OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine
Whimple, England

It’s my birthday today, and I decided, what better way to celebrate both my birthday and my 200th beer on RateBeer but by enjoying an aged BWSA that was given to me as a gift from Sean Piotrowski? Thanks, Sean. Glass: Snifter Purchased at: A gift from Sean.(2007 vintage) Price: $ n/a Size: 8.5 fl oz ABV: 11.7 % IBU: n/a Estimated Calories: 175 C RateBeer Rating: 98 Aural: very quiet opening, subtle carbonation, beautiful amber pour Aroma 10 out of 10 Intensity: overwhelmingly strong Balance: very sharp Impression: quite nice Malt Aroma: barley, syrup, coffee Hops Aroma: anise, licorice, acid Other Aroma: alcohol Notes: A wonderfully enticing smell, though seemingly strong. Appearance 4 out of 5 Color: brown Clarity: nearly opaque Head Retention: poor Lace: poor Notes: A deep dark color, stands up impressively against the led test, but of course as with many ales of this strength, there is no head. Flavor 10 out of 10 Intensity: off the charts Balance: sweet start with a bitter finish Impression: strong, but very nice Malt Flavor: grain nut caramel toffee licorice Hops Flavor: floral tar resin grapefruit rind Other: alcohol Notes: The flavor is surprisingly balanced. I expected this to be a repeat of Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA, which defined new limits for me. This is much less intense than that, and very enjoyable. Palate 5 out of 5 Mouthfeel Sensation: creamy slick drying and warming Body: full Carbonation: faint Finish Length: long Intensity: strong Balance: mostly bitter Notes: A very dry, enjoyable finish. It really does need deserve to be sipped. General Impression: 19 out of 20 Craftmanship: excellent Freshness: fresh Personal Taste: loved Notes: I can’t wait to thank Sean for such an amazing treat. He made my birthday with this gift, even though for him, it was a drainpour giveaway.

Bottle picked up at Thame, Waitrose, Oxon consumed 19-06-08 Amazed that I hadn’t got around to rating this yet as have had a few times, this bottle was 2007 version I’ve left my 2005 to sit awhile yet. Pours mid brown with just a hint of red shining through. Sweet fruity alcohol laden nose with some crushed nuts thrown into the mix, almond maybe? Plenty of fruitiness and sweetness skip about and the alcohol is a constant reminder not to rattle this down to briskly and whilst theres an awful lot going on here at just a year old it does taste quite bright and fresh and one wonders whether this is still a little young yet to really show its true colours.

Sweet molasses, hops, malts, and honey are all in the aroma. Look is reddish brown with not much head. Taste is a smooth sweetness that is also malty, with a little hops, some alcohol and caramel. Very good beer.

Ouch! Wait..... Nice. This beer does not want to be forgotten. The syrupy texture and taste coats your palate and holds on indefinatly. Strong alcohol and over ripe fruits are boldly displayed, and it this beer looks great!

Pours a hazy brown with no head. Incredibly pungent aroma, very spicy and sweet with present alcohol. Very sweet tasting, definitely some hops in there but overwhelmed by spice, alcohol, and sugars. Wowee! No carbonation (zilch), very thick body. Finish lasts forever, literally. This beer, when approached as a dessert wine, is very heaven, but as a beer I wish it had some carbonation, and a tad more in the way of hops.

2006 vintage from dchmela, thanks!. Aroma has notes of peaches, pineapple, caramel apples, dark dried fruits, and a little musk. Pours a murky brown/amber hue with no head. Flavor is very sweet with licorice, caramel, sherry, brown sugar, and cherries. Very full bodied and oily flat. Cloying mouth feel and aftertaste that lingers quite a bit. Very big and bold with good flavors. I am skeptical on whether age will help this brew or not, I guess we’ll see with that 2005 next year.

bottle vintage 2005- pours flat, 0 cloudy brown .carbonation, nose is big and thick, peaches, butterscotch. really earthy. caramel. its so dense and telling of the ale itself. mouthfeel is as syrupy as mead. tastes very honeyed. some spices. lots of alcohol warming. some sweet portlike quality about it. perfect after dinner drop. slight lemon. wonderful first class classic. honeyed black tea taste comes through as well with some hop resonance. and a subtle tartness. excellent.

2004 Bottle. Pours murky brown with no head. Surprisingly vinous aroma, alcohol, caramel, grape, and cream. Also some unappealing sweat smell. Big bold flavors; caramel, smoke, fruit, alcohol. Unfortunately, its not balanced at all. This is just not ready, still needs many years.