Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2006 - Stone Brewing Co.

Wasatch

Utah

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been sitting on this one since the beginning of the year. When I first popped the cap I could smell the sweet malts. Pours a nice orange golden amber color, nice creamy tan head, nice lacing/puddles throughout the drink. Scents of sweet malts, citrus, hops, spices, caramel, yeast, and slight alcohol. The taste is amazing, sweet malts, hoppy, slight caramel, and slight alcohol, nice dry finish. Medium body, pretty complex barleywine. Very drinkable, another awesome brew from Stone to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2006 20:42:30 | More by Wasatch

instrumentality

California

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I received this as a birthday gift in April, and the bottle says "Limited Early 2006 Release," so this beer must be about 8-10 months old at this point. I'm not an expert on aging, and I'm even less of an expert on patience when it comes to beer, so I may be making a huge mistake by cracking my one and only bottle of this stuff so soon, but I've become Stone's bitch over the past few months and tonight the gargoyle wants to have his way with me again so I must submit.

The brew poured a flawless transparent mahogany with minimal head that quickly dissolved to a thin, tan lace.

The odor was notably potent, a mix of sweet red wine and caramel with a spicy quality (ok, I'm not doing this one justice, but my sense of smell and spices still needs a lot of work). Suffice to say, it was enticing.

The first sip was equally rewarding. A bit of the burn of alcohol, but at 11.2% ABV, I expected much worse. The flavor was so intense I could taste it just by inhaling through my mouth before the liquid ever touched my taste buds. Aside from the alcohol, it had a bit of red wine flavor and the sweetness of caramel, along with a strong piney, hoppy quality I've grown to love about Stone's brews.

Mouthfeel was pretty impressive for such a strong beer. Although the alcohol burned going down and the hops were intense upon contacting my palate, the finish was remarkably clean with very little lingering aftertaste.

I know this beer is going to kick my ass with so much alcohol, but I could easily see myself making short work of it. I just need to remind myself that I only have one bottle, I don't know if/when I'll see it again, and it's damn good. If I see it again, I'm buying a case.

All this coming from someone who previously disliked and even feared barley wines. Either I've come a long way, or Stone just reinforced why they've quickly become my favorite brewery.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2006 01:35:25 | More by instrumentality

BlackJeremiah

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2006 edition, cellared roughly eight months, poured from a 22oz. bomber into an Old Guardian specialty glass.

A: Dark, browned copper color with a thin sheen of creamy head, more of a yarmulke than a top hat, that clears quickly.

S: Citrus, caramel, slight alcohol, hint of pine. The hop-derived scents and malt-derived scents are well-balanced and complementary. As it warmed, the alcohol definitely began to dominate the aroma.

T: Surprising amount of bitterness at the start, pine breath and citric bite. The sweet, creamy, malty middle is just wonderful; very rich and satisfying, almost hedonistic. Alcohol, not to be forgotten, asserts itself at the end, but gently. More hops than I smelled or expected. A decent amount of bitterness runs through the whole thing, grabbing your attention, mitigating the excess of that delicious midsection, then fading away with the alcohol. As it warmed, I got a bit of grapefruit and some sandalwood during the malty middle.

M: Smooth, thick, but not as cloying as some barleywines out there; it neither coats my palate, nor my taste buds. That being said, it's not insanely remarkable in this department, just a bit better than average.

D: As barleywines go, this one is pretty darn drinkable. It doesn't try to be too complex, so it doesn't lose any flavor nuances to the presence of the alcohol. The flavors are really nice, and I'm farther through the bomber than I expected, already.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2006 00:03:38 | More by BlackJeremiah

bennetj17

Arizona

3.88/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deep copper/amber hue, very clear, with only a thin head. The malt aroma is very sweet and caramel-like, with the hops more in the background. A bit of alcohol fume in the nose also. The flavor is rich and alcoholic too. Lots of sugary caramel flavor with notes of raisin and dark fruits. The hops are present but don't seem to jump out at me like I would expect from a Stone brew. The mouthfeel is medium in thickness, maybe a bit syrupy, with a nice subtle carbonation. This a solid choice, but perhaps a bit strong and malty sweet for my palate...

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2006 16:49:54 | More by bennetj17

tattooedtolley

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours an odd color for me to describe, goldish, amber, slightly brown, if all those colors can comine into one color I'd guess this would be it. Little head left quickly and left no real lacing.

Smell: Some hops up front with plenty of malt coming through, mostly caramel.

Taste: I half expected to be blown away by the hops in this one, but it is predominately all malt. I realize this bottle of mine is getting on a year old so maybe that extra time helped out in this. I had a fresh one and it was not near this good. It has turned into a great Barleywine.

Mouthfeel: Medium body.

Drinkability: Drinkable for what it is, the alcohol has tamed out a bit over the short time it rested and the hops have toned down a bit. I typically like'em like big hop bombs but this was a pleasent surprise. I'll keep my other one put away for a while longer.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2006 15:00:52 | More by tattooedtolley

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A smothered dark amber glow with a blanket of off-yellowy firm foam about a finger high. Keeps a nice thick skim and collared edge. Lacing is decorated in a pleasing array of stringed patches and spots.

Aroma is slightly tropical with a sliver of alcoholic tinted warmth where warm bodied toffeish malt, mild pineapple, mango, and a piney tug of oils and citric pith make for a nice complexing nose.

Taste is so smooth, much like other Old Guardians, from what seems like ions ago, this has a much smoother malt tone than hop bite. Large malts bring in some very nice caramel swirling about a tropical fruity soaken depth of thick mango-like juices and pleasing warmth of chewy caramel candy. A warming pine oil of hoppy bitterness is sweet and smooth with well rounded orangeyness.

Slight texture of carbonation grits along the edges of the malty smooth body. Thick and succulant, nearly full, body thats warm and toastified. Hoppy oilyness ensues through the finish adding some complexing warmth and flachback of malts.

And, again, much like other Old Guardians, this stuff is majorly drinkable and gone before you know it. Another wonderful rendition by Stone. And my thanks goes to cvschaller for the hook up on so many chances to drink down some fine brews like this one!

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2006 01:47:35 | More by tavernjef

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of Hogtownharry: Poured a reddish color ale with a small foamy head with minimal retention. Aroma of sweet malt is pretty intense with some discernable hops on the top. Taste is dominated by huge sweet malt on the border of being disgustingly too sweet. Finish is hoppy but not overly so and provide a nice balance with the malt. Alcohol is well hidden. Overall, this is a nice example of an American barleywine and something I would probably seek again.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2006 20:12:58 | More by Phyl21ca

trep

West Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2006 Vintage in a trade from Mr. Rabsten.

Perfect clarity in the dark amber body. Creamy off-white head. A bit of yeast floating but no carbonation. Looks very elegant in the snifter as it leaves mas lacing.

Nice sweet malt aroma. A bit of alcohol but not much. A very nice candied fruit aroma rounds it out.

Incredibly smooth even after I let it warm. Pretty hoppy but mostly this is alot thinner than I was expecting. Not alot of flavor outside of the sweet malt and piney hops. Hmm.. a lil disappointed. Not good when the aroma is much more complex than the beer itself. Lingering hop aftertaste.

Medium-Full bodied with very little carbonation. Pretty easy drinking, I just wish it had as much flavor as the aroma boasted. :(

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2006 01:36:11 | More by trep

Billolick

New York

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber, allowed to warm a bit and then poured in a goblet. Nice deep darkish almond amber, clear, with a minor tan head and leaving fine, rich and scattered lacing. Nose is of mellow malts and some alcohol. Waves of malt, warming alcohol, honey, smokey, vinious and of course, heady stuff. Smooth, coating, world class sipper/Night capper. What can be said beyond this is yet more wonderful beer from the left coast's Stone Brewing Co. Plus Stone puts this out @ $5.50 for a 22 oz. bomber ( Purchased at New Beer in NYC) Truly a bargain for world class BW. Wish I had the set up to put a case away every year for a few years...

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2006 21:46:20 | More by Billolick

Lnedrive14

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a fairly thin orange, with a hint of red. about a 1/2 inch head in the snifter, but almost no head when poured in the goblet.

Strong nose of alcohol and hops (pretty much what i expect from a Stone brew).

Taste was different than i expected - very little hops, smooth creamy malts coated the palate. Tasted quite a bit of vanilla, which i think mixed well with the strong alcohol presence (the alcohol was weird - very mild up front, but quite strong in the aftertaste).

Fairly thin for a barleywine (others seem to have commented on this as well).

Fairly drinkable - especially for the style.

Not quite what i expected, but i really liked it nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2006 00:47:16 | More by Lnedrive14

neelyjr1

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Slight head, cloudy. Once it settles down it looks much like a darker scotch.

S: Very sweet, alcohol coming through at the end.

T: Sweet at first, alochol coming through towards the back end, with a bit of a hop aftertaste. The sweet sensation does stay on your tongue however.

M: At first I thought it was rather thin compared to some other barelywines I have had, but the beer does in fact coat the mouth quite well, leaving a lingering of malt.

D: Good, but not an everyday beer. I have had this one for a few months and thought it was time to break it out, but this will hold me over for several more months.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2006 00:27:56 | More by neelyjr1

GClarkage

California

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

08/11/06- Purchased at Beverages and More in San Mateo, CA.

Presentation- 22oz bottle. Vintage 2006. Poured into my Old Gaurdian Barleywine glass.

Appearance- Off brown, slight reddish watered down iced tea colored. Looks very lifeless. Pours with a 1/2 inch head, immeadiately evaporates into nil. The slightest sight of lace left behind.

Smell- Even smells a bit watery. Pretty harsh pine and grapefruit hop scent with a bit of fusel alcohol. A touch of caramel malt underneath.

Taste- Thankfully it taste better than it looks and smells. Gee, what a suprise...all hops. Not as harsh as I was thinking though. More grapefruit than pine, but the pine is there. Caramel roasted malt is hidden, but if you taste and smack your gums enough you can make it out. A tiny bit of cherry flavoring as well.

Mouthfeel- A bit watered down, about average maybe lower carbonation level. Bitter lasting aftertaste.

Drinkability- As all Old Gaurdian's....put them away for 1 year...no, make that a decade! A hophead delight as is if you like harsh numbing bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2006 01:22:31 | More by GClarkage

gotbeer

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This 2006 batch has really grown on me. I went from liking it to really, really liking it.

It pours a reddish orange with a white head. Little lacing. The smell is of molasses, ripe fruit, and in typical Stone fashion- a hint of citrus hops. Very nice.

The taste includes the prerequisite citric hops, but also a beautiful malt backbone. There is overly ripe fruit, molasses, sweet bread, and a little alcohol heat at the end. This is huge and complex on the palate.

The mouthfeel is chewy and it satisfies. Drinkability would have to be above average for the style.

Another great beer from Stone. I'm glad their new brewery has higher production. They will need it to satisfy my thirst for their products.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2006 01:30:43 | More by gotbeer

froggyfrog

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2006 Stone OGBWSA carried by me (and at times by my buddy Money3) in a large and very heavy open-top box (crammed in closely with many other potentially exceptional bottled ales) from Downtown Liquors in Boston's Davis Square. Our trek traversed many perilous city blocks on foot and included no less than three subway trips, one shuttle bus (packed sardine-style), one stop at a beer festival and one at a bar, and one taxi cab ride to Weymouth. After being allowed to sleep for a few hours the beer was then driven from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania (via Connecticut and New York) where it settled into rest in my cellar refrigerator. I share this history with you now so that you may understand that I worked hard for this beer. And now, six weeks later, it is time to pick the fruit.

Two things I can tell you right off the bat. Number one: if you want to make a lot of new friends in a hurry, walk around downtown Boston with an open box stuffed full of well-made beer. It's guaranteed to work. Number two: this beer was definitely worth the effort.

On my desk is a handsome 22 ounce brown bottle screen-printed with script and images of barley and a mug-wielding gargoyle. The back of the bottle tells a lengthy story about this beer.

11.26% alc. by vol. limited early 2006 release.

The cap comes off with a flourish and the brown-swirled, burnt-orange liquid finds its way to the receiving bowl of my crystal snifter. A substantial eggshell-colored flossy pillow floats atop the tawny liquid like meringue.

The bouquet is a whirlwind of sugars with dark hidden secrets and the dank moss-covered bases of deciduous trees in a fantastic forest blended with spicy alcohols saucy enough to warrant caution for even the boldest who enter here.

The darkest of fruits linger bruised in the flavor as if the unwitting trees which bore them, in a moment of self-doubt and weakness, did not merely drop these flesh-covered seeds to the ground but indeed hurled them toward the earth with such vengeance that birds in the boughs shrieked in horror as they flew frightened from amidst the leaves, and Satan himself did smile from his perch far beneath the damp soil as the fruits hit the ground in a frenzy. Splat, splat, splat, splat!

In an attempt to conceal atrocities against fruit, tied cinnamon sticks and candied Belgian esters seek to soften the apparent infanticide described above. A wood-like, strong alcohol component underlies the experience of this beer. It is both spicy and prevalent. Wooden and earthy like the barks of the homicidal fantasy forest trees, this beer tempts the tongue while swiftly and silently poisoning my bloodstream behind my back, unashamed of using its alluring and sensuous features and over-the-top yet slick-shoed and malicious intoxicants.

This beer is absolutely fantastic. It is exactly what I was searching for tonight. Lots of sugar and fruit tempered heavily with clingy bitters and alcohol heat. Beautiful.

Thank you to anyone still reading this for indulging these faux-literary ramblings. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2006 04:31:23 | More by froggyfrog

errantnight

California

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Yum yum.

Finally opened up my first bottle from the latest round of Old Guardians at poker the other night...

Pours a slightly viscous rich, bronze/amber with shiny copper tones. Head is a bit thin, but the lacing holds.

Gives off a faintly sweet aroma of brown sugar and malt, vague hints of sweet citrus fruit and vanilla, almost molasses, but nothing quite that rich.

Whoops! Strike the "nothing quite that rich," this baby packs a wallop! Alcohol is noticeable if not quite predominant in a delicious warmth. Hits with a burst of that brown sugar sweetness, vanilla is again noticeable, fruit notes seem more ripe fruit than citrus now. Which is a big leap, I know. What would be described as a bracing hop bitterness elsewhere really just barely starts to even things out on the back end. There's some citrus and spice to the bite, but it definitely doesn't leave one's mouth dry. No sickly sweetness left on the tongue, this definitely has you coming back for more. Feel is rich and incredibly smooth with just enough carbonation to liven up the party. Flat, and this wouldn't be suitable except in a port glass.

Another outstanding Stone creation.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 15:45:57 | More by errantnight

ism

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Winter 2005 release, cellared for 8 months. A beautiful copper with deep amber tones, clear, with a taupe head that settles to a thick but thin layer -- but nicely cloudy when you get to the bottom of the bottle. Lacing forms spotty rings. Malty aroma, sweet and spicy, a mix of apples and pears, with a refreshing hop earthiness. Active carbonation in a thick body, the malts hitting right away, with earthen freshness in the undercurrent. Goes down smooth and this is where the real action is -- a subtle alcohol warmth with a complex mix of pepper spices in the back of the throat, with bitter earthy hop lingering.

A solid brew, interesting and smooth, that could probably use a bit more time cellared. The flavors are a bit on the sweet side, more than i'd like, but its complex is nice but not the best, suggesting raisins and dates, and the hop freshness makes it stand out, West Coast style.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2006 07:46:54 | More by ism

nflmvp

Wisconsin

3.63/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a slightly cloudy copper/orange with 2 inch eggshell foam head that diminished to a light ring with sticky lacing around the glass.

Smelled of sweet and heavy fruit with some alcohol presence.

Taste seemed a little green to me. It hit hard up front with hops but seemed more subdued throughout the glass....probably a more drinkable beer in a year or so but good enough right now.

Mouthfeel was thick andsolid with a nice little reminder of the ABV.

Drinkability is good but I would think a review in another year would reveal a more drinkable beer. I look forward to it.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2006 21:59:13 | More by nflmvp

Hunter

Arizona

3.55/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Rich, deep amber color, substantial carbonation. The head dissipates pretty quickly.

Smell: Alcohol is the first to make its presence felt. Behind that, caramel, sugar, heavy malt.

Taste: Alcohol is right there, mellowing somewhat as it warms to room temperature. Sugary malt is the only thing coming to mind here as the taste, but this is typical of the style.

Mouthfeel: Oily mouthfeel, cloying aftertaste.

Drinkability: Baarley wines are not to my personal taste, but this is a fine representation of the style. I can see it as a fine apertif, or paired with lamb or beef.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2006 20:23:15 | More by Hunter

Brian700

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a 2004 bottle that Trancefishy brought over the other night.

This one poured a nice cloudy orange color with an off-white head.

The aroma was of raisins, figs, sweet malt, and mild alcohol.

There is a decent amount of residual sweetness in the flavor yet is has quite a bit of bitterness to it as well. There is a dark fruit presence like raisins, figs, dates, etc with a nice alcohol warming. There does seem to be something missing in finish.

The mouthfeel is full bodied with medium carbonation.

This is a pretty drinkable beer and I would like to try a few more of these during different stages to see how it is both young and old.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2006 04:03:13 | More by Brian700

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a goblet, Deep-red amber 1" thick white head, dissipated fast, nearly totally gone within a few minutes.

Smells seriously roasty and sugary. Hickory smoked with honey and a slight hop.

SWEEET malts, like honey. An early hop bitterness and some slight earth greens, maybe green peppers.

Light body, Thick full taste, sweetness resonates on the palate, mellow herbal greens take over later.

Powerful stuff, big ABV%, two MAX!!

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2006 23:46:09 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

danielocean03

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Was given a sample tasting at Crown Liquors at 116th and Brookschool Road in Fishers, IN.

Poured a deep and dark amber color, slightly coppertoned at the edges. Slower pour still rendered a thick, sticky head that slowly faded to a heavier sticky lacing that coats the glass as it goes. Aroma is caramelly sweet and malty, with strong hoppy undertones in the end of the nose, smells hoppier than any Barleywine I've sampled, but not to the point of excess. Taste is very much the same in the smell, only with the warmth of the alchol finishing out the taste. Mouthfeel is rough, the hops definitely bite and so does the alcohol, both of which are typically not the stars of this style. Again, still welcome additions to my palate, simply unexpected in this style. Carbonation level medium, matched very well to the moderate body. Easily drinkable, still hides the 11% abv better than most, finishes out smoother on the tongue than it starts. Would likely purchase and try again, would nicely meet the standards of a hoppier barleywine kick.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2006 15:31:49 | More by danielocean03

kirok1999

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Ruddy dark copper with a nice head and lacing that just won't quit.

Smell- Sweet fruity malts, raisins, bread, cherries. Hops come through but are beaten up by the malts.

Taste- One smooth mother of a barleywine. The malts dominate yet the hops come through at the end. Very complex and delicious. The sweetness makes it a delight to drink, it is thick and substantial, no watery qualities at all.

Mouthfeel- Thick and clingy, moderate carbonation.

Drinkability- Way too drinkable for the ABV. I'm hosting a blind tasting this weekend and this and AleSmith Speedway Stout will be my contributions. This is what I look for in a good ale: no watery taste at all, simply an ale that stands up on it's own and makes a statement. Stone can do no wrong.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2006 00:33:21 | More by kirok1999

rabsten

West Virginia

4.68/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber into a wine glass. Dark caramel with thick, khaki head that doesn't go away. Sticky lacing. Redish tint to it all.

Malt on top of malt. Sweet with underlying spiciness to it. The hops will come, oh yes, but the aroma leads you to think this one is a malt bomb. Scotch-like overtones. Some alcohol in the mix as well.

Taste: Like hoppy scotch. Heh, "hop-scotch." Malt leads with heavy hop middle and balanced finish. Smoky quality below it all, like an Isle whisky. Nice. Malt asserts itself even more as the glass warms.The alcohol remains present throughout but never dominates.

A tad thick for the mouthfeel. still, it works well. High drinkability, despite the debilitating alcohol content.

I have a 12 pack in storage for later (years later) enjoyment. I'll check back in next year to update on it's cellared experience.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2006 20:41:35 | More by rabsten

KilgoreTrout27

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass.

Nice ruby/copper color and a decent foamy head to start off. The smell is of bread, molasses and alcohol, letting you know what you are about to get into. Lovely bready caramel/molasses taste with fruit and hints of bitter hops and a warming alcohol finish that was pleasant and not overdone. Mouthfeel was thick. At 12% alcohol, you don't want to drink too many of these, but the flavors make the drinking expereince pleasurable.

One of the better American barleywines out there, and another reason to seek out anything that says Stone on the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2006 13:18:17 | More by KilgoreTrout27

cproioi

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Reddish Orange color. Poured a thin head that disipated quickly and left no lacing. Visible carbonation bubbles that continued to rise through out the whole drinking.

S: Had a very strong smell of alcohol. Faint scent of hops, sort of an earthy smell. However, the hops aroma was equal to the strong barley malt aroma. Had an almost bittersweet smell. This made me very nervous I do not like overly bittersweet things.

T: Wow, this was not what I expected from the aroma. It was a nice balance between the two. Now it was not equal by any means the hops was over powering but it did bring up a very strong malt malt back bone that could not be denied. The after taste was a very strong alcohol taste.

M: The alcohol content burnt my lips a little when drinking it. Had a thick body to it but not oily. The carbonation feeling was a very lively feeling.

D: While I am not a fan of Barley Wines, I would buy this one again. Hopefully next time I can pair it with a spicy food like a curry dish or something. I may have to buy a couple and cellar them for a little while and try them again.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2006 19:10:01 | More by cproioi