BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale

Subject: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: scouse
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 04:20 AM

I have a unopened bottle of this Beer dating from 1975 and intend to sell it on Ebay. Can any one tell me of the rarity of this Beer. I've heard they go for silly prices in the States.. is this true?? Any help please..
As Aye, Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 07:52 AM

A Hardy species obviously, to survive 30 years. Prices? Dunno.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Den
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 10:39 AM

I wouldn't want to drink it.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:13 AM

You would be missing a rare treat Den. Certain beers can age extremely well, like fine wine. Depending on how it was stored, this could be a very, very good ale.

I'm not sure if you can sell alcholic beverage on e-bay, or mail them in this country.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:23 AM

Thomas Hardy Ale was designed to sit in the bottle for a long time, if stored in a cool, dark place. It's not that rare, but they stopped brewing it in 1998, so it is decreasing in availability.

A 1975 bottle in poor condition (oxidised, yellowed label) sold in November 2004 for $25, that appears to be cheap compared with This link where 'stupid' seems to be the going rate.

We have a couple of bottles lurking in our cellar somewhere..... maybe now is the time to check it out.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:25 AM

And yes... it is a bloody wonderful drink, very dark, nutty, rich and with a lasting flavour.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Cool Beans
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:25 AM

See here, Scouse, I want my ale back. How do you think I was able to finish writing the Mayor of Bleepin' Casterbridge?

Yrs sincerely,
Thomas Hardy
Somewhere in Wessex

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 11:30 AM

I have 2 bottles - one from 1986 and one from 1993 that I bought at retail...and yes, they 'can' fetch someinteresting prices if you find the right place. It is good stuff for those who like chewey beer...but I'd never PAY extreme prices.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 09:52 PM

Cool - if we're going to be pedantic (as I am frequently), 1) Wessex is now only fictional, it has no legal status as a county, borough or region. 2) Thomas Hardy is only partly buried in Dorset (his heart, to be precise, in Stinsford churchyard), the rest of him is in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey, London.

But you have the character down right. My adopted grandfather* was his paperboy and said he was the meanest man God ever blew breath into. All the stories of his parsimonies are true, even down to building an outside toilet in the house he designed (Max Gate) because it was cheaper and extinguishing fires when he left the room to save coal.

LTS

* adopted grandfather - I ran out of grandfathers so I adopted Bill Davies, a true Gentleman of the Old School.

Subject: RE: BS: Thomas Hardy's Ale
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 06:29 PM

It's back in production. an american importer bought the rights from eldridge Pope and gave the contract to produce Hardy's ale and royal Oak to O'Hanlons of devon. http://www.ohanlons.co.uk
I haven't found the Hardys yet, but the Royal Oak on draught is excellent.
If you get the chance try the Myrica as something a bit different, and the Port stout.
The Yellowhammer also goes down well at ceilidhs.