Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
Escondido, California USA

A- Poured a deep amber color with an ample 2 finger eggshell head that adorned the top of this brew for quite a while. S- Smell was very distinctly Stone, strong maltiness, little bit of hop tinge. T- Taste was a barage of malt and alcohol flavors. Dark fruits, deep roasted flavors. M- Mouthfeel was fairly thick and had quite a bit of carbonation. D- For 11 percent this beer is damn drinkable. Very enjoyable.

This was my first barleywine and will most likely be my last. The flavor just didn’t sit well with me, as there was a huge aftertaste of alcohol. It’s almost like mixing an ale with a shot of vodka. I was however, feeling quite nice after finishing a bottle.

It had an amber body and a taste of fruity alcohol with a bit of bitterness.

Draught Orange-amber, just a small undefined rim. Fine, but quite affermative C-hops, further grapes, other dark fruit and lunaria. Wry, nearly tart hopsflavour. Some obvious caramel and piecrust. Well-bodied, slick, slightly burning MF. Surprising beer, in the sense that it feels sharp, aggressive at first, then gradually becomes dangerously easy-drinking. Less subtle (well...) than the older version, IMO.

2008 Bottle. Pours copper with an off white head. Aroma is orange, grapefruity hops, peach and caramel. Nice, full body. Flavor is subtle and well balanced, with notes of caramel, fruit, and grapefruity hops. Very good.

2009 bomber on 2/13/09 poured into a snifter glass. this one was very fresh and full of nice piney hops. This is really how I enjoy my Barely Wines... fresh and hoppy with the huge barley presence. pours a deep red with a quarter inch white head. good hop filled aroma. big presence over the palate with a bunch of spice and bitterness on the front. some caramel and alcohol lingering. excellent bitter finish. ’08 bomber on 4/5/08 - rating from notes taken. very well balanced American Barley Wine.... pours a deep red with a white head. sweet, hoppy, medium body and a thick hoppy finish. Didn’t really taste the alcohol at all.... doesn’t drink like an 11+%.

Stone Old Guardian (Early 2008) is a crystal clear, sparkling, viscous, red-orange-brown ale with a frothy light beige head with oily bubbles. The head has an eggy consistency and leaves great lacing. The aroma holds a deep, round sweetness. There are grassy, herbal, medicinal, cough drop elements in the aroma. It has a smooth full body with a crispy finish. It’s a touch gritty and sharp at the end. It has good flavor balance. It’s very bitter like lime and orange peel. It is sweet and boozy like candy. It has a hot rumble at the finish. A great barleywine! Age it!

Pours a hazy copper with a big foamy off whit head. Nice aroma of fruit, malt, hops and caramel. Sweet flavor, with malt, fruit and caramel dominating, and the hops really coming out in the finish. Very nice.