Thomas Hardy's Ale

[Kalleh1]

I haven't tried it yet, but I just got a bottle of Thomas Hardy's Ale. It was expensive, like $5 for 8.5 Fl oz, and has 11.7% alcohol. It is bottle conditioned. What should I be looking for when I drink it?

[chazwicke]

Is your bottle dated? I have bottles going back to the 1970s.

[HogieWan]

It's $5 now, but you could sell it for $50 if you age it.

[stronk]

Is that Thomas Hardy's Prize Old Ale, or am I getting confused? Sadly enough, I actually dreamed about that last night (withdrawal symptoms from English beer). I dreamed that I was drinking in a good brewpub and asked if I could have a look at the dusty top shelves behind the bar. There I found 10 bottles of 20-year-old Prize Old Ale, which the barman sold to me for $30. Pity it was a dream, really...

Then again, a few of the bars in Antwerp are really like that (where you'd find some long-forgotten treasure just sitting around on a shelf).

Back on topic, I'm afraid I can't really help much, as my palate was very immature when I last tasted POA. All I remember is a main flavour of deep, slightly sour vinousness (not a word, I know) and an earthy nose, but it was some time ago, so I wouldn't trust my own recollection (plus, the White Horse in Parson's Green stored the bottles in a fridge, which killed the experience somewhat).

[davesarman]

Isn't it Gale's Prize Old Ale? I'm pretty sure I have several vintage dated bottles of that in my cellar along with my Thomas Hardy's....

[Kalleh1]

Mine is dated 2004. Should I keep it for awhile then?

When Richard visited Chicago, we had some Gale's Prize Old Ale. It was delicious!

[stronk]

Isn't it Gale's Prize Old Ale? I'm pretty sure I have several vintage dated bottles of that in my cellar along with my Thomas Hardy's....
That's the stuff! I've been away too long. Sorry for the confusion.

[Richard English]

Gales Prize Old Ale is one of the few bottled beers still to be sealed with a cork. It is, as Kalleh says, quite delicious.

Gales (of Horndean) is a very fine brewery although their estate doesn't come too far north. I can't get their draught beer closer than, as I recall, Guildford.

[chazwicke]

Kalleh, you should probably let it cellar for a few years.

[Kalleh1]

Oh, heck, and I was looking forward to drinking it! Oh, well, I will get some Fuller's 1845 and Coniston Bluebird Bitters instead! ;)

[chazwicke]

Thats our girl! Excellent choices!

[hops99]

Kalleh, you should probably let it cellar for a few years.

Yeah, but get ANOTHER bottle and drink it now. ;)

I had a Thomas Hardy's Ale (well, a couple of 'em, actually) a few weeks ago for the first time since I got into craft beer 10 years ago, and I was literally blown away. I'd say it was the tastiest beer I've had this year - chocolate, cinnamon, roasted hazelnuts, all kinds of delicious flavors.

On a side note, I also like O'Hanlon's Ruby Stout and the Royal Oak Pale Ale as well. Plus, I tried their Rye beer for the first time a few days ago and it was ok.