Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (Red Wine Barrel)

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

Growler fill from brewery. Pours a dark reddish amber color with about a finger of beige head that soon disappears. Aroma of sweet and sticky caramel along with hop-inspired fruitiness and just a hint of red wine. Flavor of mild caramel, fruity hoppiness, and some red wine including tannins. The hops push through in the relatively bitter finish which is also somewhat dry due to the tannins from the red wine. Altogether, it’s rather on the bitter side considering the sweetness in the nose. Been quite a while since I’ve had the regular OG, so can’t compare. Good, but seems to be lacking complexity compared to other barley wines, especially considering the barrel aging.

1ltr growler picked up for me by DuffManSW, thanks man. Poured kindof an orangish/dark yelow color. Good dose of hops and some caramel in the aroma. More hops for flavor, a little malt undertone, slightly rich with dark fruits and just a little of the wine barrel in the finish, pretty good.

Growler from mspindler and DuffmanSW pours a golden reddish color with small diminishing head. Aroma is a little sweet with some caramel. Taste of vanilla, a bit of oak, nice aftertaste. The wine barrel really mellowed this beer out , but beware it sneaks up with you at almost 12%. Really good and smooth

Growler shared with DuffmanSW and JoeTheYounger. Pours a dark amber color with a beige film. Aroma is caramel and vanilla first, then pine, oak and citrus, a hint of red wine, somewhat subdued actually. Flavor is caramel and good deal of oaky vanilla and red wine tannins. Hops are mellowed significantly compared to the original, but still provide a good deal of bitterness. Slight alcohol heat. Full bodied, sticky, low carbonation.

Growler Fill.. Pours orange amber with a off white head...Caramel, citrus, faint smell of grapes and alcohol..Lots of caramel, woody, it seems like the one really mellowed out from the aging.. Not sure what year went into the barrel but this one is not very harsh.. Good stuff

Draft, Brickskeller. Unfiltered brandy colored body, thin dark tan head. Nose is woody/nutty oak and a mix of caramel and red grapes. Body is oily and full, texture is somewhat harsh and abrasive, with a husky bite on the back of the tongue, combined with the high alcohol presence it’s a little bit annoying. Rich and sticky toffee, caramel, red grapes, plums and sweet tobacco round this one out. Nice.

On tap at Hamilton’s 2nd Saturday. Pours a nice rich amber. Oak, vanilla, caramel. Nice sweetness. The red wine notes did not come out to me. I had this one after the French Oak Double Bastard and I think that was still heavy on my palate so i will have to re-rate this one someday.

Source:Guest tap at DLD.
Glass:Tulip.
Appearance:Dark amber pour with a one finger beige head.
Aroma:oak, vanilla, red wine, caramel malt and a hint of alcohol.
Flavor:Oak, fruity wine and caramel malt with a warming finish.
Palate:Medium/full body with soft carbonation.
Overall:Didn’t care for this as much as the regular OG.