Thomas Hardy's Ale 2024

“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.”

These evocative words from Thomas Hardy’s The Trumpet Major inspired Eldridge Pope Brewery in 1968 to craft a beer in tribute to the novelist on the 40th anniversary of his death. The result was an instant legend, embodying the very essence of Hardy’s poetic description.

Over the following decades, Thomas Hardy's Ale has changed hands multiple times, with each custodian ensuring its survival against the odds. Since 2012, the Vecchiato brothers of Italy’s Interbrau have nurtured its legacy, keeping the legend alive for beer enthusiasts worldwide.

This extraordinary ale is a masterpiece of intensity and complexity, offering aromas of candied and alcohol-soaked fruits, dried figs, fresh tobacco, and chocolate. On the palate, it’s dense yet astonishingly soft, delivering silky waves of bitter orange marmalade, dried fruit, and chestnut honey. A true testament to timeless craftsmanship.