Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

Pours in orange/amber with a creamy off white head which leaves nice lacing on the glass. Aroma is moderately sweet, toffee, vinuous fruits (plum/raisin) with some citrus from the hops. Moderate alcohol considering 11% ABV. Flavor is complex with and mirrors aroma. Hops are prominent but do not overwhelm. Very smooth finish. Medium light mouthfeel. An excellent Barley Wine.

re-rate: Had rated this higher. I like the beer, but I think it is too heavy with the hops and light on the malty candy flavors for the style. I prefer a thicker, more contemplative barley wine. This is a style I like a lot. I drink mostly wine, but this is why I like beer. The aroma is "noble." I don’t know what that means, but it’s the best way I can say to describe it. It’s a profound beer. The heavy maltiness is matched by hoppiness. There are no gimmicks. It’s not a game of how much hops can you put in--the more the better. This beer is perfectly balanced. It’s a bit more heavy than complex, but that’s a criticism of the style, not the beer.

Sweet juice-like aromas of pear and banana dominate. Lavender and cinnamon notes. Produces a laquer-like burn on the nose. Pastry dough malt aroma, hint of hops. Flavor of carmel apple up front, some sour hops in mid, toasted malts. Finishes slighlty bitter, but fruity, like sour apples. Groggy alchohol flavors, like cherry coke + whisky. Acidic palate,major alchohol burn. Vibrant hops-induced dryness that I didn’t expect in a B-wine.

Poured a murky brown caramel color with a white head. Aroma of caramel, hops, and alcohol. Flavor is very malty, not much hops to be seen which is surprising from Stone but still very good.

22 oz Bomber-12/6/07 (case dated)-Poured a clear orange copper color w/almost no head but good lacing. Sweet aroma, flavors of sweet honey, apricot, peach, cane sugar & caramel. Has quite a kick & warms you up, but the high alcohol doesn’t overwelm you. Long, sweet finish. Very enjoyable

On tap at the brewery. Vintage 2007. Pours a clear amber with a creamy off-white head. Nice lacings. Sweet and somewhat bitter. Aromas of caramel and a light alcohol touch. Full bodied with a slightly sticky mouthfeel Soft carbonation. Slightly chalky finish.

Bottle, 2008. Cloudy, deep, orange-ish copper with small ring of white creamy head. Citus aroma with alcohol and notes of mildly roasted malt. Sharp, bitter taste of resiny hops with an alcoholic finish and wamth. Could not drive (legally) after this one.

v. limited early 2008 bright orange tint, tall white head clings thin. candied sweet aroma and a spicy, alcoholic taste. alcohol level somewhat burns on the palate. Would advise at least a year wait.