OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine
Whimple, England

Not aged bottle. Clear brown color. No head at all. Very sweet aroma of molasses and alcohol. The flavour is just like the aroma, with no perceived carbonation. An interesting beer, but I think it must be a lot better aged.

8.5 oz. 2007 bottle. Pours a syrupy amber-brown, with no head and little carbonation. Aroma of port and dark fruit (plums/prunes). The flavor is port-like and a bit overpowering, and only somewhat reminiscent of most American barleywines. A nice tang in the finish. Not a bad beer per se, but certainly not my style, and not something that I really enjoyed drinking.

a 2007 bottle a dark er glooming reddish copper colored beer with an offwhite head who dissapears quickly but lets some laces on the beer by opening the bottle a big fruity smell came out of the bottle,that smell intensified by pouring it in the glass after alcohol came trough but still much of fruitpunch-like smell and old port notes tasts of fruits like dried plums pears but like old port too (like somone has made a hot fruitpunch with old port in it) aftertaste heathening alcohol fruity bittersweet and a hidden a bit harsh note a good strong beer but an expensive one , it coasted 9.8 swissfrancs

Ummmm....usually when I buy one of these overpriced high alky barley wines I am expecting a thick syrupy alcoholic mess. This wasn’t that, but also wasn’t as tasty as I was hoping. Aroma was not very strong. Roasted malt with a dark fruitiness to it. Pour was a nice deep murky sewer water brown with a one finger off white head. Taste was dark fruit, cinnamon and caramel with some leather and raisin in the aftertaste. Hides alcohol well and more drinkable than most of the 10%+ barley wines I’ve had.

Bottle at the White Horse, for "Still here Mr. Selle?" session, at their Old Ale Festival, 28th Nov 08. Sweet yet so dry, smooth and rich - sublime. My drinking partner described it as "like a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster - it hits you hard but treats you right". Very refined. I’d not done in justice with this rate and will update once the bottle in my cellar ages up a bit more :)

This was a Christmas 2008 ale. This bottle was a 2005 Vintage No. P 18870. The ale poured a ruddy brown with suspended particles. The high alcohol is very evident. As an apertiff this may be excellent. Not sure it is my type of ale.

’04 Bottle. Shared with a frined on New Year’s Eve 2008. Pours cloudy brown with heavy sediment. This was my first experience with this unusual and complex beer. I must say that it was not what I expected. Loaded with an assortment of flavors and aromas that are uncommon in most beers, this one takes some getting used to. Where to start....Heavy carbonation. Malty, fruity and slightly funky. Another rater mentioned fruitcake and I agree. I would also add leather and perhaps a slight note of musty funk. Very interesting. Now that I know, I would not dare open for at least ten more years.

Bottle of 2006 vintage with LDR on New Year’s Day 2009 right at the kitchen table. Beautiful clear amber with some foamy floating trails; no head to speak of. Nose of plum compote above raisins above old leather with a touch of madeira oxidation somewhere just at the edge of perception. After some time light vanilla notes as well. Lovely slick and slightly round mouthfeel; we are well on the wine side of barley wine here. Leathery bitter tannic notes, restrained sweetness and an exquisite alcohol and bittersweet balance makes this a diminutive special I can’t wait to try again in another 12 months. Happy New Year, everyone.