OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine
Whimple, England

2 years old. Pours a beautiful dark red- brown with a thick tan head. Great aromas including caramel, malt, prunes, raisins, nuts and a hint of alcohol. Flavor was sweet and fruity. Alcohol was a bit strong at first, but mellowed as it warmed a little. A really good brew that I would enjoy again.

2005 bottle. This was a full bodied, full flavored beer. The aroma was strong with rich malt and toffee. Flavor was again very dominant with sweet malt, toffee, and a little alcohol on the finish. Very good. Would definitely buy again.

Pours a thick dark chocolate with very thick head that looks like it is the consistancy of egg whites. Aroma is a sweet liquor semi-bourbon or rum.Taste is extremely nutty with incredibly sweet nuts. Body is light and so is carbonation.

Vintage 2004 No. P67662 i’ll be drinking this brew tonight out of a great divide yeti glass. this beer poured the exact same color as the missus louis vuitton purse with about a half inch of creamy tan head that receded fairly quickly. there is lacing as well. not extreme but nice and solid. a good bit of carbonation as well. more than i expected. the smell of this beer is very complex. raisins, dates, prunes, molasses, caramel, malty. there is a faint faint alcohol smell. a bit cigary as well. the taste is probably more complex than the smell, if that’s possible. very sweet right now. the taste is consistent with the flavors in the smell, but is much more boozy tasting than smelling. a decent amount of bitter, although i wish there was a bit more. the mouthfeel is full and carbonated. i’d say this beer is both chewy and sticky. consistent with an old ale. this is a slow drinker. just one for me kind sir. i’m drinking this knowing that the four i have cellared are going to be better in the coming years. but how could i buy my first thomas hardy’s ales without drinking one, right?

Bottle (2004), pours a beautiful veneer wood - a rich reddish brown. A strong aroma, alcohol yes, but a christmas cake fruitiness and a piney resin. A spicy palate, port-like, but the swallow is quite numbing, think and syrupy malt. Definite one to finish the night with, apart from a lot of other Barley Wines.

2005 vintage, bottle # 9681. Pours a clear deep brown with a decent sized beige head. Aroma is sweet with strong caramel, butter, a vinous quality and a trace of whisky. Flavor is sweet, caramel, vinous and honeydew melon. Sweet finish with alcohol warming . Full body, very smooth texture. This one is far superior to most of the American Barleywines I have had recently.

Bottled. A hazy amber beer with almost no head. Aroma is amazing. Rich fruity and honey aroma, notes of apricot. Taste is very malty and alcoholic. Full body body, sweety, woody, vinous. I’ll for sure keep one to drink in 5 or 10 years

2006 Bottle shared during a BJCP study session. Amazing barlywine. Lots of rich fruit, rum raisin, cherry, molassas. A very enjoyable experience all around.