Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

I found this one very similar to the OG 2003. Turbid coppery with big white head and aroma of malt, dark fruit, cognac, and scotch. Typical barleywine taste sensations, but as usual, kicked up a notch. Wonderful.

22 oz bottle: the aroma really grabs you at first. Smells floraly, hoppy, malty, fruity, and wonderful. The head is small, but it’s extremely creamy and swirly. beautiful deep, deep golden color. The alcohol is hidden behind a multi facited of hops, fruits, malts and buttery goodness. I like this brew because it’s quite, quite hoppy and malty. I feel similar tastes, aromas, and finishes from both IPAs and american strong ales... quite an experience.

Just got the 2005 release, in a 22 oz. bottle. I was really impressed by the sweet bitterness of this brew. It went down nice and smooth, I might have to get another bottle of this before they sell out.

22 oz. Bomber from 99 Bottles in Federal Way. Pure copper color topped with an active head that dissipates quickly, but leaves copious lace. Sweet on the tip of the tongue, but hits the hops and alcohol toward the back end. Understated hops for a Stone product, but nicely done. I’m hoping this will be on tap at The Parkway in Tacoma for their annual barleywine event. I’m aiming to cellar some of this too.

Bottle. Orange colour with a small off-white head. Hoppy hoppy fruity alcoholic aroma and taste. Medium to full body and a great light alcoholic finish. More please !!!

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.

June 4, 2007; 22 oz. bomber of 2007 vintage sampled in a Trappist glass. Ruination Ale on steroids? Flavor is sticky sweet & complex. Over-the-top hoppy, malty & bitter, but Stone somehow manages to keep this runaway train in perfect balance. Excellent, but not for the timid!

2004 bottle enjoyed New Years Eve. Pours orange-amber with a light hazy. Big malt aroma with a nice crispness to it. Lots of alcohol, strong hops, and definite notes of citrus, minerals, and pine. The flavor was wonderful. Big malts with lots of caramel and great big pine hops. Some fruit presence. This thing has really started to blend and mellow. Full bodied and creamy with a semi-dry finish. I really like this. I wish I would have saved more than one bottle. If you have any 2004 give it a try!