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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One of my all time favorite beers for sure. Luckily I’m a member of a local homebrewing club. And I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a few different vintages of this ale which guys in the club have brought to share. Every time...without fail...I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven when this ale touches my tongue. SUPERB. Strong. Rich. Complex. Malty. In-fucking-credible.

I have to give this one a perfect rating, what a beautiful beer. Only gets better with age. I’ve had the ’96 & ’97 and can attest to it getting better with age. Truly a beer for barleywine lovers, I’ve had several and this, by far is the best!

what can I say! This beer is sooooo beyond beautiful that you just have to try it if you can find a bottle!!! It’s not being made anymore. I never knew a barleywine style ale could taste this great

Update 1997 vintage: Copper bronze in color. the pour yields no head. Very madiera like qualities and see notes below. My numbers ain’t movin’. Vintage 1994. Oh dear God this is stage 5 beer nirvana! Smooth, vinuous aroma (slightly oaky as well). Delightful caramel and port-like characteristics. This bottle was pulled out for the host of Split Thy Skull VII and he graciously shared it with a few of us. Truly deserving of my first perfect score. Outstanding!

UPDATED: MAY 27, 2008 Have had several vintages, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1999, etc. This review is for the 1986 vintage, which I am consuming as I type this. This is the classic beer for the beer collector, such nectar. The best beer ever produced, quite possibly? Pours very dark, nearly black, the darkest Hardy’s I’ve ever seen. Flat, but it’s 22 years old. Aromatics of caramel, chocolate and sherry, just amazing. Flavor goes beyond amazing, with amazing chocolate, nougat and caramel. Nearly 120 second finish, which can’t be put into words. The 1986 is incredible. While each vintage is different, as a whole, it can’t be argued that Eldridge Pope’s Hardy’s is the most collectible and age worthy beer ever produced.

This beer is heaven!

This is a july,1981 bottle 3 15325. Poured flat. Color is dark mahagoney with garnet highlights. Aroma is typical barleywine, malt, sherry, raisins, and dirty socks. Flavor is the same but with more going on: chocolate, a little booze at the end. Frankly, this was a little less than I’d anticipated. Also going to open a bottle of TH 1975 next: Poured again flat, much better aroma - much more malt, yeast, ripe dark fruit, chocolatey, and must. Flavor’s ’bout the same but more. Boozy at the end. ’75 is way bettter than the ’81.

I’ve had a few. 1994,1995,1996,1997,1998. All at varied stages of age. My favorite was the 96’. I bought a case with the last three years in there, All 120 bucks worth! This was in 2002. The pinnacle of brewing? Why not! My only problem is, I wish I was drinking them now.

Defines the English barleywine. Sophisticated and elegant. Smooth and creamy and rich. The flavors are in perfect harmony. A world-classic.

- 1995 : Huge malty nose and a deep, ruddy carmel color. Wow, is this stuff like brandy! All malt and very little bitter (or carbonation for that matter), but earthy undertones, particularly in the finish. High alcohol: almost ’burns’ going down - kinda medicinal. Thick and syrupy - a meal itself. Complex and well-balanced with a long flavor profile. Mature and challenging taste reserved for a special occasion. Re-Rate for ’98: Fruity, raisin-like nose with hints of banana - very powerful. Super sweet - like brown sugar. Latent alcohol burns the throat. Sophisticated and extremely good.