Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

Gloomy copper colored with thick fluffy head. Getting a smell of this stuff made my eyes feel like they got watery. Has some ruby red grapefruit or a splash of pineapple juice along with dark black cherry presence. Gives the impression of a warm alcohol sensation just like a wine or cognac does. A bit to strong for my liking but if age is what will make this brew simmer down then i’d like to try it at a later time.

Bottle 2009 vintage. Pours hazy, orange-gold, with a thin white head. Aroma of cereal, and hops but kind of faint. Flavor is very hoppy, citrus, pine, grass definitely overpowers the malt. Chewy, bitter, with a strong kick in the aftertaste. Definitely a silent killer.

2004 - Robe brune aux reflets cuivrés très claire surmontée d’une mousse qui s’estompe rapidement. Arômes d’alcool, de malts caramélisés et de levure. Saveurs de sirop d’érable, d’alcool, de bois et de fruits rouges. (7-3-8-3-18) 2005 - Robe rouge claire aux reflets orangées surmontée d’une mousse beige qui s’estompe. Arômes de houblon floral et de malt caramélisé. Saveurs d’orge, de caramel, de houblon floral et de pain. (7-3-9-4-18)

Early 06’ Release. Poured a deep amber with a creamy off-white head. The aroma found fruits (mainly cherry) and wood . But there was also a big aroma of freshly steamed spinach and cut grass as it warmed. The flavor found fruits (cherry again) and wood. Medium body and an alcohol aftertaste. Glad I have a Late 05" and another Early 06’ to cellar because it’ll just get better.

Very nice. Poured a deep, rich ruby red with nice subdued carbonation. Aroma is wonderful: raisiny, sweet. Syrupy on the palate with a sweet, rich flavor. I’m a sucker for barleywines, but this is definitely one of the best I’ve had.

On tap at Collins Pub REAL Stong Beer Festival. 3 tasters/$6. ’04 vintage. Dark orange copper color with huge frothy head. Banana aroma. Toffee/banana taste. Good stuff, but I was expecting more.

The Old Guardian pours a deep amber color with a decent head. The aroma is of sweet malt, and a slight hint of citrus hops. The flavor was much more than I had expected. I got some sweet malt, caramel, some nice tart fruits, with a bit of hops in the end. More complex than I expected, and it all blended together very nicely. I’m glad to get a barleywine that isn’t so one dimesional as many in this style seem to be. "

2004 vintage. Poured a somewhat hazy orangeish amber with a fizzy/frothy off-white head. Rich aroma of butter toffee, sugar biscuits, molasses, and orange peel. Flavor is rich and strong with notes of toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, and citrus. The hoppy bitterness makes its presence felt in the end along with the warming alcohol. Nice flavors, and would be even better if the hops and alcohol were toned down a bit. Yet I know asking Stone to tone down hops and alcohol in a beer like this is like asking a great white to share its dinner. However, over my short time of beerdom I have come to appreciate the citrus character of American hoppy barley wines, and this is certainly an excellent example of the style. Very nice.