Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

Bomber - Poured a slightly cloudy reddish-amber in color with a small off-white head that quickly faded entirely. Aroma is strong of citrus hops and sweet malts. Flavor is quite hoppy with an small malt structure behind it. Alcohol well hidden for over 11%, but it does KICK!. A bit unusual... a bit too hoppy for a BW, needs more malt. An excellent beer, but I agree with other raters.. should probably be called an IIPA.

22 0z. bottle of the early limited release 2008. pours a medium body orange /amber, with a small off white head. Aroma is faint subltle malt and sugar. Starts balanced and spicey. Malt sweetness is subtle. hops are slightly citrus and spicey. has a nice warming feel and has a bitter finish. Lacks the body/malt bill , and complexity I expect in a barleywine. Still a nice beer, but seems more of IIPA

22 oz bottle. Pours amber with the head vanishing so quickly I was amazed. Tastes like alcohol and barley. Pretty good chilled, just don’t let this baby get warm or you will be sorry.

Aroma is sweet fruity hops but was not very strong. This beer pours a very nice golden amber color with nice medium head that dissipates to small thin head relatively quickly. Flavor took some getting use to. Small amounts of citrus are present but the taste is mostly of spices and hops. Somehow the combination seemed bland mid drink. Alcohol is present throughout. Finish is bitter. Overall the beer reminds me more of an IPA.

limited early 2008 release. pours a red/orange with a decent head, good lacing. aroma is hoppy and somewhat citrusy, almost like an IPA but a bit darker and fruitier. flavor is excellent- like a darker, malitier ipa with an alcohol bite. palate is delightful, really nice beer.

Pours orange with a medium head and mild lacing. Aroma is pleasant, big caramel sweetness, lots of hop spice, and floral notes highlight. Flavor is big, pine, wood esters, orange zest, faint cobwebs. Initial sweetness is quickly snuffed by a large hop presence, but the flavors blend for a short period before the sweetness recedes and all that’s left is big hop bitterness. Very nice, but lacks a certain complexity that I’ve enjoyed in others within the style. Solid and well made.

Bottle, #395   Dark pour with decent head. Great malt aroma and flavor, balanced with a bit of hop. Great barley wine!

Pours a translucent amber with a two-finger dense head that clings to the glass. The aroma packs a spicy, peppery punch above a sweet malt floral hop nose. The booze is certainly evident and comes across a bit hot. A rich caramel malt sweetness provides a nice backbone for the for the assault of citric and grassy hops. Notes of vanilla, peppery spice, smoke, unfortunately soap, and herbal, nougaty malts. The mouthfeel is creamy and softly carbonated. It’s balanced, finishes dry and is a bit hot.