🐳 Over half a century later from its first release, the reborn barley wine, Thomas Hardy’s Ale, is finally available on the British market again. Brewed by the Hepworth’s brewery under the guidance of iconic brewmaster Derek Prentice.
It’s a potted history for this rare and sought after beer.
Originally back in 1968, the Thomas Hardy Society was founded around the 40th anniversary of the death of this famous British writer and poet. Formed to promote his works, the group also contained members of the Pope family, owners of the Eldridge Pope brewery. They decided to celebrate the event by brewing this historical strong ale; described by the artist in his novel The Trumpet Major. ‘Nip’ bottles packaged in numbered and vintage-dated bottles, perfect for cellar ageing. It was meant to be a one-off, but brewing continued due to demand, until 1999. From 2003 to 2008 an American importer, George Saxon, keeping the beer alive. Brewing it at O’Hanlon’s brewery. Then the story moves to Italy where the Vecchiato brothers of Italy’s Interbrau began their stewardship in 2012. With their reverence to its legacy, they dedicated three years of research and investment to revive Thomas Hardy’s Ale. Releasing their first vintage in 2015. Now thanks to a distribution and brew agreement with Interbrau and @jamesclaybeers it’s once again in the UK.
We have both 250ml bottles, one the barley wine and then the barley wine aged with French oak, both 11.3%. We’ve also just put
#onthetaps a cheeky 10L keg of the Thomas Hardy’s Ale 2024!!! 👀
