a good crowd of people in. Mind you, drinking 8.5% beer all evening is usually conducive to a good time.
I wondered if other places would like to do these tasting. Chris immediately said yes and straight away got the ball rolling.
Mind you, drinking 8.5% beer all evening is usually conducive to a good time
John Keeling.
Chris contacted a couple of breweries – North Brewing in Leeds as well as Wiper and True in Bristol. Both were very enthusiastic, and this now meant I had to do something about this.
I had to persuade Asahi to supply the beer free to the tastings and to do that I had to get them to understand the value of doing this, too.
Well, that turned out to be no problem at all, Asahi thought it was a great idea and Ben Aisbitt who is my contact immediately started looking at the Vintage stock levels to see which were the best ones for the tasting.
I thought that we should do a warm-up tasting in Edinburgh which is where Chris is based, Chris suggested Cloisters should host and we booked a date with them.
Ben was going to supply Vintages 2022, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2000 and 1999. I suggested sending some cask beer, to see if Fuller’s was still popular in Edinburgh. So, Ben put a firkin of ESB, London Pride and IPA on the order.
Cloisters managed to get 22 people to buy a ticket so there were no more excuses, and I booked my tickets and hotel. Ben and his wife came along, too.
It was a great event; and these events really are made by the people that turn up. One person, Craig Garvey, was at the original tasing at the Hanging Bat. I noticed that the Fuller’s cask beer was going down well too, and some people were taking pictures of the pump clips!
The next day we went to the brewery to make the collab. So, I was able to have a cup of tea, a couple of pints and a pizza whilst the brewers did the work.
I am sure my words of encouragement were a great inspiration to them. The beer turned out to be really good too which shows that me looking over everybody’s shoulder really works.
Unfortunately for the next event in Bristol at Wiper and True Guy could not join me. So, I had to fly solo for this one.
Again, Chris had gone straight to the top and had asked Michael Wiper who had readily agreed to host an event.
We were booked in at the Wiper and True Barrel store at St Werburgh and it had sold out. No pressure then but remember 8.5% beer is very conducive to a good time. Great crowd and a great event.
The next day I had a great tour of the brewery. I can say that both breweries North and Wiper and True were spotless and great examples for good design. No wonder they make great beer.
Next, Beverly who is The Fuller’s Brewery Shop Manager contacted me and asked if I would do a tasting with Guy at the shop.
Naturally I said yes. The event was really well organised with each table having cheese and ham to try with the beer too.
I must admit the Chiswick audience was the politest but maybe that was because the beer demanded their full attention – it certainly wasn’t the ability of the presenters.
I will have to find some more breweries who can host these events. Have beer will travel is my new motto.
