Thomas Hardy's Ale Yeast

[DavidDetroit]

13 years old.

I saw a 14 year old one on the sister site and wanted to reply just for fun.

 

[DavidDetroit]

Thomas Hardy, one of the best beers I will ever have.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

I'm building up a collection of mixer bottles that are smaller than 330ml for the bottling day of the Thomas Hardys. Local bar thinks it's very odd that I want these bottles.
The only bottles of Thomas Hardys I had were old but Gold.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

I have one bottle of Hardy Ale - 25th anniversary tucked away - tempted to a) drink it and b) try to propogate the yeast. Any ideas what strain it might be if viable?

My understanding is that all that will be left is the lager yeast (and I guess it may have picked up some slow-growing wild yeast at some point along the way?).

 

[DavidDetroit]

some point along the way

You may know specifically, but with an enclosed environment, wouldn't the original yeast be safe from intruders?

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Well some versions were aged in oak barrels so there'll be aliens in there most likely.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

EP had wooden fermenters, so who knows what was in there - and there's all sorts of bugs kicking around these old breweries, it's not all stainless steel drenched in caustic....