Eldridge Pope Thomas Hardys Ale (all vintages to 1999)

Formerly brewed at Eldridge Pope
Style: Barley Wine
Dorchester,, England

Bottle 29861, 1986 Vintage. More alcoholic and less complexity than other vintage English strong ales--the same day SilkTork, Duff, and I had actually drank a 1981 commemorative Adnams Prince’s Ale from the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana, and I think that actually had as much or more interest, though this is all a spoils of riches. Very sweet flavor, building aggressively. Soy sauce and balsalmic venior, plus licorice. Front to back, less variation in the flavors. Red, maroon, brown colors. Challenging but not captivating. Thanks to SilkTork for sharing! (8-4-6-3-14) // Rate of 1993: Toasted, dark, slightly hazy, dark. Roasted, rich aroma, all about malt. Amazing, cork & chocolate. Perfectly smooth. (7-4-9-5-17). Thanks to the Ale Atlanta group for sharing. Current rating is an average.

It was the holiday season in 93 or 94, and a friend brought over what I think was a four pack of this. Didn't really care for it at the time as it seemed syrupy and maybe just a little too much. But I stuck one of them in the frige, and it has been there ever since. I guess this would be the "lagered" version. Slight hiss when I opened it with aroma of blackberry jam and cranberries. Color of brandy but the resemblance ends there. No head but still very lightly carbonated. Has the rich flavor of cherries and prunes with a warmth that begins in the sinus area and lingers all the way down. I suppose if it is vinous at all it might resemble a fine old sherry, but it is much more than that. The finish was looooong and malty with a subdued hop presence, and it slowly faded away. This one blew me away, and there I was thinking that after 10 years it would be undrinkable. 1993 with No. H40391.

1982 vintage

Had this at Kulminator in Antwerp on 5-14-03 for 6.50 EURO(about $7.00)! Pours deep reddish brown with no head. Aroma is intense. It has an "old" musty funk to it. I also smell rusting metal, hay, slight chocolate and malt. The taste has an almost medicinal like quality but also strong alcohol notes along with a light licorice and peppermint hint as well. Finishes a little harsh with an edge or bite to it. Not as smooth as I would have hoped, but enjoyable nonetheless! However, will rerate per each vintage and average the numbers out.

1983 vintage

Had this at my buddies wedding this evening(10-25-03). WOW! Pours a slightly hazed reddish brown. Has a syrupy sweet nose with molasses and maraschino cherries dominant. The tongue is overwhelmed with flavors ranging from molasses, apples and toffee, to Calvados(apple brandy), Medeira and caramel. The mouthfeel was exquisite. It had a velvety smooth feel with a slightly acidic and dry finish. Magnificent beer!

1995 Vintage

Bottle from the Brickskeller on 11-13-05. I ended up with this as one of my freebies (see my Places review for the info on that). Poured a lifeless murky brown. Nose was rich caramel, chocolate covered cherries and a bit of alcohol. Some oxidation in the nose on this one. Dried apple notes as well. Taste brings forth more chocolate covered cherries, chewy sweet malts, rish caramel and light alcohol. Very tasty! Body is silky smooth but almost flat. It has also thinned a bit, surprisingly. Finishes very sweet with more of the initial flavors from the taste - caramel, chocolate and alcohol with sweet malts. Lighter apple coming through as well as a hint of toffee. Very nice beer!

1993 Vintage. Very dark amber/ruby w/ almost no carbonation. Malty, fruity, vinous nose w/ some spice. Thick & chewy. Very malty (molasses, caramel) w/ notes of dried dark fruit, brandy, & oak. Finish is moderately bitter w/ moderate alcohol presence.

So much more complex flavor than the swill I've been sampling, but some disturbing similarities in taste (too sweetness) and color (mud red - just like the clay banks of my pond). Nontheless, the astonishing full round mouthfeel saves this thing from associating too long with the likes of Pete's Red Rush. That and the fact that the flavors keep on giving - maple twigs and brandy, peaches in some flaming liquor, some pleasant spiciness.

1991 Vintage: This brew pours with a cloudy amber body topped by a thin head with little lacing. The flavor is sweet, caramelly and malty with alcohol notes. The flavor is slightly sweet and malty with notes of caramel and toffee with a slight alcoholness. Full bodied, smooth and tingly. 1993 Vintage: Flows into the glass with a beautiful red brown/mohagony body topped by a medium thick head with a good amount of lace left on the glass. Sweet and fruity malt aroma with a strong alcohol presence and an off aroma that I can't identify. Smells similar to brandy. Sweet Malty flavor with caramel notes and fruity accent. Alcohol has a strong presence in this beer. Full bodied, Tingling and warming.

I was lucky enough to sample several vintages of the TH. 1998: had and almost cotton candy finish with cherry overtones and a bit of a bite at the end. 1997: no fruitiness whatsover, much faster finish, and much more buttery/malty 1995: VERY mature, hearty, broad, danced over the tongue. Vanilla overtones and a general goodness deep down inside.

I´m sad to hear that this beer no longer exists, try the brewery´s home page. They won´t even answer the telephones. My visit at the brewery in 1989 resulted in a couple of bottles from the eightys my last bottles are from 1988, and I still find it a bit strange to define as a beer. Very much like port, sweet in the nose, amber and thick like syrup but so rich of aromas and full of tastes.