Vintage ale 2026 is here!
All of our Vintage Ales are very special bottle conditioned beers. We’ve created a new recipe every year since 1997, picking the best ingredients at the time, to make a strong beer with a complex character.
Find out more about the heritage of our Vintage Ales here.
Jester, Dolcita
Extra Dark Crystal
Vintage Ale 2026 features a blend of modern hop varieties. Jester from the Old World, delivering citrus & stone fruit notes. Dolcita from the New World giving influences of Peach, Berry & Orange.
We always state a best before date, the flavours will continue to develop for many more years. A natural sediment will form, so store upright and pour carefully.
Overall rating: 4.968254 / 5 from 63 reviews.
Fuller's Vintage Ale 2026 is a special bottle-conditioned beer with a complex character, praised for its quality and investment value. Customers highly recommend it as one of the best carbonated ales available.
Review topics: [delivery, service, beer, ale, taste, brew, bottle, drink, experience].
"This is the best time of year, as it is when this year’s Vintage Ale is released. As usual (although usual is not a word that should really used for this ale), it is superb! The problem is buying it in sufficient quantities. “I’ll just try one”, becomes “I’ll have to try another one, especially as I’ve got a new glass to go with it”. I suppose I’ll have to invest in another few. Excellent work, Fullers!"
"Once again Fullers produce the annual Vintage Ale and as ever, what a fantastic beer. I was fortunate to try it on draft at the brewery shop yesterday and it is simply awesome"
"Haven’t tried it yet but going by all the previous years, I’ve tasted nearly all of them, I’m certainly in for a treat. I’ve got almost the full set of unopened bottles. How would I go about filling in the missing years? I haven’t got, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2017. Do you hold past years that you release for sale? Thank you Fullers for your excellent beers!"
"As ever, the annual treat of Vintage Ale does not disappoint. The nose has overtones of liquorice for me. The beer is typically malt forward in Fuller's style, this time with caramel predominant, and an almost mushroom/truffle umami hint. I tend to drink one in the year of production, then wait a few years before trying it again, as they invariably age well. Already a smooth, lovely pint, this promises to be worth the wait!"
"Great taste comparable to the 2025 vintage, relatively sweet fulsome flavours that linger on the tastebuds inviting another taste. Good time of the year to enjoy a good beer as the nights draw in settling down with a good book to read."
"I buy a case every year. I drink one bottle and compare to one of a previous year. Then keep the rest safe to age. Had a bottle of 1999 to compare with the 2025. Not tried this years yet built I know it won’t disappoint"
"This years ale is quite different from its predecessor of 2025, and there is quite a lively taste on the opening which mellows out a somewhat caramelised malt flavour. I have drunk one bottle now and laid one aside for future drinking. I expect the flavour to enhance further."
"I have bought Vintage Ale to enjoy over Christmas since 1998. Many bottles given to friends. From 2007 I have usually put a couple of bottles away. This year will be no different."
"I've been buying Fuller's Vintage Ale for quite a few years now. They are always something very special and a wonderful treat to look forward to. I usually buy a couple of bottles and have them on a special occasion, usually around Christmas time."
"I look forward to the annual release of Vintage Ale every year and always open one immediately. Then, being fortunate to have a store of older bottles, compare it with one at least 10 years older. Yes, this is another 'keeper' and will join others in my cellar. My biggest problem? Just when to enjoy them! At 78 years, they will likely outlast me!!"
