djaeon (15), Chula Vista, California, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 18/20 |
Mar 24, 2009 2004 Vintage.
Great hazy amber color. Thin head with average retension. Little lacing.
Very aromatic, slightly citrusy smell.
Tastes great. Lots of subtle citrus flavors. Still has a bit of an alcohol taste after aging for 4 years, but it’s not overwhelming by any means.
Very smooth mouthfeel. Goes down with ease and makes you want to take another sip.
This one seems to be easier to drink if it’s served on the cooler side. As it warms up, the alcohol taste come out a bit more.
I went to the Stone Brewery last night and they had a special tap of 2004 Old Guardian for growler fills. After aging for 4 years, I was very excited to try this one, and it doesn’t dissapoint.
This is an excelent example of how a barleywine should taste, and how they get better with age. All the subtle citrus and spice flavors (orange zest, anise, etc.) are more evident when drinking this on the cooler side. It’s very smooth with a bit of tangyness to it. As it warms up to room tempature, the alcohol flavor starts coming out more, and makes it a bit harder to drink.
 smith4498 (864), Miami, Florida, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Mar 23, 2009 Draft @ Abraxas. Pours clear copper color with minimal white head. Pine hop and sweet malt aromas. Sweet with bitter hop flavors. Medium body with moderate carbonation and a syrupy mouthfeel. Verty good.
Maverick34 (695), New York, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 14/20 |
Mar 22, 2009 Bottled, early 2k9 vintage. Pours a darkish cloudy amber with small dissipating head. Aroma is floral and hoppy. Taste is a bit bitter and woody. This guy might need some more time to age.
Elwood (677), Leesburg, Virginia, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Mar 22, 2009 Draft. Amber orange in color with a fine, white head. Boozy fruit in the nose followed by nice hop aromas. Mild carbonation with a creamy, sticky mouthfeel. Strong alcohol, caramel, roasted malt, spice, and bittering hops on the palate. This is one big beer! The bitterness is pronouced and really lasts. I think this one should age wonderfully and become a little more rounded over time.
Petrucci914 (578), Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
| 2.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 5/10 | 2/5 | 5/10 | 2/5 | 15/20 |
Mar 21, 2009 Pours a dirty golden color with some particulate, and a light soapy head. Aroma is dirty hop, slight citrus, and some soapiness. Tastes about the same. Taste is really astringent and soapy. It’s like a bad IPA.
shawn14505 (34), Rochester, New York, USA
| 4.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 |
Mar 20, 2009 2009 22oz bomber; This beer is perhaps the best offering from Stone. I dare to say that it is in fact better than the Double Bastard, if only slightly. People are saying that the hops overpower the malt, but I feel that it is almost perfectly balanced. More akin to a East Coast DIPA than a Barleywine. Heck of a deal at $4.20 a bottle. Drink and enjoy, this is a masterpiece by any measure.
thefrutigers (100), , Arizona, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Mar 18, 2009 bottle 22oz: 2009 release: Poured a murky amber with a small head. Hops smells with grapefruti and pine. Tasted sweet and malty with extreme hop flavor and bitterness. Lasting bitterness...long lasting! Medium body.
Overall really enjoyed and would not mind letting one of these age and try later.
warfield (17), Colorado, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Mar 15, 2009 ridiculous.....epic bitterness, great hops, 11% barleywine...have a 22oz cellared!
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