Stone Old Guardian Belgo-Barley Wine

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

Serve in Snifter

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Draft at Twisted Spoke. Kind of sad that this is replacing the regular Old Guardian. Looks the same as the original with that deep amber color and offwhite head. Nose is pretty phenolic with clove notes, fruity, cherries and bread. Taste is slightly more subdued, though still quite round and fruity. Malt sweetness comes through as well. Okay.

On tap at PP Belgian Fest. Copper clear color. Aromas of belgian yeast and bread. Plenty of bitter hops with a tad sweet malt. Pretty dry finish overall. Not loving this one.

UPDATED: JUN 26, 2011
Name: Old Guardian 2010, Belgo
Date: March 13, 2010
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting, RBWG 2010
Appearance: hazy burnt orange, wispy beige head, bits of lace
Aroma: big spicy phenolic aroma, sweet fruity esters
Flavor: sweet malt flavor, caramel and estery sweetness, plenty of earthyness with a touch of spicy phenols

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *** /4

Name: Old Guardian 2011, Belgo
Date: June 16, 2011
Mode: Draft
Source: Taco Mac, The Fred
Appearance: clear dark rusty red, creamy beige head, solid lace
Aroma: sweet and spicy aroma, caramel sweetness, fruity esters, lots of phenolic spicyness to match the esters and the sweetness of the base barleywine
Body: creamy body
Flavor: sweet malt flavor, lots of caramel sweetness, touch of candy, fruity esters, robust spicyness with a light earthyness provides great balance, long bitter finish with a spicy phenolic edge

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *** /4

(Growler) Pours a clear deep amber body with a moderate off-white head. Aroma of Belgian yeast, cherry, toffee, caramel, and brown sugar. Flavor of caramel, fruit, grass, bread, pear, and Belgian yeast with a bitter finish.

Brownish pour. Odd aroma. Is it a BW or a belgian ale? Its both. Of course. But the BW gets totally lost. It tastes very much like an extra sweet belgian golden ale. Maybe a bit yeastier. Maybe some more body. Good, but a bit perplexing.

In short: A sweet fruity caramelized Belgian strong ale. Or is it a barley wine with a fruity yeast Belgian character? Good brew
How: Tap at Extreme Beer Fest 2010.
The look: Partly cloudy dark golden body topped by an off-white ring of foam
In long: Pleasant basic sweet fruity nose. Taste is fruity (no specific fruits), sweet (caramel, brown sugar), some leafy hops. A bit yeasty. Lively carbonation and mouthfeel. Overall it did come through as a cross Belgian strong ale and a barley wine to me. So I’d say that Stone were successful at creating this crossover beer. It’s not great but I’m surprised to see the rather low ratings so far on this nice offering. I hope Stone bottles it. It is a nice change. And I always welcome change. Especially late at night, drunk and standing in front of a vending machine full of Twinkies.

EBF amber pour with a beige head. Aroma is fruity esters pear, light plum, some melon. Also some light spiciness and candi sugar, boozey as well. Flavor is sweet candi and bubblegum with interesting fruitiness as well. Boozey, More of the pear melon, slightly dry finish. Interesting new stone

good cloudy amber color. sweet heavy aroma. bitter taste with a hint of sweet. decent.

EBF. Pours a an amber toned body with an off white head. Candied fruit, loads of fruit esters that are pear, bubble gum sweetness, candied fruit, and some light brown sugar tones. Sweet and chewy with a sweet modest warming. Okay.

Clear amber color/ white head. Light floral hop, pit fruit, spicy yeast aromas. Smooth medium body. Candi sugar sweet, heavy pit fruit, spicy flavors with a bitter finish. good.@ Winter Storm.