Eldridge Pope Thomas Hardys Ale (all vintages to 1999)

99% over all ? Are you guys smoking crack ? Had a 1991 off this disgusting beer, i think a friend hit it dead on when he said it tastes like Old People, i’ll add rotting Dry-wall or Wet Cardboard. . . . Rotting Molasses taste just did me in as well as a taste of out of code brown sugar. . I don’t know what is with you beer geeks and giving this a good Rating, this stuff was not my cup of tea, Thomas Hardy needs to be told to get a new job.

1983. No. 20895. 33cL. The cap releases with a quick "psst." Rushing into the glass, a ruddy purple-brown reveals itself as a clear beauty. Small, diffuse prickly bubbles sheen the glass. A faint rim of oily khaki rim the glass. Aroma rises from the glass strongly, giving off delicate touches of wet graham cracker, sweet plums, dried fig paste, almonds, gingerbread cookies, toasted almonds, caramels and fresh British toffee. Absolutely delightful nose. Flavor is dense. Starts with a similar flavor profile, before revealing well-integrated alcohols with signature vinous character. The graham cracker continues. A puckering and tart, yet not sour nor acetic quality becomes vinous, plummy and figgy. This is interesting and composes the back end of the beer. The alcohol is deftly consumed by a very viscous sugar body. Faintest dust of hops out the back end. Still in good shape. Oxidation, sherry and cardboard are far less noticeable than I had thought they might be. Malts are complex, married and alcohol is well-blended. A 25 year old beer enjoyed on the week of my 25th birthday. Beautiful.

1978 , bottle G10741, sampled a few weeks ago on my 30th birthday. Sampled alongside a 1998 bottle for comparison. The 1978 vintage poured murky dark brown, with little carbonation. Complex aroma of raisin and other dark fruit, with some leather, wood and smoke. Flavor was also very complex, with notes of raisin, prune, chocolate and a subtle almost mead-like honey sweetness. A slight alcohol burn showed up for the finish. Thick velvety mouthfeel. I’ve been saving this beer in the cellar for a few years, and it was well worth the wait.

1998. poured a lighter, less murky brown color than the 1978, with a minimal off-white head. Aroma of dark fruit, caramel malt, and brown sugar. Flavor is sweet malt, nuts, caramel, and alcohol. This is far sweeter that its older brother, and although its enjoyable now, it can certainly stand a few decades in the cellar.

1975, bottle E5741, sampled June 2007 for my cousin’s birthday. Poured murky reddish brown, with no head. Aroma of dark chocolate, plum, and alcohol. Aroma reminded me of port. Flavors of dark chocolate, plum, and figs with very vinous qualities. This has held up well after 32+ years.

1986 Bottle A06493 6.04 oz , sampled Feb 22 2007. Poured into Thomas Hardy’s snifter. Mahogany, with no head and very little carbonation. Cocoa aroma, with a hint of soy sauce and oak. Toffee and chocolate flavors, with some sugar cane and prunes toward the end. Smooth as silk. Beautiful.

Numerical rating an aggregate of all vintages

Had an opportunity to try the 1999 vintage at the Brickskellar here in DC. Pours a flat, oily medium brown with just a very faint white head. Served to me in a pilsner glass. Aroma of raisins, rum, maple syrup, a little touch of sweet port and a little wood. Flavor has more raisins, brown sugar, a touch of molasses, leather, wood, tobacco, a little bit of earth, whiskey and a little candy. Finish is sweet, oily, a little salty with only a medium burn from the alcohol. Very nice nose leads right into a complex flavor and mouthfeel. Seems to be aging quite nicely.

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.