Thomas Hardy’s Ale

In this occasional series, we are sharing literary tipples – the drinks enjoyed by our great writers. Today’s tipple wasn’t actually available at the time this author lived. Instead it was created in his memory.

Thomas Hardy’s Ale, a beer that has become a legend in the world of brewing, was first crafted in 1968 by the Eldridge Pope Brewery in Dorchester, England. This ale was no ordinary brew; it was a rich, strong ale, inspired by a reference in Thomas Hardy’s 1880 novel The Trumpet-Major, where he describes a beer that could last “until it was old enough to vote.”

This beer was originally brewed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hardy’s death, and the brewery’s aim was to craft a beer that could be aged, much like fine wine, developing complexity and depth over time. With an alcohol content that often exceeded 12%, Thomas Hardy’s Ale was a potent brew, renowned for its rich maltiness, fruity notes, and sherry-like character.

Each bottle of the original 1968 brew was individually numbered and sealed with a cork, further enhancing its status as a collector’s item. The beer quickly gained a reputation for its ability to age gracefully, with some enthusiasts cellaring bottles for decades.

Eldridge Pope continued to produce Thomas Hardy’s Ale until 1999 before shutting its doors the following year. During this period, the ale became a symbol of the brewery’s craftsmanship and dedication to traditional brewing techniques. After the closure of Eldridge Pope, the beer’s future was uncertain, but it found new life and a 50th Anniversary “Golden Edition” was produced in 2018. Today, Thomas Hardy’s Ale remains a sought-after brew for connoisseurs, celebrated for its rich history, complex flavour, and the sense of timelessness it embodies, and the bottles have become collector’s items.