Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

Tap... Poured ruby with a frothy white head. Floral aroma with a hint of alcohol. The alcohol is pretty well hidden in the initial flavor by the candy and bubble gum malt flavors. Dry hops follow up with a touch of warming alcohol in the aftertaste. Really smooth and relaxing.

orange and tangerine. Very reminiscent of the 10th anniversary IIPA, but more refined. Alcohol is strong, but blending with hops in a nice way. No abrasive fusels at all. Some sort of taste/smell that reminds me of being on the boat in the lake in the summer. I have no idea what it is, but it’s really weird to notice. gummy candy. Really a sweet IIPA with a perfectly balanced sweetness meshed with fruity hops. not really even noticing the bitterness, mostly just sugar, but not cloyingly sweet. Palate is slick and smooth, but light enough to make this emminently drinkable.

A Mes rate: Bottle thanks to Greg and Mitch from Stone.
Rich amber coloured with a good white head and beautiful condition. Aroma of big peppery hops, gorgeous barley and thick chewy earthy malt. Light sweetness at the top. More of the same in the flavour. Lots of legs and lovely and dry for a barely wine. Thick and chewy big alcohol sting on the finish. Chunky and luscious mouthfeel. Great stuff.

22 ounce bottle from Brad. 08 vintage. Hazy amber orange color, with an off white head, and plenty of lace. What a giant grapefruit bomb. In the nose and flavor. And bitter as hell too. Tasty though. A bit of candy sweetness up front. Medium body with medium carbonation. Balanced finish. I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve had this. I need to start getting this for the cellar.

22 ounces of the bottled brew. Yummy fun. Caramel color, caramel aroma and...caramel flavor, with a slowly approaching, wonderful hops finish. Very high alcohol not apparent, except for its affect on brain cells...

22oz bottle, pours amber and very clear, not murky at all. White head that lasts a while, and leaves a bit of lacing. Very strong hop aroma, can discern much else but hops when smelling it, maybe a bit of malt. Flavor slightly sweet and quite bitter. Alcohol is strong, and you definitely are feeling it before the bottle is gone! I’d like it better if it was a bit more swee, and a bit less bitter. But still good.

The alcohol is fairly strong at first sip but gradually diminishes as the bottle empties. It probably has something to do with the ABV%. There’s a malty sweetness that makes it palatable. Barley wine is my new best friend.

2005 Bomber. Poured a dark hazy, honey/orange color whith one-finger of eggshell head. The nose was heavy with malt and notes of fresh orange zest, banana, spices and a licorice-like alcohol perfume. The flavor started out strong and spicey, followed by a nice oaky maltiness, which was balanced with a quick hit of black licorice right at the end. There’s not much hop presence to speak of and alcohol was a bit up-front. Overall this barley wine is middle of the road. It just doesn’t seem balanced to me. It’s boozy, sweetness brings it’s drinablity way down. Maybe it needed to be cellared for a while longer.