Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

I bought a 2008 last week, and i couldn’t resist opening it today. the smell is hoppy and sweet at the same time, i think maybe i can smell some cinnamon or something like it, it has a spicy aroma. smells heavy also, like a hot cider. at first i couldn’t smell any alcohol. but after the first taste it smells a little like a fine whiskey or scotch. the drink, when poured, is VERY cloudy (opaque really) and is the normal dark brown/orange color, but i think it looks a little purple or blue in the middle. doesn’t taste sweet because they have added a lot of bitter hops. no citrus taste here, folks. i like it, but it lacks some depth, i can’t really discern the flavors past the initial malt, and the subsequent hop aftertaste. not my favorite barleywine, but i recommend it.

2008 Bottle. Pours a deep copper with a light head. Aroma is deep with hops and alcohol. Flavor is wow. Strong hops punch. Taste doesnt really develop as it goes as I’d expect, but the hops linger. Light malt and citrus hints though. Overall, very powerful, pretty good. Very hoppy.

First of all, great looking bottle. All of Stone’s are, but this one is very cool. Who could read that novel on the back though? Got a couple sentences in and gave up. Anyways, this is not as dark as I expected and is very smooth and sweet for the style. Very surprised to see such a high ABV, it is very well hidden. It’s gonna be tough, but i would drink this again if possible.

2007 bomber provided by oteyj Amber pour, off white head, excellent lacing Aroma not as strong as expected, some slight fruits and hops Sweet and smooth, with a kick of hops in the aftertaste gives this brew some real character. Very tastey B wine

Marked as "Limited early 2008 release". Long description on the back of the bottle. Pours like syrup. Aroma is hoppy and barely wine fruity with some alcohol. Off-white head that goes away after a little bit. Really good lacing. Murky pink-orange body. Exceptionally hoppy and strong barely wine (11.26%). Probably a bit too hoppy (certainly for the style, and probably too hoppy for me). Syrupy mouthfeel with light, pleasant carbonation. Very nice alcohol presence.

2007 Bottle. Nose is faded hops and caramel, light fruit notes of peach or apricot, cherries and oak. Light alcohol. Between ruby and orange, what might be called peach-colored with a lot of bubble and a thin but bubbly white head. Smooth and silky, but somewhat bland for a barleywine considering the depth of the nose. Very heavy alcohol in the finish, which is somewhat off-putting, but there is a caramel aftertaste that is redeeming. As the palate adjusts to the alcohol-heavy flavor, some lightly bitter orange notes show up that give a touch of depth.

Light copper pour with almost pastel head and incredible lacing. Aroma was a bit lacking- mostly notes of citrus hops. In terms of drinkability, this brew is incredible. It is rediculouslywell balanced and smooth. The alcoholic content, despite being quite high, was nearly non-existant in the flavors because of this fact, and it made it a pleasure to drink. Flavor was almost overstimulating- very powerful tastes of citrus hops and smooth malts in the perfect proportions. Sticky, almost chewey mouthfeel with a nicely lingering hoppy finish. Big flavors, great balance, and robust character make up this wonderful brew- a definite winner.

The hops really take you by surprise wit this beer...great malt flavor with a lot of hop punch in the foretaste. Sweet fruit and yeast finish the beer smoothly, almost covering the alcohol taste completely.