Thomas Hardy 1983

Do you know if the TH is just the regular beer or is it the Royal Thomas Hardy's version? Not that it would make a difference in taste but the Royal definitely puts a different spin on things.

 

Here's what I know from http://www.thomashardysale.org.uk/page2.htm

I purchased my 33cl bottle from the legendary Beer Shop in London (N1) around 1990. The label is in pristine condition and the beer should be superb. From my understanding, the Duke of Kent (Prince Edward) added the hops to the brew kettle while this batch was boiling. I have bottle #1253. I have numerous vintages of TH and I can tell you that they drink beautifully. Aging does them well as the beer becomes more and more sherry-like in taste. Some oxidation, no carbonation, and an overall amazing drinking experience. If I were you, I'd wait until 7 Nov 13 to enjoy a 30-year-old beer!! However, once it's gone, it's gone. RTH show up very rarely in trading circles.

In 1983 came the 1st special edition. The brew was inaugurated on 15th September 1982 to mark the completion of the Centenary development of Dorchester Brewery. The beer was made available on 7th November 1983 exactly 150 years after Charles Eldridge held his inaugural dinner in Dorchester. To mark the visit of the Duke of Kent to the brewery all production was made available as Royal Hardy Ale in 33cl bottles. The bottles were numbered but without the usual year prefix.