Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2001 - Stone Brewing Co.

Murph

Arizona

4.72/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pre-spring 2001 release purchased in April 2002. Pours a nice golden red/copper with a smallish somewhat creamy head. Smell is almost all malty goodness with some alcohol thrown in as well. Malt and a nice warming alcohol flavors are the first to announce themselves on the tongue. As these flavors subside a huge hop presence kicks in and holds on coating the tongue in its bitter goodness. Creamy mouthfeel and very drinkable for a barley wine. I can't wait to try a few more Stone brews to see what I've been missing.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2002 18:32:08 | More by Murph

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.47/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Sampler at the Stone Brewing Company “Special Event” at the Stuffed Sandwich, San Gabriel, California, held on 24-26 July 2003. This was the Sixth of the Eight Stone Beers Samplers. Advertised as “Old Guardian Barley Wine 2001”, and served on draft.

Appearance: A clear deep ruby red color, small head that is a beige-cream colored one, and unlike some of the other samplers, this head stayed around a while.

Nose: Caramel infused with a fruity aspect, which is all wrapped up in alcohol. It has some feint candy sugar hints that surprised, and intrigued me.

Taste: Caramel is just as prevalent in the taste, as it was in the nose. Devon Toffee rises in the middle with the smooth buttery caramel rounding off the start. The alcohol and bitterness accentuate the back-end of the beer, and the whole beer finishes with a mild warming astringent sensation.

Mouthfeel: As with all of the other Aged Stone Anniversaries on sale, I felt that the draft dispense definitely aided the solid mouthfeel with a pleasing creamy smooth feel which was very satisfying. Of course, a dry bitter finish mixed with the high alcohols also helps.

Drinkability: I really tried to savor this beer, I did, but it was quaffable, even given its strength that it sadly disappeared in no time at all. The fused alcohols, smooth creamy caramel malts and the bitterness in the finish make this a real delight.

Overall: Another winner from Stone, just how the hell they keep constantly turning out such great beers, that always seem to age so well, is quite astounding.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2003 03:58:22 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Dantes

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: ~10oz. from draught in a tulip glass at the Stone 12 event. Served a bit cold. Cost: $5.

Appearance: Very nice syrupy pour yielded a densely moussey head the color of marzipan, dissolving into a lasting, opaque film. The body was a mahogany-reddish color and appropriately cloudy (interestingly, the Double Bastard, Arrogant Bastard, and Old Guardian were very similar in color, varying by a shade or two). I was able to hold this to the daylight through the window.

Smell: The first notes were a fugue of hops, pine-tar, citrus fruit notes, and dark fruits. Backbeats of wood and nuts poke through the alcohol.

Taste: Surprisingly, this doesn’t assault the palate as expected, exhibiting some finesse. The rich, malty sweetness are cut with the characteristic Stone hoppiness, some tar, and a junipery note that ran through several of the samples that day. The sweetness is an alloy of malt, dark fruits like currant and raisin, and a toffee, caramel element. The age really allows these flavors to marry, taming the hops I think (I haven’t had “fresh” OG) and adding a nutty, woody undertone. Finish goes on forever, balanced between sweet and dry.

Mouthfeel: Subtle carbonation is present. Body is very full and viscous, providing an enjoyable chewiness.

Drinkability: I would have to rate this more on “savorability” rather than drinkability, as it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was sorry that I felt compelled to sample all of the other Stone brews, as I would be happy to slowly work my way through a few of these on a crisp evening.

Wow, aged Old Guardian on draught! I don’t think it gets much better than this. I would love to have the resources to set aside a keg of this for myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have the experience to compare this special sample against “regular” Old Guardian, but this was a truly great barley wine: complex, potent, savory, and satisfying. This beer only got better as it warmed in my hand. Maybe this is what Steely Dan meant when referring to “Grapefruit wine!”

Bottom Line: A truly special experience for which I’m glad I was present. Thanks Greg!

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2003 15:31:26 | More by Dantes

Denali

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Blind Tiger in New York City.

Appearance: Opaque amber with thick tan head.

Smell: Sweet malt and slight citrus.

Taste: Very sweet malt flavor up front mixed with hop bitterness. Sour apple taste comes in next and then rolls back into the sweet malt flavor and hop bitterness flavors. Aftertaste is both sweet and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Syrupy with tingly light carbonation.

Drinkability: Very strong. A sipping beer.

Comments: Quite enjoyable. Very strong – started feeling the alcohol ½ way through my glass.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2003 06:49:15 | More by Denali