Eldridge Pope Thomas Hardy’s Ale (all vintages to 1999)

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

Serve in Snifter

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Part of a vertical. 1994 and 1999 (along with 2003 and 2008 under the other rating). Huge huge thanks to sflpunk for these. The ’94 is showing clear signs of oxidation on the nose, but still is quite nice, with notes of molasses, prune, fig, caramel, and just a touch of cardboard- that’s the only part of the oxidation that is detrimental. The nose of the ’99 is much brighter and has far less oxidation evident, and has an intriguing combination of apricot, butterscotch, apple crisp- much much brighter. Appearance also worth noting- the 99 is completely clear, the 94 substantially more murky. On to the flavor. ’94 is actually spectacular; comes in waves on the tongue, with dark tobacco, chocolate ganache, port wine, cognac, rich caramel and molasses, and some delightful bready tones that lighten it up just enough to not be overwhelming. The palate is sweet and lush for the most part, though I think much longer waiting on this one and it will start to thin out. No carbonation whatsoever. The ’99 is COMPLETELY different. Much much more aggressive, with some carbonation that came seemingly out of nowhere, huge fruit notes of nectarine, apricot, and plum mix with molasses, leather, and hugely vibrant booze tones. Mouthfeel holds a supple, luxuriously low level of carbonation that is just present enough... to be outstanding. It is hard to pick which one I like more because they contrast each other in nearly every facet. The numbers: 1994 --> 8, 4, 9, 4, 18 = 4.3 - - - 1999 --> 9, 4, 9, 5, 18 = 4.5. I’ll rate the higher of the two, because they really both deserve it. What an experience.

Bottle. 1993 vintage thanks to Owen, Pours a dark copper with very minimal cream coloured head. Briallant nose of dark stone fruits. Plenty of malt sweetness, vegemite and alcohol showing through also. Great stuff. Amazing flavours. Lots of sweetness which seems to be balanced brilliantly by acidic sourness. Very sherry like. Alcohol shows through near the finish. Fullish mouthfeel. Brilliant beer which has aged wonderfully.

UPDATED: JUL 21, 2011 Nip Bottle thanks to Hop Cat at RBSG 10. This was the 1986 vintage. Pours a mildly petillant deep ruddy brown red. Minimal head. On nose, full of raisins and prunes, deep fruit, perfumey alcohol and pleasant deep bread notes as well. An amazing aroma for sure. On tasting, creamy and lush, like a PX sherry. Rich and vinous with more plum and molasses. intensely sweet but never cloying, somehow. Almost a religious experience not worth putting in words. Simply wonderful.

Huge, huge thanks to bmanning for breaking out the 1994 vintage of this beauty at a recent tasting. Served in a SAVOR snifter because that’s how I do tastings in my own house. Right, Paul? Pours a murky tawny-red color with a small, nearly non-existent head without and head or lacing. So what, it’s over 15 years old. Moving on. THe nose brings forward a very heavy malt presence with a good dosing of brown sugar and caramel. Quite a bit of toffee there as well, along with some dark fruits and grape. Really, mostly just a port bomb. Loving the nose. The flavor kicks back a bit with some light fruits and brown sugar combined with the port flavors. Mouthfeel has moderate sweetness on a medium body. Almost no carbonation, but the sweetness is really well integrated. Beautiful beer. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 05-25-2011

1982 Intensiv malzig-gealteter Antrunk mit durchaus säuerlichen Noten, noch deutlich würziger werdend, wobei die Säuerlichkeit berücksichtigt wird. Die Altersspuren sind deutlich erkennbar, dennoch ist das Bier noch erstaunlich angriffslustig mit seiner Alkoholigkeit. Sehr gewürzig, wenig nach Kräutern. Stimmit, aber deutlich zu oxidiert. /11/9/12//11

Bottle (vintage 1979, brewed by Eldridge Pope): No head, deep amber coloured, solid peppery vinous-caramelly nose; medium to solid bitter-sweet and spicy flavour, medium to full bodied; lingering bitter-vinous (old wine) finish. Very old, but drinkable, though......

’95 thanks to Jeremy. tepid nut-brown. Nose of chocolate, tea, light maple but its very sugary, washed out. Similar flavor, bit of raisin and chocolate but again thin, sugary malt through finish. I either don’t like it or haven’t figured out TH yet

Tasted at the big “SeaBass has got to go” tasting and big thanks to thecheeseman for sharing this aged (1980) treat. The aroma is aged and slightly tart prunes, a mild level of cardboard, aged funky cheese, a touch of soy, aged cherry and crusty dried out molasses. The taste is mildly tart and quickly picks up aged cherry, some prune and a touch of soy mixed with molasses. By about midway I get the addition of chocolate and lingering yet very mild soy heading into the finish.

1993 - Tons of caramel, milk chocolate, bacon dipped in maple, marshmallows, cherries, a touch salty, fairly sweet. Unbelievable depth. Perfect condition. Honestly a bit too sweet, it needs more age!!!!! 4.8 86 - a bit sour. A touch of grapes in meat. Vegemite. Tons of salt, burnt brown sugar, raisins. Not nearly as balanced. Nothing like the 93. Not even the same beer. Still it is not without a lot of depth. 4.2 83- Bacon, maple, milk chocolate and honeysuckle, saltiness. All over the place, but not in a bad way. A bit metallic finish that I don’t like, but overall, very interesting for 27yr old. 3.9 All the beers were fairly flat, but can amazingly hold up for such a long time. Highly enjoyable to try all these beers.

Wee little bottle from 1992! Tasted at the end of an epic night in Vail, in preparation for the Big Beers Festival. It’s a little hard to know how to rate this beer - it’s such a legend and it’s oh so old. The beer actually had a bit of carbonation still, but wait...what the hell is that in the bottom of the bottle? Wow, don’t go down there! To the beer: nose is unmistakably teriyaki beef. Flavor is the same and is quite salty, like cheap Chinese food leftover from last weekend. The beer is so unique - unlike any beer I have ever tasted. Clearly past its prime, but I enjoyed it oh so much!