Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

Rerate, growler. Beautiful aroma, very sweet, fruity, like raisins, malty, with a quite a bit of citrus hops. Attractive appearance, a nice hazy orange/copper color, with an off-white head that lingers slightly. The flavor is surprising, it has an astringent quality I didn’t expect given the aroma (somewhat like Bklyn Monster Ale.) It is mainly grapefruit, sweet ripe fruits, malty. I’m surprised by a lack of alcohol in the flavor as well, given its ABV. Thick syrupy mouthfeel. The palate is almost pure bittering hops, grapefruit. Complex and enjoyable, a great barley wine.

bomber from the cheese man! 2006 edition. Murky brown pour with a very small off white head. Aroma is BIG on sweet malt, and some nice hops, and a touch of fruit. Wow, this smells so much of a big glass of caramel. Flavour is very smooth, some big matly notes, the hops come through in the finish, they leave that high alpha soapiness in my mouth, with a touch of pine. Finish is nice and bitter, but not too bitter, they hops are present enough, and do they job beautifully, and the malt is the star, it leavs a wonderful sweet/caramel maltiness, and adds a bit of a brandy like sweetness. Excellent barley wine, i enjoy its not a hop monster like many other american barley wines i’ve had.

Fruit taste with a bit of a sour finish. Nice amount of alchie. Can’t wait to have another

Barley wine style ale. Pours copper in color with an off white, yellowish dissapearing head, smells sweet like berry or fruit with madness of barley. Loved it, drink two or three and youll probably never wake up.

2008 bottling. Bomber pours a hazy copper orange with a small but sturdy beige head. Aroma is restrained, surprisingly, with notes of caramel and citrusy hops. Creamy full medium body has a subdued carbonation. Taste has a solid caramel malt breadiness with plenty of hops to balance. Bitter citrus rind balances the big malt sweetness very well. Alcohol is well hidden. A very reliable American barleywine.

Bottle thanks to the brewers at home. Aroma is sweet malts, pale slightly biscuity notes, peppery and lychee off the hop. Taste is similar, i wouldnt say thin id say less body than expected and well balanced which makes this incredibly drinkable. The whole 22once bottle was gone in half an house.

On tap at the Blind Tiger in NYC. This beer is very thick and creamy, with a sweet and hoppy flavor that is in great balance. Its quite complex and has a long-lasting flavor profile. Earthy and alcohol finish. Great Barleywine.

clear amber orange with a stiff creamy head. Woody pine resin, bread and grapefruit, with alcohol notes in the nose. An alcohol perfume over sweet malt backed up by some nice tangy citrus and earthy hops. Definite alcohol warmth on the way down. Finishes with a thick, sweet coating that slowly fades to a sound hop bitterness.