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Historic Thomas Hardy’s Ale returns to the UK
Thomas Hardy’s Ale, originally created as a nod to the “strong ale” described by the British writer and poet Thomas Hardy in his novel The Trumpet Major, is now available once again in the UK.
The historic barley wine style brew, will be finally available on the British market again due to a new deal that has been between the Italian distributor Interbrau Spa and West Yorkshire’s James Clay and Sons.
To give context to the beer’s heritage, it all began in 1968 when the 40th anniversary of the death of Hardy led to some prominent members of the Dorchester society founding a cultural association named the Thomas Hardy Society, to promote his works. Among these there was also the Pope family, owner of the Eldridge Pope brewery, who decided to celebrate the event by giving life to the historical “strong ale” Hardy had described in his book The Trumpet Major.
Hardy had written: “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. The masses worshipped it, the minor gentry loved it more than wine.”
Packaged in numbered and vintage-dated bottles, given the predisposition of this barley wine to age in the cellar for decades, the 1968 Thomas Hardy’s Ale was meant to be a “one shot”. However, annual production began in 1974, filling cellars of enthusiasts all over the UK with the now iconic ‘nip’ bottles. This tradition continued right through to 1999 when the Eldridge Pope brewery discontinued Thomas Hardy production due to rising costs, before eventually closing altogether.
Following this, a new chapter in the story was written, with American importer George Saxon keeping the brand alive, producing it at O’Hanlon’s brewery from 2003-2008.
Then, in 2012, long-time appreciators of the famous beer, the Vecchiato brothers of Italy’s Interbrau began their stewardship of the brand and dedicated three years of research and investment into reviving Thomas Hardy’s Ale, and released their first vintage in 2015.
Over half a century later from its first release, the reborn Thomas Hardy’s Ale, has now been produced by the Hepworth’s brewery under the guidance of brewmaster Derek Prentice and thanks to the agreement between Interbrau and James Clay & Sons will be available in Britain from this week.
Speaking to the drinks business, James Clay, managing director of James Clay and Sons, said: “We’ve known the Vecchiato family a very long time, and had been in conversation after joining them as an official Augustiner importer. Like the best things, an idea was had over the course of a beer, and we were only too happy to accept a role in continuing the Thomas Hardy story.”
James Clay and Sons communications and business development director Joe Dick told db: “We’d like to see this as an opportunity to reconnect contemporary drinkers to a properly historic British beer, that hasn’t been accessible in this country for a very long time, possibly longer than they’ve been legally able to drink.”
Sandro Vecchiato, managing director of Interbrau admitted that “ever since we first considered acquiring the Thomas Hardy’s Ale brand, we have always been aware that the brand is an important part of the British brewing tradition”.
Vecchiato assured: “We have known James Clay and Sons for decades and are confident that they are the ideal partner to ensure not only proper distribution, but also a concrete commitment to spreading and safeguarding the Thomas Hardy’s Ale tradition.”
Describing the historic ale, beer writer Melissa Cole said: “Thomas Hardy Ale is an iconic British brand that’s welcome back on the scene, it has so much character and is one of the rare beers that gets better with age. Previous years I’ve tried have had characteristics like fruit cake, leather, Madeira and Pedro Ximinez Sherry and I can’t wait to see what this iteration brings to the table.”
Beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones also added: “Like a rare beast no one has ever caught a glimpse of or a magical village that purportedly only appears once a year on a special night, Thomas Hardy’s Ale has the status of a legend, a special beer that British beer-lovers haven’t seen for some years. So it’s magnificent news that James Clay and Sons will make available both kegs and bottles of this fascinating and complex beer that not only dances on the palate with the grace and elegance of Gene Kelly in his prime, but demonstrates the ability to age through the years like a fine wine, some say up to 25 years, but who has ever had the patience to wait that long. Welcome back old friend and I look forward to tasting this most special of English ales while the rare beast and magical village will have to wait.”
Revealing who the target drinker would be, Dick suggested “It should resonate with the newfound modern drinker’s respect for traditional styles, those that enjoy the higher ABV that some modern classics offer, and those with a desire to learn more about our country’s brewing heritage.”
Giving rise to the notion that the barley wine beer style was vastly underrated, Dick also told db: “As long time importers of similar styles i.e. Belgian quad, German doppelbocks, and imperial stouts, we’re well accustomed to turning to a stronger beer as the leaves behind to turn. Barley wine perhaps is a little underappreciated in the UK, being preferred by our transatlantic counterparts, but we’re confident it’ll be well loved over here again.”
Thomas Hardy’s Ale vintage 2024 will be available in numbered and vintage dated 25cl bottles as well as 10 litre key-kegs, while the Thomas Hardy’s Ale “The Historical” aged with French oak will be attainable only in 25cl bottles.
There are a series of exclusive casks of the 2024 Vintage, racked to celebrate this momentous return. These will be served on 14 November at: The Rake in Borough Market, London; The Trafalgar in Merton, London; Cafe Beermoth in Manchester; The Free Trade Inn in Newcastle; Small Bar in Bristol; North Bar in Leeds; Whitelocks in Leeds; The Rutland Arms in Sheffield; Brew Tavern in Nottingham; Koelschip Yard in Glasgow and when it reopens for the season The Anderson in Fortrose.
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