Thomas Hardy’s The Historical Barleywine - Wee Beer Shop

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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 Less