Thomas Hardy's Ale Now In Ontario

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:28 am

In today's edition of his What's Brewing column, Josh Rubin reports that the world-renowned Thomas Hardy's Ale is now available in Ontario.

Roland and Russell, a company that previously specialized in importing wines and spirits from Eastern Europe, have recently become agents for O'Hanlon's, the brewery that has produced Thomas Hardy's since the brand was revived in 2003.

Several vintages are currently available at beerbistro, with prices ranging from $15.99 to $19.50, and Smokeless Joe & Volo will be receiving stock when the next shipment arrives in a month or two. In addition, Roland and Russell are accepting private orders at a cost of $112.80 per case (24 x 8.5 oz). They can be contacted at sales@rolandandrussell.com or 416-801-9885.

Bar Towel News link: http://www.bartowel.com/news/archives/000254.php

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:11 am

Great news that it is available and we have a choice where to get it - thanks G.

flip · Post by **flip** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:01 pm

I never thought I'd see this beer in Ontario, let alone have the chance to order a case of it.

I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on some this and sent an email to request a case. A lady called me back a couple of hours later to get the details. Nice service!

FYI: She mentioned that Roland and Russell has managed to get O'Hanlon's Royal Oak selected for next Fall's LCBO beer release.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:56 pm

I'll be ordering a case of this as well.

Thanks for the heads up, Greg!

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:13 pm

I've gotten word from Joe that O'Hanlon's Wheat, Port Stout, Royal Oak, and Yellow Hammer are currently available at Smokeless.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:05 pm

Wheatsheaf · Post by **Wheatsheaf** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:16 pm

flip wrote:I never thought I'd see this beer in Ontario, let alone have the chance to order a case of it.

Thomas Hardy's was a consignment offering from Esprit three years ago. The price was about $170 per case, so $112-and-change seems like a bargain.

inertiaboy · Post by **inertiaboy** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:43 pm

I talked with Roland and Russell today and got some more information:
- the earliest vintage available from the brewery is 2006
- they are currently taking orders for the 2006 and expect delivery in 4-6 weeks and by early March at the latest
- the 2007 vintage will be available in the fourth quarter this year
- they can also piggyback other beers on an order from the brewery if anyone is interested.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:28 pm

I ordered some by phone - Lillianna says the supply is very limited. So better to move on it than miss out.

hops are your friend · Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:22 pm

Belgian wrote:I ordered some by phone - Lillianna says the supply is very limited. So better to move on it than miss out.

After seeing this post I emailed Roland and Russell saying I would call them Friday morning to place my order. A few minutes after I sent the email, Lillianna called to say they were placing their order first thing Friday and so I placed my order in right then. I'm not sure if anyone else will see this message in time, but if you do, you really have to act fast if you want to get in on this order.

viggo · Post by **viggo** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:27 pm

I ordered mine today, good service from these guys.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:55 am

I got a bit more info from R&R regarding the Thomas Hardy's and other O'Hanlon's beers:

We're expediting this order because the quantities are limited and we are trying to get as many cases as possible before they are reserved for other markets. The French and the Italians are showing interest and O'Hanlons told us they will be shipping THA to those countries. This is one of the reasons we are rushing with this order. If there is more interest we will place another order in the near future keeping in mind that to get the best price we need to order full pallets.

Roland + Russell will have a limited number of cases available on consignment, at a slightly higher cost.

The 2007 vintage will not be released until the fourth quarter of this year. We will do our best to secure whatever is left from the 2006 vintage.

All other O'Hanlon's beers (Original Port Stout, Royal Oak, Yellow Hammer and Double Champion Wheat Beer) may also of course be ordered year round through Roland + Russell with the exception of Goodwill Bitter which is a Christmas beer.

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:29 pm

There's still time to get in on this order but you'll have to contact them over the weekend to add your name to the list. Orders are subject to case availability from the brewer.

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:50 pm

Order confirmed today. Apparently Greg will get notified here first when the product is in and final pricing is set. Good stuff.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:35 pm

Brief update from Valdo at R+R about the O'Hanlon's order:

The first shipment should be here in the LCBO warehouse by the
end of March. The second one will follow soon after, it left for Glasgow
last week so it should be in April. The private ordering process is so
brutally slooow!

I'm not sure which shipment includes the Thomas Hardy's, or if there is some included in both of them. I guess we'll find out when the first one arrives.

Vlado also filled me in on a couple of other breweries that they are repping - I'll be making a news post about that soon.