Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

22 ounces of the bottled brew. Yummy fun. Caramel color, caramel aroma and...caramel flavor, with a slowly approaching, wonderful hops finish. Very high alcohol not apparent, except for its affect on brain cells...

22oz bottle, pours amber and very clear, not murky at all. White head that lasts a while, and leaves a bit of lacing. Very strong hop aroma, can discern much else but hops when smelling it, maybe a bit of malt. Flavor slightly sweet and quite bitter. Alcohol is strong, and you definitely are feeling it before the bottle is gone! I’d like it better if it was a bit more swee, and a bit less bitter. But still good.

The alcohol is fairly strong at first sip but gradually diminishes as the bottle empties. It probably has something to do with the ABV%. There’s a malty sweetness that makes it palatable. Barley wine is my new best friend.

2005 Bomber. Poured a dark hazy, honey/orange color whith one-finger of eggshell head. The nose was heavy with malt and notes of fresh orange zest, banana, spices and a licorice-like alcohol perfume. The flavor started out strong and spicey, followed by a nice oaky maltiness, which was balanced with a quick hit of black licorice right at the end. There’s not much hop presence to speak of and alcohol was a bit up-front. Overall this barley wine is middle of the road. It just doesn’t seem balanced to me. It’s boozy, sweetness brings it’s drinablity way down. Maybe it needed to be cellared for a while longer.

I bought a 2008 last week, and i couldn’t resist opening it today. the smell is hoppy and sweet at the same time, i think maybe i can smell some cinnamon or something like it, it has a spicy aroma. smells heavy also, like a hot cider. at first i couldn’t smell any alcohol. but after the first taste it smells a little like a fine whiskey or scotch. the drink, when poured, is VERY cloudy (opaque really) and is the normal dark brown/orange color, but i think it looks a little purple or blue in the middle. doesn’t taste sweet because they have added a lot of bitter hops. no citrus taste here, folks. i like it, but it lacks some depth, i can’t really discern the flavors past the initial malt, and the subsequent hop aftertaste. not my favorite barleywine, but i recommend it.

2008 Bottle. Pours a deep copper with a light head. Aroma is deep with hops and alcohol. Flavor is wow. Strong hops punch. Taste doesnt really develop as it goes as I’d expect, but the hops linger. Light malt and citrus hints though. Overall, very powerful, pretty good. Very hoppy.

First of all, great looking bottle. All of Stone’s are, but this one is very cool. Who could read that novel on the back though? Got a couple sentences in and gave up. Anyways, this is not as dark as I expected and is very smooth and sweet for the style. Very surprised to see such a high ABV, it is very well hidden. It’s gonna be tough, but i would drink this again if possible.

2007 bomber provided by oteyj Amber pour, off white head, excellent lacing Aroma not as strong as expected, some slight fruits and hops Sweet and smooth, with a kick of hops in the aftertaste gives this brew some real character. Very tastey B wine