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Thomas Hardy's Ale

VivreManger

By VivreManger
in Beer & Cider

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VivreManger

VivreManger

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I have three bottles of Thomas Hardy's Ale, two from 1995 and one from 1994. I bought them a few years ago and they have been stored in my cellar whose temperature ranges from about 45 to 50 (f) in the winter and as high as 70 plus in the summer. The bottle's label claims that 55 (f) is the optimal storage temperature and that the beer will improve with age, maturing "like a fine wine". It is supposed to last for at least 25 years. I have probably had it for at least 5 to 7.

I did a quick search in this forum and found no discussion of the beer. For the record it is a barley malt, hops, yeast, and water only brew, produced by Eldridge, Pope & Co. in Dorset, England.

I am curious if anybody else has ever tried this beer or has heard of it. If there is any expertise out there, any advice as to how best to enjoy it. I suspect that it is a winter beer and should be drunk at about 55 (f), certianly not fridge-chilled to 35/40 (f).

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AdamLawrence

AdamLawrence

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Thomas Hardy Ale is a legendary brew among UK beery circles. Eldridge Pope has changed hands in recent years, becoming (I think) a pubco and selling off the brewery; I am not sure if the beer is produced any more, on contract or whatever.

I haven't had it for years, but it will be a dark, probably quite sweet, old ale/barley wine type of brew. Could be excellent with very good cheddar cheese. Cellarwise, I think it should be fine.

I'll have a quick flick through some of my beer books and magazines to get some more up to date information and report back.

Adam

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VivreManger

VivreManger

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Did a Google search and came up with many links of which the most interesting were

http://www.allaboutbeer.com/news/world/97hardy.html

http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-001097.html

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/177/3267/

This is Barley Wine Style Ale comparable to Anchor Old Foghorn, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot.

Stephen Beaumont tasted a 1994 vintage Hardy Ale a few weeks ago and felt it could use a few more years of aging.

http://worldofbeer.com/ktt/hardys.html

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