Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

Overall a good barleywine, but it wasn't particularly unique. Maybe I was expecting too much. It is pretty hoppy...

this is a nice change up from the double bastard I have been drinking. It’s a slightly more elegant beer with a pleasant thick mouth feel.

Very in your face, but balanced. Stong alcohol. Had 2007 release. Big I think so. Not for the weak.

Old Guardian is so strong yet so smooth it will make you feel like you got kicked in the nuts but yet still want to come back for more. Yes this is the brewage that is that good.

Limited Early 2009 Release. 1 pt 6 fl oz bottle poured into 16 oz snifter. Sweet, thick ,hoppy aroma reminicent of an imperial/ double IPA. Nose is subtley warm and very malty. The body is huge with very rich malt and hop notes and tons of alcohol. There’s a pleasant amount of sweetness in this barleywine but you’ll get knocked on your butt after a few gulps. Finish is full of malt and alcohol. Less like a barley wine and more like a titanic Imperial IPA. A fantastic beer for deep cold of a Rochester winter and one that will last you all evening. A pleasure to drink and another fine brew from Stone!

2004 Old Guardian from a growler (yeah baby) bought at Stone ($7 growler fill). 3 years old. No head, but a little carbonation. Nice background oxidation smell, a perfect amount. The beer is cloudy. I didn’t know aging made the beer cloudy. It was interesting to see the guy gingerly filling the bottle of aged old Guardian, while the next growler was overflowing with some other stuff. Very well balanced hops and sweetness. I should probably rerate with a fresh batch, this one is too good!

22oz. Pours a hazy amber brown and a medium white head. Aroma is great, big malt body ad hops, piny notes. Taste is complex deep, evolving, and nicely balanced. Great, thick, complex palate. I am really enjoying this guy. Today I an the RB DD, whoo hoo !

Rated 4/21/06: Limited early 2006 release, 11.26% abv with a long story on the back in print that is way too small. WoW this beer knocked my socks off in every aspect. Poured a subtle golden amber color with pencil thin head and no lacing, occaisional bubbles float to the surface - cool. Sitting next to me my wife suddenly said "your beer smells like wine" exactly, the aroma is a floral bouquet of super sweet malts complimented by citrus and sweet hops. Overpowering and aggressive the sweet scent invites you to sample the precious nectar that awaits. Flavor is extremely intense melding loads of malts, sweet and bitter with a dry hoppiness that shouldn’t work but it does all too well. The alcohol walks through the door and shakes your hand but you are still thinking about the malts. The flavor lends itself to a smooth mouthfeel that finishes slightly bitter, the perfect ending to a wonderful story. Overall this is intense and beautiful, truly another fantastic effort created by Stone. Cudos