Looking for the next Thomas Hardy's

I'd even go a step further than that and say that American-made English style barleywines are nothing like English-made barleywines.

Having been lucky enough to try some aged and newer bottles of Thomas, OP, I'm not sure there will be another Thomas Hardy unless they remake Thomas Hardy.

 

From what I recall being told in the 90s, it was all floor-malted pale malt, first runnings, hopped with Goldings- just an absolutely elegant beer despite the gravity. A simple recipe done about as well as could be done. I'm having a hard time coming up with a suggestion for a substitute, myself.

 

The only American Old Ale that comes to mind and could age well is Old Stock, but I still don't see something like that lasting 20+ years like a Thomas Hardy can.

 

Just a gentle reminder that the O'Hanlon's version from 2003-2008 doesn't quite have the same complexity or staying power. Not a bad effort to recreate Thomas Hardy's Ale though.

 

That's a fantastic beer that does age well, but you are probably right about that in the long run.

It probably also has too much caramel, hints of dark malts and even hops to make a suitable substitute for the op. Definitely worth trying on its own merits, though.

 

Seems I was right about Old Stock, apparently it does hold its own even after a decade:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/2007-old-stock-has-it-gone-too-far.190295/

Still don't see it going too much longer though, if an 07 has already gotten hints of soy sauce. All this said, I seriously wish I could afford to buy a bottle of Brandy Barrel Old Stock without a second thought. I'd love to see how that one does with a decent amount of time on it.

 

The price is scary (around $14ish), but worth a shot considering your affections. Maybe you'll enjoy it.

 

What about something like HOTD Adam? From what I've read about the beer it's stylistically similar to Thomas Hardy, and the brewery has been around a long time. Any one tried one of those with a decade+ on it?

 

I'm pretty sure it will happen too, just not sure on the quality of the reproduction. O'Hanlons was a decent facsimile but not the same as the Eldridge Pope versions imo.

 

Stingo is a great beer but nothing like Thomas Hardy's Ale.

 

I expect it to be better than the O'Hanlons version.

 

Why? I'll be very excited if it is.

 

Yeah, I was trying to word my posts in such a way that didn't indicate that one could substitute for the other, but rather that @Brutaltruth might enjoy them.

 

That makes sense. Both are nice for aging.

 

That's a first for me.

 

Just had a Stingo tonight for the first time in over 20 years, really surprised at the complexity. Thomas Hardy? um, no, but I see where it is in the same spirit. Jolly good recommendation, thanks!

Now where is that old bottle of Scotch to go with it?

 

Excuse a newb from a stupid question, but what would be a good way to get my hands on one bottle of a 1999 or prior bottle of Hardy's Ale? Is trading the only reasonable option?