Thomas Hardy Burtonwood Limited Thomas Hardy's Ale - The Historical (2025)

Description

Thomas Hardy’s Ale is an intense and complex barleywine, with notes of candied and alcohol-soaked fruit, dried figs, fresh tobacco and chocolate. Incredibly dense yet soft, a silky warmth accompanies bitter orange marmalade, dried fruit and chestnut honey.

The Historical is inspired by the 19th century tradition of aging barleywine in oak barrels. This 2024 edition was aged for months with French oak wood, which releases its typical roasted and spicy notes, rounding up the warm and sweet aromas of the classic Thomas Hardy’s Ale.

“It was of the most beautiful colour that the eye of an artist in beer could desire; full in body, yet brisk as a volcano; piquant, yet without a twang; luminous as an autumn sunset; free from streakiness of taste, but, finally, rather heady.”

This quote from Thomas Hardy’s ‘The Trumpet Major’ inspired Eldridge Pope Brewery to brew a tribute to the famous novelist in 1968 on the 40th anniversary of his death.

The resulting beer became a legend almost instantly, living up to the words written by Hardy that you can almost taste while reading them. Across the next half century the recipe and brand have changed hands a few times, being resurrected by the dedicated any time it comes under threat, but crucially very seldom being available in the UK market.

Most recently it was acquired in 2012 by the Vecchiato brothers of Italy’s Interbrau. Their stewardship has continued to develop the legend that fills beer cellars the world over.

11.3%

250ml bottle

 

Thomas Hardy’s Ale is a Barley Wine whose peculiar aromas and flavours can develop over the years with a taste that matures in a manner comparable to that of the finest red wines. The 2025 edition of “The Historical” was aged for months with French oak wood, which releases its typical roasted and spicy notes, rounding

Pre-Order: Shipping From 19.11.25 First brewed in 1968, Thomas Hardy's Ale is Barley Wine that improves its taste and aromas over the years. In 2015 a small quantity of Thomas Hardy's Ale was left to rest for months in oak barrels, just like the first vintage: this was our original "The Historical". The search for unique flavors led the 2025 Vintage to be aged with the roasted and spicy notes of French oak