Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: Fuller's IPA
Posted by Barry on 2013-10-22 08:45:58
While doing the grocery shop in our local Tesco, by some kind of magic, my attention was caught by the beer shelves - wonder why when all those lovely groceries and household goods were on display.

And, right at the front of the shelf, there was a bottle - only one - of Fuller's IPA, which then, somehow, found its way into my trolley.  This should surprise you all as it is not my practice to buy beer from this retailer as it tends to be overpriced (remember the Duvel scandal of yesteryear?) and, usually, not very interesting.  But a Fuller's IPA just begged to be tried.

A couple of night's later (had to wait because on top of everything else, it was bottle conditioned!), it was off with the top and into the glass.  Firstly, a nice hoppy aroma - J. said Cascade but it didn't really smell Cascade-y - more like an English hop.  More it important, it tasted pretty good; not too strong, a nice 5.3% (I know, too strong for you, Nick, but it was only 1 bottle) and very refreshing.  There was no indication of the hop type or anything else on the bottle nor did it appear on Fuller's fairly comprehensive website.  So, it contacted them by email.

The answer has just come back:
 
  • This historic style of ale was originally created to refresh the troops at the height of the British Empire in India.
  • This brew has faithfully recreated these traditional characteristics, creating a superbly refreshing beer.
  • Brewed to 5.3%
  • India Pale Ale is a bottle conditioned beer, Bottle conditioning is a process whereby a small amount of yeast is allowed to ferment gently in the bottle, giving this beer the fresh,natural flavour of real ale.
  • Pale amber in colour, its rich malty flavour gives way to a powerful hop bitterness and bite, derived from plenty of Goldings hops in the brew.
Yes!  I knew it, an IPA made with proper English hops.  Ok, so I know that they are also grown in the US but, still, even US Goldings are an English variety.

Sorry for this outbreak of patriotism (quite unlike my normal self) but, IMHO, this is a true English IPA as I remember it from the dim, distant past.  If you get a chance, give it a try, don't think that you'll be disappointed - even at the outrageous price of €3.
 
Followups:
   OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by Nick B. on  2013-10-23 00:51:35
     OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by barry on  2013-10-23 11:38:18
       OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by DonS on  2013-10-23 13:42:43
         OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by Uncle Jimbo on  2013-10-23 17:39:23
           OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by Nick B. on  2013-10-23 23:52:53
             OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by barry on  2013-10-24 01:42:26
       Post-post-modern IPA by Nick B.  on  2013-10-24 01:38:14
               OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by DonS on  2013-10-24 07:06:43
         OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by mike004 on  2013-10-24 11:23:06
                 OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by barry on  2013-10-25 01:48:54
                   OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by DonS on  2013-10-25 07:27:32
                     OT: Fuller's IPA (and c-word rantings) by barry on  2013-10-25 08:26:45