Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

"is it possible for a beer to punch you in the face (twice-first a malt jolt, then tremendous hops), and yet still leave you wanting to drink another right away. that was my first experience with this massive-in-every-way beer, and I haven’t changed my mind. BEST BARLEYWINE EVER!!! the only thing preventing this from being a 5 is that it was better fresh...it didn’t age as well as a Barleywine should."

Fiery burnt orange body with a towering milky white head. Thick and syrupy...coats the inside of the glass and leaves tremendous sticky lacing. Aroma is brown sugar, toffee, and caramel with a hint of ripe citrus. Flavor follows; not overly sweet but does have a bit of an alcohol punch. Another solid brew from Stone.

Had a very malty and caramel aroma. Very well balanced with hops and a light touch of brown sugar. Good brew. Could definitely use some more age for blending but was not bad after only a few years.

2009 bomber. Pours a hazy amber with a dense 2 finger beige head that results in great lacing. The nose is floral hops and malt. The taste is sweet malt, brown sugar, ripe fruits and a bitter citrus/yellow grapefruit rind finish. Medium creamy body. My kind of BW, nice and hoppy.

Pours out light red with creamy foam. Smells sweet and piney. Taste is sweet malt upfront with lots of bitter hops to finish. Thick and complex, but good balance. Pretty strong now but will mellow with age. Tasty brew.

quite extraordinary, hop flavor with many malts and some pine spices. The palate is full bodies, high alcohol but hidden with plenty of flavor.

The aroma is very hoppy with pine and citrus as well as butter and caramel malt. The appearance is deep amber with a large head. The flavor is like the aroma with a very bitter finish. The palate is thick and smooth. Overall a very well made beer that is just too bitter.

Still clear pour with a little haze. Brown-orange color with a thin light tan head. Lots of malt and caramel flavor. Floral and fruity with pineapple and peach. Bitter malt flavor with caramel and molasses. Fruity with some grain and an alcohol finish. Bitterness lingers. Very heavy.