Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later)

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

Bouteille early 2009: Un appétissant parfum d’houblons rappelle le détergent à plancher Pine Oil, le mal de tête et les saignements de nez en moins. Jolie robe orangée / rougeâtre, opaque. En bouche, j’ai pour ma part trouvé que l’amertume s’exprimait beaucoup trop, voire agressivement en face de la douceur du malt en comparaison d’autres exemples propres au style. Alcool très fort en bouche.

Probablement un cas de bière trop « fraîche ».

While my personal preference leans more towards English style Barleywines, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a heartily hopped Barleywine with Bigfoot and Old Ruffian coming to mind. Stone is new to Florida and is slowly building their market and customer base. They are an excellent brewery dedicated to brewing exquisitely delicious brews of their own darkest desires. Whether you like them or not is of no concern to them; quality, commitment, and taste is their mission. It just so happens that with those steadfast qualities there can only be one end result: damn good beer. Each year Stone offers their contribution to the Barleywine market: Old Guardian. She ages beautifully and is equally decadent young, though a little rebellious and hot under the collar. This is my first year of Old Guardian so along with savoring her fresh, as you shall read below, you better believe I have a couple bottles set aside to mature and age for an undetermined number of years.

Available in large 22oz bombers with their mischievous Gargoyle mascot on the front, Old Guardian certainly embodies its namesake. Hazy amber-orange, lighter orange glints cower under the billowing head of coppery-orange doom which threatens to overflow. I can’t have that; a drop of beer spilt is a drop of blood spilt. After her release, she slowly settles down into a thick coppery layer of mousse-like consistency. A few large bubbles gather at the middle to converse and discuss their strategy for conquering my palate. Have I awoken a sleeping giant? Lifting my glass, I am immediately assaulted with hops of the sweet and succulent variety which hit hard and fast before stepping aside to allow her mossy, vegetal, grassy and piney nature to emerge. I can already tell this is going to be at least a one hour sipper with much contemplation, revelation, and inspiration. Keeping the balance are crunchy breadsticks lying next to apricots, oranges, and tangerines with their skins adding an extra snap of enjoyment. Wholly enraptured, my first kiss is like a wet dream of which adults can only dream. While the extreme wet mossy dankness tinged with tropical esters and crunchy breads had me a bit leery, her body is a whole different story. Balance is the name of her game. Her mouthfeel is soft velvet and gentle creaminess which coats with honeycomb sweetness. She lingers with dry grass while herbs such as basil, thyme, and rosemary linger in my breath. Splintered wood and citric skin dries my palate just enough to entice further mouth-watering thirst which I am more than happy to quench. Sweet in the front, dry and bitter in the middle to finish, with herbs lingering in my breath. A big Barleywine, it comes as no surprise that Old Guardian exudes warmth which my body equally echoes. The longer we mingle, the more warmth she exudes which leads into notes of bourbon and vanilla. I’m glad I am at home relaxing so that I can fully enjoy this beautiful beer.

Stone never ceases to amaze me. Even their few standard beers are a step above most, so it comes as no surprise to me that their Old Guardian has foisted the number two spot in my current beerfolio for Barleywine greatness. Make sure to grab a couple three bottles; one to enjoy fresh and one or two to age for future enjoyment.

Copper in color with an average sized off-white head. Aroma is spicy with hops, caramel, booze, and light grass. Taste is of hops, caramel, malt, and booze with a smooth medium body.

On tap at the brewery 07-10-09. Pours a deep brownish amber with nice head. Has a phenomal caramel aroma balanced with vanilla and honey and a touch of pine. Well balanced barley wine that has a great mouthfeel on tap. A bit too much alcohol flavor, but I’d love to taste some older vintages to see if that mellows out.

07 bottle. Orange amber pour with a brownish orange small head. Aroma is toffee, caramel and fruit, raisins and apricots mostly. Very malty. It has a sweet, malty flavor as well with brown sugar, molasses, apricots and a nice spicyness. A very nice sweet barleywine that’s very smooth. The couple years of age have probably done this beer some good.

Bottle. Bronze and clear with a small head. Sweet full bodied taste.Powerful but not as much as I had expected. Dangerously drinkable and very impressive.

Early 2009 22oz. bottle. Great golden amber color with light lacing. Sweet nose with a bit of hops. Same goes for the flavor, a nice sweetness balanced by the bitterness of the hops.