The Bar Towel

tyke66a wrote:Sam Smiths Winter WELCOME should be a there somewhere because we've had it since 1994...such a regular so not on the list of new Christmas beers. It has more bite than the pale ale and as a Yorkshireman, is one of my favourites

Also notably missing is Fuller's Vintage Ale. That must be coming back, right?

Yeah forgot about that. The fullers vintage has been sorely lacking in stock around these parts for the last 2-3 years. I don't think I've been able to score one the last two years.

sofakingdrunk wrote:Yeah forgot about that. The fullers vintage has been sorely lacking in stock around these parts for the last 2-3 years. I don't think I've been able to score one the last two years.

Ditto. I haven't seen any FVA around here in at least 4 years anyhow. Although to be fair I don't live in a major metro area.

Was going to mention Fullers Vintage as well but beaten to it by gentlemen of good taste! With Sam's Winter Welcome and boxes of Fullers Vintage Ale most of my Christmas shopping is taken care of. Cheers. :

what about Chocolate Manifesto by Flying monkeys? is it returning to the LCBO this year? I don't think I have ever seen it on a LCBO release list.

darmokandjalad wrote:

sofakingdrunk wrote:Yeah forgot about that. The fullers vintage has been sorely lacking in stock around these parts for the last 2-3 years. I don't think I've been able to score one the last two years.

Ditto. I haven't seen any FVA around here in at least 4 years anyhow. Although to be fair I don't live in a major metro area.

That's a shame, darmokandjald. I'm in Sudbury and we're always very well stocked with FVA. If it does make a comeback this year, at least we have online ordering to fall back on.

Fullers Vintage is part of this as well, there were a few beers that got cropped out of my original post

Just had Kaiser and Drangon's Milk from the Yonge and Highway 7 location. They also had the Chimay gift pack (red, white, blue and glass) and Fuller's Vintage. Kaiser tastes as good as ever, though its a sweet desert beer to be sure and I'm so glad we have glassware back at the LCBO. From what I saw, the Chimay chalice looks bigger and meatier than the one we had several years ago,

Is there a way to find stock availability online for the Christmas beers? If I recall they don't show up online but maybe I'm wrong. Would be nice to see where they are rather than going to the stores hoping the ones I want are there.

Picked up a case of 2017 Fullers Vintage Ale in Ottawa today. Lots of repeat Christmas packs out already ie Historic Scottish Ales (no Kelpie?) St Bernie pack, Belhaven pack, and singles such as Greene King Festive Pudding, Shep Neame Christmas and Wychwood Ba Humbug.

tyke66a wrote:Picked up a case of 2017 Fullers Vintage Ale in Ottawa today. Lots of repeat Christmas packs out already ie Historic Scottish Ales (no Kelpie?) St Bernie pack, Belhaven pack, and singles such as Greene King Festive Pudding, Shep Neame Christmas and Wychwood Ba Humbug.

A case? Wow, you must be devoted. I find Fullers is good, but a bit pricey and lately they've been having some off years. My typical procedure is to try one or two and a few more if it's amazing, with the hints of marmalade and biscuits I'm fond of their earlier vintages for.

tyke66a wrote:Picked up a case of 2017 Fullers Vintage Ale in Ottawa today. Lots of repeat Christmas packs out already ie Historic Scottish Ales (no Kelpie?) St Bernie pack, Belhaven pack, and singles such as Greene King Festive Pudding, Shep Neame Christmas and Wychwood Ba Humbug.

Does anyone actually buy the Ba Humbug....it's pretty terrible imo, but we get it every damn year.

sofakingdrunk wrote:Does anyone actually buy the Ba Humbug....it's pretty terrible imo, but we get it every damn year.

its a novelty beer for those of us that aren't too fond of Christmas
I buy one every year to put on my desk at work ... can't remember the last time i actually drank it, though

Lukie wrote:

tyke66a wrote:Picked up a case of 2017 Fullers Vintage Ale in Ottawa today.

A case? Wow, you must be devoted. I find Fullers is good, but a bit pricey and lately they've been having some off years. My typical procedure is to try one or two and a few more if it's amazing, with the hints of marmalade and biscuits I'm fond of their earlier vintages for.

It's pretty marmalade-y and a fine brew. But I hardly need more than a few having tried it.

The Vintage Ale costs £6 ($10) at the brewery so we get a deal at $7.85; it keeps and improves with age, best before 2027; I give some as Christmas presents and my 2005 rare bottles are selling at the brewery shop for £300 so it appreciates every year. It's a decent pint in my opinion.