OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine
Whimple, England

2005 vintage bottle (p17113), consumed 9/2007. Pours a thick, cloudy brown with minimal head. Very low carbonation. Fragrances of raisin and sweet fig. Thick, syrupy fluid brings nutmeg and cinnamon with an alcohol warmth to the palate. Goes down like port wine (with a little kick). A big beer that ought to be a session ender or an after dinner dessert. I can only imagine what this beer’s sister bottle will taste like someday when my curiosity gets the better of my patience.

2005 vintage- This is a cold weather beer or something to end the evening with. This beer is very fragrant with a nice raisiny nose, a copperish brown color, port like flavor (just a little strong), the finish is pretty stong and a bit sweet but good. Next time I’ll get an older bottle or cellar one for a while.

8/27/05 2004 #p10085. 250ml. Hazy dark brown with small off white head. Very vinous port aroma. Sweet port but not too sweet or too viscous. nice sipper.

250ml bottle 񢉖) (Kuikka/Kaisla/Alko)
Rich red, no head. Port and dark berries literally climb out the glass and up your nose. Very rich sweet malty body, with a pile of plums and raisins, a smattering of rich dark sultry bitter hoppiness, and just a hint of marmite (yes, I was very careful about the sediment). Wonderfully mellow - nothing harsh at all, just comforting and warming, and flavours and feelings that feel so familiar even if they are quite rare! Leaves the bitterness and malt for a very long finish. Wow! Best of all - I know that when I have another in subsequent years they will be even better.
Rerate: Stunning. Sweeter, mellow. Wow. Moved 1 from overall to palate.

(Bottle NO. P 28934) Raisin, port vinous and sweet aroma. Dark brown red colour, no head (some large bubbles). Sedimentation in the bottle. Sweet, raisin, port vinous and dried fruits flavour of long duration. Flat carbonated, full-bodied, syrupy, alcoholic, warming and sticky palate. Excellent barley wine! 17/08/07

330. 2005. 16508. Pours murky brown with no head and a slim rim of tan foam. Enormous harshly sugary nose--overbearing figs, raisins, dates, and other sundry tree fruit. Still, slick, oily body. Definitely killing a baby here, but no older vintages are around to taste. All the tree fruit comes roaring across on the mid-palate; it’s also thick, raw, and boozy. Not such a fun beer to drink--tonight--but it’s only a couple years old.

Name: Thomas Hardy’s Ale
Date: 03/30/2004
Mode: Bottle Conditioned
Source: Whole Foods Market, DC
Vintage: 2003

muddy brown, headless, slightly sweet light fruity aroma, rich malt flavor, long bitter finish, some harshness, very green, starts getting alcoholic after warming

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: *4
-------- /> The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

2005 bottle. very flavourful barley wine - one of the best I’ve had. You don’t notice the high ABV. Downside: small bottle; what’s with that? For the price it should be in a larger one!