Thomas Hardy's Ale - The Historical (2024)
Hepworth & Co. (Brewers) Ltd.

 

From Bine and Vine bottle #41091.

Pours murky rust brown with ever so few foam islands. It still managed a wee bit of lacing.

The smell is oxidation with lots of non sweet caramel, toffee, leather, wood.

The taste is caramel malt, sweeter than what the smell suggested, toffee, leather, dark pitted fruit that didn't bring any vinous notes. Even the oxidation that I mentioned in the smell is muted. Yay.

The mouthfeel is full, no carbonation but I reckon that I don't miss or need it here.

Overall, I am very pleased.

See initial review of 2024 Thomas Hardys Ale and add the barest waft of oakey/woody notes, along with a buck more a bottle.

(review from April 2025) Lovely, well balanced barleywine w/such a lighter yet satisfying palate heft; a complex, subtle, caramel/figgy/fruity/raisiny/malty/toffeeish flavor and a slightly lingering, sweetish backend. Very smooth fooler of an 11.3%er & very dangerously quaffable.

Poured from bottle, the beer is a amber with white head. No lacing.

Aroma is almost cidery: Apple, raisins.

Taste follows nose and several flavors are presented. Oak, raisins, apple, vanilla and a definite alcohol presence. The flavors merge as the ale warmed. A wee hoppiness is in the background but keeps the beer from being sweet. Perhaps not sweet enough for fans of English Barleywines like those made by Jackie O’s. One fully warmed, the oak is dominant, but not overly so.

Carbonation is low and mouthfeel medium though soft. Finish has a lingering of the alcohol.

Wonderful rendition of the classic ale. Rich and enticing, a complete delight.

Presentation: Draft pour at Rome´s Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà. The venue notes Alc. by Vol. (11.3%) Poured into a branded snifter. I asked for a small pour and this was the standard pour, 25 cl or about 8 oz. 

A - Very rich presence. Amber light brown color with an enticing scarlet hint. Large creamy and toasted head with wonderful lacing. It rests calmly leaving a good looking surface memory.

S - Fresh complex sweetness on the nose. Rich caramel notes, with nutty hints, dash of dark fruit, distant apple...

T - Wonderful flavors hit the palate. Picks up with the sweet maltness, porty range, notes of caramel, slight hint of apple spice resting with a floral hop sense in the distance. 

M -Medium to full body with medium carbonation supporting the ale very well. Great creamy smooth texture.

O - What a delight, and very drinkable.. if we still measure things that way... perfect pour and wonderful sipper. Great balance of complexity with the palate flow.

Notes: I´m definitely biased. I have had some of the old vintages and had not had any since it went away in 2008. Had not had the reincarnation yet, and not on tap, this was quite the treat. It holds back the memory wonderfully and keeps it present. A personal favorite. 

Pulling itself from the recess of history, the brand that just won't die is resurrected by the hands of Hepworth & Co. The classic Thomas Hardy's Ale resonates once again with a whole new crop of beer lovers.

And its with a very handsome, tawny garnet and light bronze pour that the relatively still Thomas Hardy's Ale, The Historical greets the eye. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals a sweet and savory perfume redolent with honey, floral hops, stone fruit and a mere suggestion of fortified wines. Expectedly sweet once on the tongue, the malt dominant ale swirls with honey, shortbread, a touch of maple and brown sugar ahead of a mulled fruit character of fig, date, light prune and apple. As a mild mannered hop presence takes a slight edge off of the sweetness, they provide a tea-like balance with pipe tobacco and soft woods.

Full bodied, chewy and gently cloying, the truly historical ale finishes with an apple brandy warmth with near mead-like proportions. Trailing into a decisively sweet aftertaste, this beer is an easy replacement for most port, sherry and madeira.