Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

Getting notebook online. Bottle, 2008. Pours a cloudy deep amber. Aromas are subtle but some good sweet grains and caramel. Taste is sweet and caramel like. Hops come in a little later to add to the party. I am aging my second bottle so I will have to take better notes then. Bottle of the 2004 at Stone Winter Storm (01/25/09)! Did a vertical with the 2003. Color was a little lighter in color. Alcohol more pronounced in the flavor ans the mouth. Also vanilla hints come through more clearly. I prefer the 2003 but still good!

First rating
65 cl bottle thanks to deft. BB March 2010. Hazy copper color, orange head. Milky, alcohol, malty, grainy, fat, sweet scent. Bitter alcohol taste. Smooth mouthfeel, high bitterness. Not good.
6/3/4/4/9=2.6

Rerate
On May 30, 2009
Hazy copper color, tan head. Lactic, alcohol, sweet scent; same goes for taste, though with a good amount of bitterness. Thick mouthfeel. Like it better than last time. Warming alcohol.
6/3/6/4/12=3.1

Bomber, from Charles Street Liquors. Pours amber-brown with a small head. Aroma is of blended malts, sweet raisin, milk chocolate and fruit. Flavor was an extremely mature and balanced concoction of nuts, caramel malt, wood and come complementing hops. This was easily the most mature Barley Wine I’ve ever tasted. Just a fantastic beer to be enjoyed with friends possessing a discerning palate.

Bottle, 65 cl, thanks deft. Hazy amber, medium tan head. Earthy malt aroma, some burnt sugar, spicy and citric hops. Full bodied, medium carbonation. Dry finish with a firm bitterness, and slightly metallic. Overrated.

Its not very often that Im disappointed with a high-end brewer like Stone, but I gotta say Im far from impressed with this brew. The aroma was strong and promising but upon tasting I couldnt help but be surprised with an overbearing sweetness and some burning alcohol on the finish. If I werent splitting this with a friend im not sure I would be able to finish this.

Bottle thanks to Bman1113VR. Orangey colored pour with a soapy green tinted head. Nose is boozey, raisins, dry malt, and fruity citrus hops. Nice nose. Medium to thick mouthfeel. Long pronounced finish that is fairly bitter. Taste is sweet dried fruits, dark candi sugar, and fruity citrus. Nice beer.

a great solid example of a barley wine. balanced malty hoppy. I like all my beer warm and flat in a brandy sniffer. usually warm it up with my hands and let it sit for a bit... i spend some time with it. great front side and top of the tongue flavor, leaves a slight bitterness at the back.

Bottle 65 cl. Hazy amber with a small off-white head. Lots of malt - caramel, bread and some raisins. Fruity notes of peach. Quite some hops as well. Grapefruit aroma revealed on tasting. The flavor is initally sweet, leaving way to a long-lingering, subtle bitterness. The mouthfeel is burning with stinging carbonation.