Thomas Hardy's Ale (2003 - 2008)
Hanlons Brewery in Exeter, Devon, England 🏴
Traditional Beer - Old Ale Regular Out of Production|
Score
7.93
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Scarce, subtle and complex, Thomas Hardy’s Ale is the beer enthusiast’s equivalent of rare cognac. Bottle-conditioned to mature in the bottle like fine wine, this old ale/barley wine will improve with age for at least 26 years (and we’re still counting!). Not for the faint of palate, especially when young and brash, maturity brings an elegance of flavors unmatched by any other beer—if you have the patience to cellar it for at least a decade.
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10/10
Oh my! Lovely aged barley wine. Tonnes of dark dried fruits. Dates, plums, figs and raisins. Prominent sherry alcohol. Orange chocolate.
Tried
on 10 Feb 2016
at 20:35
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Bottle @ home. Vintage 2007. Hazy red/brown colour, no foam. Vinous, port, plums, brown sugar. Some oxidation. Sweet and weak. Hard to beleive this is 11.7%. Good but I think the best of this beer is already gone.
Tried
from Bottle
on 31 Dec 2015
at 09:29
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
From an 8.5 oz bottle shared at home. Vintage 2008. Pours a clear amber with a feint off white head. Aroma of caramel and butterscotch. Flavors of toffee and coffee. Smooth finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Dec 2015
at 19:06
9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 10
Bottle, vintage 2005 (shared by fatphil, thanks). Aroma is sweet, spices, home made black bread, malt, dark chocolate. Flavor is sweet, home made bread, malt, caramel, some spices. No sign of alcohol. Overall: great brew.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Dec 2015
at 17:29
7/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
250ml bottle (v2005) courtesy of skullgeorge at the Hoppy Pub, Thessaloniki. Copper brown color with no head. Malty aroma, caramel, chocolate, fruity, dark dried fruits, wood, alcohol - brandy - sherry. Sweet taste like aroma but better. Medium to full oily to sticky body with flat carbonation.
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Nov 2015
at 03:58
9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
Bottle from Darts Farm, Exeter. 250ml bottle of the 2008 vintage. Deep ruby brown, with no real head. Deep rich fruity aroma with an almost brandy like warmth. Taste is lightly sweet with a warming light alcohol finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 25 Oct 2015
at 16:43
9/10
Tried
on 31 Aug 2015
at 14:47
9/10
Tried
on 31 Aug 2015
at 14:47
9/10
Tried
on 31 Aug 2015
at 14:47
9/10
Tried
on 31 Aug 2015
at 14:47