Old Rosie is the best of the supermarket standard stock! I'm extremely sad to confess it blows Thatchers supermarket pop out of the water, on account of the fact I grew up with Thatchers when it was GREAT!We get lucky down here and, every now and then, get to have Old Rosie poured through a wooden tap at the back of the bar! I still prefer the home brew of the farms around here! They'll make up a thousand or so gallons a season and that's it! Around September it tastes lively and, dare I say, virginal? By February it's a very mature and unpredictable bitch of a drink, but divine! It's absolutely wonderful in its heritage, history, and creative potential. I do believe Thomas Hardy was rather fond of a hot toddy!