Thomas Hardy's Ale 1987 33cl
Lot number: 461621
Winning bid: £20
First produced in 1968, Thomas Hardy’s Ale is barley wine produced just once a year, with annual vintages in limited quantities. It quickly became an icon among beer and took on legendary status due to its sudden disappearance.
The quality of the product combined with its exclusivity was an explosive mix. The individual years soon became the object of vertical tastings, like those held for important Langhe or Bordeaux wines and prices went sky high. However, producing Thomas Hardy’s was very expensive and making it meant sacrificing time and means for beer intentionally produced in limited quantities. In 1999 Eldridge Pope ceased production and, for the first time, causing a hiatus in production that was only resumed in 2003. Production was carried on for 5 years by the O'Hanlon brewery.
This special bottling was produced in addition to the bottling for 1987. It was created as a celebration beer for the 150th anniversary of the Dorchester brewery.
Brewed: 1987
ABV not stated / 33cl
Bottle Number: 424