Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

22 oz. bottle 2009 release - Poured clear dark copper color with medium off white head. Aroma - grassy hops, graprfruit and sweet malt. Flavor - Really nice grapefruit/mango taste. It tastes more like a DIPA with some BW characteristics. Palate - definite hop spice on tongue. Medium/heavy mouthfeel with good carbonation. Finish is dry and alcohol lingers in aftertaste along with grassy hops. Overall - damn nice bw with no age on it. I would like to try an aged bottle and rereate!

Taste 3/9 bottle. Looks: Murky and ruddy brown with a smattering of bubbles. Aroma: Quite hoppy (rather fresh bottle) with some sweet malt and sour yeast must. Taste: Very hoppy barleywine with sweet malt and spice. Some must and raisin. Not really noticing the abv at all. Almost a IIPA/Barleywine cross. I like it. I’m sure aged the barleywine side would become more to the front. I’m enjoying it like this.

2008 vintage @ the porter. Nose: white grapes and pomegranits! Flavor: alcohol, candy, very sweet yet smooth!! Very smooth! Hops hit you at the end and linger.

You really can’t go wrong with Stone, and this is the case again with this tasty BW. Pours a little lighter than expected, sort of a peach-amber. Aroma is initially hoppy, followed by dull, sweetish, hard-liquor-ish fumes. Flavor is not too sweet. Very smooth, not overpowering in booziness, though the 11+% is apparent in the end. Nothing about this really sticks out as "wow", but it’s just damn good all-around. Elegant, one might say. Overall, very good+.

2004 Vintage. Great hazy amber color. Thin head with average retension. Little lacing. Very aromatic, slightly citrusy smell. Tastes great. Lots of subtle citrus flavors. Still has a bit of an alcohol taste after aging for 4 years, but it’s not overwhelming by any means. Very smooth mouthfeel. Goes down with ease and makes you want to take another sip. This one seems to be easier to drink if it’s served on the cooler side. As it warms up, the alcohol taste come out a bit more. I went to the Stone Brewery last night and they had a special tap of 2004 Old Guardian for growler fills. After aging for 4 years, I was very excited to try this one, and it doesn’t dissapoint. This is an excelent example of how a barleywine should taste, and how they get better with age. All the subtle citrus and spice flavors (orange zest, anise, etc.) are more evident when drinking this on the cooler side. It’s very smooth with a bit of tangyness to it. As it warms up to room tempature, the alcohol flavor starts coming out more, and makes it a bit harder to drink.

Draft @ Abraxas. Pours clear copper color with minimal white head. Pine hop and sweet malt aromas. Sweet with bitter hop flavors. Medium body with moderate carbonation and a syrupy mouthfeel. Verty good.

Bottled, early 2k9 vintage. Pours a darkish cloudy amber with small dissipating head. Aroma is floral and hoppy. Taste is a bit bitter and woody. This guy might need some more time to age.

Draft. Amber orange in color with a fine, white head. Boozy fruit in the nose followed by nice hop aromas. Mild carbonation with a creamy, sticky mouthfeel. Strong alcohol, caramel, roasted malt, spice, and bittering hops on the palate. This is one big beer! The bitterness is pronouced and really lasts. I think this one should age wonderfully and become a little more rounded over time.