 ChainGangGuy (2776), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Sep 8, 2008
2002 and 2003 vintages.
Appearance: Pours a dark, obscured, rich amber body with a thin, beige head.
Smell: Sweetish, robust caramel maltiness with a scent of juicy raisins and a distinct Juicy Fruit note present. The 2003 has a deep fruitiness as well, but nothing reminiscient of chewing gum.
Taste: Dry, caramel-laden maltiness and a middling sweetness. Some raisins, some grape skins, and damned if I can’t shake that taste of Juicy Fruit. Several years later and there’s still a medium-high hop bitterness on-hand. Citrusy, woodsy hop tastes. Finishes bittersweet with a kick of alcohol heat right at the very end. The 2003 presents a deeper, more satisfying caramel flavor and sweetness. The hops in the 2003 bottle seemed rather muted when stacked against the 2002. Heck, even the alcohol seemed a bit more mellow in the ’03.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied. Medium-low carbonation.
Drinkability: Enjoyed as part of a vertical spanning the vintages between 2002 and 2007. The 2002, while still plenty tasty and holding up remarkably well, just didn’t quite deliver the goods like the 2003 does/did.
JohnnyJ (1436), Carlsbad, California, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Feb 11, 2010 02 bottle from winter storm 2010. Pours a deep amber with creamy caramel color head. Dominated by chewy sweet caramel malt, lots of sugar, bready malt, notes of dried fruit, and very old hops. Very enjoyable, wish I had a few bottles of this.
mcbeyond (96), Newport Beach, California, USA
| 4.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 20/20 |
Feb 2, 2010 Early 2003 Edition. Pours a dark copper with minimal head. Complex nose with fresh apples, vanilla, demerara sugar, berries, and wine vinegar. Palate is incredibly fruity on apples, melon, baked pears, tangerine with peel, bread fresh out of the oven, dark chocolate--strong dark chocolate all the way through to the long, dynamic, caressing finish. Absolutely divine!
BierBauch (679), Cape Coral Waterfront Wonderland, Florida, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 |
Jan 30, 2010 Deep golden with an orange hue and a thick head of foam that slowly developed as I poured. This is one heavy looking brew. Aroma is exploding with hops and sweet malt. Tropical fruit and citrus come to mind also with a bit of doughiness in the background. Hops are really out front here. Body is ultra smooth and full with low carbonation. The flavor here is really fantastic and I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the best breweries anywhere.(God how do they continue to do it?) Lots of fruit in the flavor and bittering hops with a huge malt base that blends everything together. There’s also something spicy in there that I can not define yet adds to the enjoyment. Overall one I could drink often as with anything by Stone. Nice going guys!
philbertk (867), Seattle, Washington, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 |
Jan 17, 2010 Stone Brewing Company--Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale--2002 Release--22 oz. Bottle--9.91% ABV. (4.0 / 5.0) Barleywine--Clear rich dark amber color. Mild Barleywine flavor. Rich sweet hop front. Sweet thick body is hot with caramel alcohol hop flavor. Easy smooth end. Mellow Barleywine is odd for Stone. Sampled 4/10/2002.
radagast83 (1357), Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Sep 27, 2009 22 oz. 2003 release. Pours an dark orange color with a small white head. Even after all this time, there is quite a bit of carbonation. Aroma is citrus, sweet caramel, with a touch of alcohol, though well hidden. Flavor is sweet, touches of citrus but not very hoppy after all this time. Aged quite well.
LooseCannon (938), Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 |
Sep 15, 2009 22oz Bottle 2001 vintage courtesy of TheBeerGod at Immy’s Backyard Throwdown. Pours copper in color with tan head. Aroma citrus hops and malt. Taste malty, sweet and citrus hops with bitter finish.
zizzybalubba (457), Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA
| 4.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 |
Jul 20, 2009 22 oz. bottle courtesy of TheBeerGod at Immy’s Backyard Throwdown (2001 vintage). Pours reddish-orange with an off-white head. Surprisingly well carbonated considering this is 8 years old. Also surprisingly hoppy aroma for an 8 year old beer. This is just smooth for a barleywine. Incredibly well-balanced caramel sweetness balanced with bitter citrusy hops. The recent ratings are way too low in my opinion. This is extraordinary.
dkachur (2669), Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 5/5 | 17/20 |
Jul 20, 2009 Updated: Jul 25, 20092001 22 ounce bottle shared by TheBeerGod at Immy’s Backyard Throwdown. Thanks Mike! Pours a red color with floaties. Medium head with good head retention and lacing. Aroma is toffee, nutty notes and citrus hops. Taste is strong citrus hops with toffee and caramel notes. Very bitter and well balanced. Full bodied. Extraordinarily impressive after all these years.
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