RateBeer
OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later) 3.92 867

OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Percentile
99
overall
Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine

Exeter, England

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
8673.92/5.03.92/5.011.7%93.9Snifter
Commercial Description:
Scarce, subtle and complex, Thomas Hardy’s Ale is the beer enthusiast’s equivalent of rare cognac. Bottle-conditioned to mature in the bottle like fine wine, this old ale/barley wine will improve with age for at least 26 years (and we’re still counting!). Not for the faint of palate, especially when young and brash, maturity brings an elegance of flavors unmatched by any other beer—if you have the patience to cellar it for at least a decade.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 hoplover406 (204), Crofton, Maryland, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/516/20
Jan 1, 2009  
’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.


evanrail (41), Prague, Czech Republic
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/57/105/518/20
Jan 1, 2009  
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.


 Nihon (240), Vernon, Connecticut, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/517/20
Dec 31, 2008  
Strong aroma of malt and fruit, alcohol barely noticable. Lots of carbonation, bottle overflows a few seconds after opening(cold). Very strong, sweet dark fruit flavor. Alcohol barely noticeable. Great beer, would be amazing with a few years under it’s belt. Get a pack and let it sit in your cellar


 fidel (1018), Livermore, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 31, 2008  
Thanks AgentSteve. Pours dark mahogany, caramel, molasses, dark fruit, slightly bitter finish.


 AgentSteve (1379), SF Bay Area, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/517/20
Dec 31, 2008  
Rating 999 From Schuyler, 05 bottle, pours an attractive dark ruddy brown with a huge creamy smooth tan head. The nose is rich with toffee, molasses, caramel and dried fruit. The flavor is much the same with a bit less sweetness, which is favorable. Clean slight bitter finish.


 pantanap (1375), Chicago, Illinois, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/103/514/20
Dec 31, 2008  
small nip bottle, 2004 vintage... dark caramel brown pour with the thinnest wispy light brown head... rich, dark fruit and toffee like aromas almost liquer like fruit cake...flavors are essentially in line with the aroma albeit a little more sticky. extremely consistent as a matter of fact. very light on the carbonation front. makes for a nice after dinner appertif.


PMgep (71), Lund, Sweden
4.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/510/104/520/20
Dec 29, 2008  
[Vintage 2008] Very rich aroma with rasins, burnt sugar and herbs. The color is nice, ruby red with little head. Sweet taste of rasins, caramell and a bitter sweet aftertaste.


 daniele (1756), Italy
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/518/20
Dec 29, 2008  
2005 ambrata appena aperta una lieve gasatura poi piatta il nasop è ossidato dolciastro malto un lieve caccao in bocca le ossaidazione fanno dda padrone po malto il finale è ben luppolato niota di cioccoato



We Want To Hear From You



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87

Share Your Opinion!
Get started reviewing beers at RateBeer.com now.

First, choose your user name

About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2010, RateBeer LLC