Thomas Hardy's Ale (1968-1999) - O'Hanlon's Brewing Co. Ltd.

Skidz

Wisconsin

4.58/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

1986 Vintage, sampled with others in the Madison crew. Mucho thanks to the owner of the bottle, I highly doubt I will ever again be able to taste a beer of this age again, at least one that has aged as well as this has.

Beer is saddlebrown in the glass with no head to speak of; completely still. Color runs from edge to edge, very little fade at the thinnest points in the glass. Sticky as a gecko on the glass.

Candy-like in aroma. Caramel and vanilla are quite prominent, noting musty raisins and dates in the background.

Slushy sweetness from the first sip. Dank wooden hues in the background, with cinnamon spiciness. Figs, raisins and a mélange of dark fruity esters. Little/no perceived bitterness. Alcoholic content unnoticeable.

Crushingly smooth in the mouth; liquid suede, if it ever was. Medium-full body.

It's hard to say if this was past its prime or if it was never quite there at all. Still, very enjoyable and an exemplary treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2009 06:11:38 | More by Skidz

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

06-15-2013 18:56:58 | More by TheBeeraholic

kscaldef

Oregon

4/5  rDev -10.1%

06-10-2013 10:47:21 | More by kscaldef

beernads

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

05-31-2013 05:39:07 | More by beernads

Absolut

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

05-30-2013 16:32:52 | More by Absolut

JMBSH

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

04-21-2013 05:06:18 | More by JMBSH

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

'96 vintage 330ml bottle poured into a matching Thomas Hardy's snifter. The cap pries off with a slight hiss and vigorously poured down the center of my glass releases a few large bubbles that collect around the perimeter of the glass and fade to nothing in a short amount of time. The brew is a dark cherry to mahogany color when resting in my glass but when held to the light appears as a brilliant clear ruby color that fades to orange and then almost yellow at its outer most edges. When the glass is swirled and tilted, some leggings of alcohol slowly droop down the wall of the glass.

The aroma is like sherry with plenty of alcohol esters slightly driven by fruity qualities. Raisins, prunes and dates give way to toffee and a slight medicinal feel and faint herbal hop edge. Some earthiness is present along with a mild musty touch of cardboard-like oxidation. Notes of chocolate blend with almost a hint of dried grassiness. I hate to compare this 16 year old brew to itself in other vintages without actually having those other vintages open at the time of this review but lets just say that while this does smell good overall, there are other vintages both younger and older that have a bit more depth of character without showing their age.

The taste is earthen with an alcohol kick that leads the way tasting minorly medicinal. The flavors of dark fruits remind me of apple skins, pears and over-ripe cherry or the pits of cherries. As the brew warms up, more of a raisin flavor comes into play with a hint of seedy dates or prunes. The oxidation shows up not only in the aromatics but also the flavor towards the finish. There are suggestions of wet paper to cardboard present into the aftertaste with a hint of herbal hops. When focusing on the residual maltiness, a hint of chocolate emerges and a touch of dusty grain. Like I mentioned in the tail end of my aroma notes, other vintages of Thomas Hardy might showcase this brew's real potential moreso than what I am writing here.

This is a full bodied brew with a very soft, light amount of carbonation that visually is completely lacking but in the feel is present enough to keep the flavors of the brew moving across the palate. It is felt in an accenting way to the alcohol that glides across the tongue keeping it almost lighter in the feel. I enjoy Thomas Hardy's Ale quite a bit. I have enjoyed many different years of this brew from freshly released yeas ago to excess of 20 years old. I selected this random vintage to write my review tonight and admittedly will need to revisit. Even though all of my bottles have been stored exactly the same way, I think this bottle shows more oxidation than any of the other vintages I have opened to date. Still good, just not as good as some of the others both younger and older. Regardless, Thomas Hardy's Ale remains a classic and a brew I wish I had more of nearly every time I partake in a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 01:18:14 | More by stakem

patm1986

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +12.4%

03-06-2013 14:20:43 | More by patm1986

mdaschaf

Washington

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

03-03-2013 22:57:42 | More by mdaschaf

t0rin0

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

03-02-2013 23:58:56 | More by t0rin0

nebula1999

Connecticut

4.73/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

~1996~

Dusted off this 17 year old from the cool winter cellar and poured it at cellar temp (55F) into oversized snifter glass. No refrigeration required. Deep ruby/brown color. Very bright in the glass when held up to the light. Small ring of tan foam with medium sized bubbles settles around edge of glass fading quickly. Some floaters, but nothing to worry about.

Aroma is detectible within seconds of popping the cap even before pouring it. A proper slow pour so as not to disturb too much sediment unleashes a torrent of dark fruit, dank aromas. Raisin right off the bat with molasses, fig, prune, burnt toast, smoke(?) and alcohol. Extremely inviting.

The taste brings all those aromatics to the forefront with a moderate to somewhat intense sweetness on the mid tongue. No hop or bitterness whatsoever. No oxidation in this vintage either. All malt, sweet & decadent dark fruit and booze. Continual swirling brings back a fleeting head.

Mouthfeel is somewhat oily, yet lean. Definitely not as brothy as young editions. Aging brings out that liquor/vinous essence whereas younger versions are thicker, beefier and even chewy. A real shame that 2008 was the last vintage produced. Might never experience that youngness again. Young or aged, they are almost like different beers altogether.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 23:04:01 | More by nebula1999

aorloski

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +12.4%

01-18-2013 18:56:27 | More by aorloski

pmarlowe

California

4.4/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to seeswo for this. One of my favorite authors and favorite styles. 1999 vintage. Tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark cola color, all the way to clear around the rim, with a few bubbles but otherwise flat.

S: Caramel, candied dark plum and raisin, and mild to moderate oxidation and sherry flavors. The nose reminds me of a vintage port.

T: Rich, decadent caramel, raisin, sherry, on a long finish. Wow, this is delicious. Fairly sweet, this is again reminiscent of port for me.

M: Light carbonation and full bodied, a tad syrupy. Alcohol is completely hidden.

O: This is a superb dessert beer. Definitely a sipper, something to enjoy a nip of. Showcases how good a non-BA english barley wine can be.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 05:57:48 | More by pmarlowe

mcphish22

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

01-15-2013 04:21:01 | More by mcphish22

baybum

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

01-08-2013 14:21:19 | More by baybum

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

1999 vintage. Acquired at a certain bottle shop in Southern California. Cost was $30.00. ABV is marked as 11.70%, but it's probably gone up over the years. 330ml brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap and understated appealing label served into a pilsner glass in me friend's gaff in high altitude Fort Collins, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are extremely high given its current ratings.

Served after a brief period of rest following its removal from the refrigerator. Side-poured as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Paired with tortilla crisps.

A: Pours a quarter finger light khaki colour head of nice cream and thickness, but merely average strength. No eat particles are visible. No bubble show. Body colour is a very dark caramel amber. Doesn't look fantastic, but it's par for the style.

Sm: A downright pungent aroma of sweet rich malts, heavy scotch, nice sweet caramel, biscuit malt, and buried dark fruit. As powerful as an aroma can usually get. Alcohol is notable. No yeast character is detectable. It kind of turns me away, but I want to tame the beast.

T: Rich malt, caramel, caramalt, rich scotch notes, biscuit malt, and heavy malty sweetness Heavy on the malt, if that wasn't clear. It certainly doesn't taste 13 years old. It's a rich malty flavour profile. Prunes. Tobacco. No real yeasty character. Some alcohol does come through. I think I like it; it's just so rich and refined. The rich scotch notes are delightful: caramel, hints of vanilla, some booze, refined malt, and awesomely subtle toasted character. Well put together, but it's not quite balanced. Aftertaste of malty molasses syrup.

Mf: A bit syrupy - especially on the finish. Otherwise, it's nicely smooth and wet. Good carbonation, even after all these years. Complements the flavour somewhat, but it has its flaws.

Dr: Even after 13 years, it's still a tasty beer. The refined scotch notes are a plus, but the syrupy finish is a turn off. It's not without its weaknesses, but I do like it overall. The cost isn't justified, but it's certainly a tasty brew. I do think its peak was hit years ago. I wouldn't bother trading for it. Hides its high ABV well. One tasty, complex, and uniquely rewarding beer.

Low B-

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 03:31:53 | More by kojevergas

csurowiec

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

12-26-2012 21:31:22 | More by csurowiec

harrymel

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 1998

Poured slow homie, toffee crystal beer with a glass surface. Lovely hues. Smells of nougat, caramel, candied raisin, toffee, toasted sugars, lots of toffee & caramel. Hint of vanilla. Tastes of caramel, nougat, nut roll, bits of honey, syrup, cola and tawny porto (10 year) - nice flavor. Medium on thin body with light, prickled carb and a wet finish that gave a little hint of alcohol. A gracefully aged beer I'm glad to have tried and received from a great trading partner as an extra.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 07:00:04 | More by harrymel

andant

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

12-06-2012 02:13:29 | More by andant

resistdefy

District of Columbia

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

11-16-2012 05:44:12 | More by resistdefy

Melonie

3.5/5  rDev -21.3%

11-11-2012 18:42:42 | More by Melonie

metter98

New York

4.48/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

A: The beer is relatively clear reddish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that consistently left a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are moderate to strong aromas of sherry in the nose along with sweet notes of caramel malts.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and is dominated by flavors of sherry and port wine. Notes of malty sweetness are also present.
M: It feels medium-bodied, a little thin and slightly syrupy on the palate with a very low amount of carbonation.
O: Aging this beer definitely intensifies its smell and taste. It is a pleasant and interesting beer to sip and surprisingly the alcohol is very well hidden from the taste.

Note: 1998 vintage (aged 14 years)

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 19:59:59 | More by metter98

Rempo

Indiana

1/5  rDev -77.5%

10-21-2012 13:01:50 | More by Rempo

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1988 vintage I was able to find at RFD in Washington, D.C. Purchased it to celebrate being done with the PA bar exam...

A - Pours a mild mahogany color with hints of a dark burgundy hues throughout the body. There is little to no carbonation visible and is basically flat - not too surprised there however.

S - Really intoxicating aromas of sherry, port, sweet dark fruits come through up front. Raisins, cherries and some red grape come through nicely. Boat loads of toffee, caramel, and malty goodness come next mixing with the liquer-like scents. Some slight oxidation is noticeable but is welcomed in this bouquet of deliciousness.

T - Man. Sweet port, brandy and sherry flavors come through with raisins being the common theme at the outset. Dark fruits take the stage with raisin, cherry, prunes and red grape being the most noticeable. Delicious toffee and caramel come next with some leather notes and some slight chocolate as well. Oxidation is just right with this one as it has done wonders to this flavor profile.

M - The mouthfeel is a smooth and creamy with no real carbonation. Medium bodied at times bordering on the thicker side with the sweet flavors going on.

O - Really one of the better beers I have encountered in terms of the flavor profile. It is the oldest beer I have ever had. The aging and oxidation that resulted really did wonders for this beer. I can only hope that someday I will be able to find more that has the same character and quality as this vintage did.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 13:34:14 | More by KAP1356

jheezee

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

10-04-2012 15:22:35 | More by jheezee