Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2005 - Stone Brewing Co.

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearence: Pours a perfectly clear copper with a thin, creamy white head.

Smell: The smell is quite enjoyable. The malts are huge, and so is the alcohol, but a suprising amount of hop presence shines through, and balance the smell perfectly.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Instantly, wood flavors burst forth with massive amounts of malt sweetness. It finishes rather dry, with the hops playing a key role. This is possibly the most balanced Barleywine that has ever touched my lips, but not the best tasting, and it reminds of alot of a Double Bastard. The mouthfeel is chewy.

Drinkability and Overall: All the quality you'd expect from Stone and more. A crisp, clean, sippable Barleywine. It's not as good as the Double Bastard, but still worth trying. I put a few back to age, and I bet they'll do wonderfully.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2005 00:24:43 | More by santoslhalper

RoyalT

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – The liquid is a translucent brownish-orange in color and almost seems to glow in the dark. The head was negligible, which is typical of the style.

Smell – The malts and sugars here are huge, as is the alcohol. The hops are a little more subdued than in previous years, although I can pick up some traditional citrus.

Taste – The piney hops come out much bigger in the taste, although this one is all about the malts and booze. The sugars are very strong as well. They are like refined sugar that you pour on your Cheerios in the morning. There are also some nice fruity flavors like watermelon and pears.

Mouthfeel – This is full-bodied with a sharp alcohol sting and a serious dry finish.

Drinkability – This is more like Barleybooze than Barleywine. It is large and in charge but begs to be kept from the cellar, unlike previous years.

Update – I cellared a case of this and popped one at year two (2007). The alcohol sting has sunk into the background making this one of the most pleasurable ABWs on the planet.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2005 04:18:09 | More by RoyalT

rkhaze

California

4.88/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My goodness. I've had their Barleywine for the last few years and have no posted reviews or notes! What was I, drunk?...or Stoned?
Sorry about the pun.
Here we go. Found at Bevmo in Walnut Creek on 1/24. 7 days before the official release date?
Pours a nice copper color with a small, large bubbled head. You can tell this is a thick mutha by the way the few carbonation bubbles slowly struggle to the top.
Mouth watering smells. Big sweet malt, caramel, orange citrus fruits. On the hop side, its fresh, clean and resinous.The alcohol is certainly present but works well in the whole. Almost a brandy presence to it.
Taste is big and rich. Tangy, citrusy and bittersweet flavors. The malt seems a little sweeter and it picks up a toffee flavor with a hint of nut, vanilla and a wisp of smoke. Had some nuances like it could have been aged in bourbon barrels including that rare coconut like taste. The hops charge in to balance this bad boy and do an exceptional job. Citrusy and resinous. Great melding of huge flavors and alcohol. This is certainly drinkable now but I think would improve with a year of aging to mellow the alcohol a bit more.
Rich, yet surprisingly light bodied all things considered. Full, viscous and slightly oily mouthfeel.
Outstanding drinkability for such a huge beer. Another top notch beer from Stone! Get some, drink some, age some.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2005 02:15:17 | More by rkhaze