Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2007 - Stone Brewing Co.

dirtylou

Washington

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomb, split in preparation for a man man/yeasayer show

appearance: poured into a 42nd street oyster bar pint glass, hazy orange-amber body with a beige froth cap

smell: smells like danger - big citrus hops as expected, big caramel malts, noticeable booze presence which prompted the recipient of the 2nd half of the bottle to ponder the abv %

taste: big and bold on all fronts...huge citrus hop bite, lush pine, thick caramel malts and strong booze undertones. grapefruit and syrupy maple balance this one out...easily could age a few more years at least, but i was thirsty

mouthfeel: syrupy and smooth, hop bite, hot alcohol

drinkability: good

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2008 00:38:08 | More by dirtylou

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours between gold and orange color, medium white head at first pour but dissipates to a thin but well-retained head.

Nose is has a sweet melon citrusy component, and a suggestion of fruity desserts.

On the palate is a candied sweet maltiness with spicy hops that are assertive at first presence but then mellow into a smooth mix of flavors towards the finish.

Aged 1yr prior to consumption.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2008 01:38:35 | More by yemenmocha

MiguelMandingo

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It was hard to hold on to this one for a year, but I am pleased with the results.

Poured part of a bomber into a snifter.

Appearance - It has a hazy translucent peach copper color. It produced a 1 finger off white head that slowly dissipated to a thin crown. It left behind a decent amount of lacing. This is a damn fine looking beer.

Smell - The scent of this one has really changed from what I remember it smelling like. There is a huge booze presence as well as some fruit scents like grape, sweet orange and cherry.

Taste - It doesn't quite taste as good as it smells. There are some signs of oxidation, but that goes well with barleywines. The booze scent is huge. There is a nice caramel flavor that rounds everything out. It still maintains a large hop presence despite being over a year old. The fruit flavors of cherry, grape, and orange make an appearance, but the lingering booze finish quickly wipes them out. The finish slightly bitter, with the booze and the hops battling for supremacy - which detracts from the overall flavor.

Mouthfeel - The mouthfeel on this one is impressive. It is medium/full bodied, and has a good level of carbonation - nothing too lively, but keeps it interesting nonetheless. It is both slightly oily and slightly sticky at the same time.

Drinkability - Overall I enjoyed this beer. It is pretty easy drinking and tastes good, but the overwhelming booze in the flavor and the nose is too apparent.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2008 15:54:13 | More by MiguelMandingo

YankChef

Louisiana

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into a la fin du monde glass.

appearance: amber with peach hues, high clarity and a thick foamy white head that quickly dies down, however leaves fine lacing.

Smell: Smells very sweet and a little fruity. Molasses, cherry, pecan, peach, pear and various other aromas. Needless to say, this beer has a very complex aroma and the aging has certainly changed it.

Taste: Obviously the first sensation is that of sweetness with raw sugar flavors that are akin to sugar cane. A little bit of plum as wel l and some other fruity flavors. This beer is still damn bitter and hoppy after all of this dame and tastes well... like a beer from stone. Strong bitterness in the middle and lingering as well that leaves you wanting more. Seriously dries the mouth out with not just the a/c but also the bitterness.

Overall: Biggest baddest barleywine of them all. Stone doesn't mess around and this beer is another testament to that fact. Even after over a year of aging this beer is still aggressive and bold. Will it mellow out over time... you be the judge if you have a bottle of this sit on it.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2008 07:42:02 | More by YankChef

Hokies

Rhode Island

2.75/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Clear red color with dense lasing.

S: Boozy, sweet, malty with decent hop hints.

T: Strong booze taste to it with some malt and citrus flavor.

M: Light with a strong alcohol taste that takes over.

D: Is decent but will not go out of my way to get another one.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 05:58:10 | More by Hokies

david131

Michigan

2.9/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

From the 2007 bottling. Has been cellared for a year.

A- A very clear orange/red liquid with a lot of streams of rising carbonation. The head is thin, but creamy and dense.

S- Carmey malt, vegetably hops, lots of cotton candy. Very aromatic with a good amount of Alcohol shining through.

T- BOOZE with carmely malt, vegetably hops and a lot of cotton candy. Has a lot going for it, but the alcohol presence kills it.

M- Thin, alcoholic, and harsh. Still, it is somewhat sticky.

D- The booze is killer. Otherwise it would have been great.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2008 05:22:19 | More by david131

maybrick

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy amber color with a sizable off white head. As it warmed, it poured clear. Great head retention. Nose is definitely malty and the alcohol is definitley detectable. nicely balanced between malt and hop. Finishes with the warming of a higher alcohol brew yet the hops crisoness is noticable. I purchased this last week and assume it was made in 2007.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2008 13:58:08 | More by maybrick

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear and light amber in appearance. Good initial head with decent lace considering the style.

Malty, which is not surprising given the ABV (11.3%!). This is not an extreme smell; it seems well-balanced without distinct classical aromas of hops or alcoholic warmth.

Very full body...the swallow is almost hot with its alcohol warmth. A bit strong on the tongue making me swallow it rapidly. The aftertaste is all hop which is completely unexpected.

This is an extreme beer that does not have any typical one-sided flavors or smells (except maybe the alcohol warmth). It's incredibly flavorful and easy to sip, swallow and consume. Perhaps too easy!?

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 01:07:37 | More by smcolw

umustdrink

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received from the generous BA BeerTruth last summer

A - Reddish dark orange color, opaque. Offwhite head fades to a film and a ring. Lacing sticks in small dots.

S - Rich brown sugary bready malts with the dark fruit and all, a slight roastiness, a little bitterness, detectable alcohol. A big smell with lots of dark fruitiness.

T - Starts out with an immediate pungent fruitiness, not dark fruits at all, light and sweet...äußerst merkwürdig... Bready biscuity soaked in brandy maltiness takes over along with the darker fruitier flavors. Bready fruitiness peaks (tons of flavor) and mellows out for a sweet malty fruity finish. Alcohol hides itself relatively well.

M - A good hearty medium to thick consistency with a fair amount of carbonation.

D - A very nice barleywine with some unique flavors on top of the basic barleywine characteristics. A sipper indeed but the high alcohol is masked pretty well.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2008 07:12:35 | More by umustdrink

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a bright glowing orange with only a hint of haze. A busy stream of carbonation makes it strangely reminiscent of champagne. The patchy smallish head sticks around forever and musters up a plenty of lace on the glass. The aroma is equal parts pine tar and honeysuckle, biscuity malt. Pralines, honey soaked crackers, apricot, pine bitterness and alcohol heat fill the taste. The mouthfeel is on the syrupy side with a pleasant, active carbonation. The finish is nice and bitter, lasting for a long time.

This is a kick ass America Barley Wine. One of my favorite examples of this great style. It strikes a perfect balance between hops and malt.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2008 02:01:23 | More by CAMRAhardliner

Tolann

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Orange in color and hazy. Not too much head. Dense, white head that fades quickly.

S - the smell hit me before I was even looking for it. Kinda fruity and hoppy. Not a boozy smell. Bigger smell than other beers I've had, but it's not offensive or too over powering.

T - lots of citrus hop taste. Bitterness is strong but balanced and not offensive.

M - can feel the alcohol warm you after the sip. Taste lingers some and keeps you from drinking too fast. Probably a good thing. Bitterness really sits on your tongue. Some carbonation can be felt in the sip. The bitterness comes out as you burp it. Not exactly a 'wine' like quality like in the style name may suggest. It's a medium/light body.

D - Good to have another, but I don't want a lot at one sitting. I'm glad I have another in the fridge, but it will be enjoyed a later date.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 04:07:47 | More by Tolann

FlyFisher2782

California

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Decided to review this one after exactly one year aging after picking up a few bottles of the '08 version

Color is a deep and tawny bronze with a great amount of creamy wheat colored head.

Smell is very pleasant but not overpowering with some sweet overtones of sugar or honey followed by floral hops and a hint of alcohol on the nose.

Big caramel palate with a sweet dry (tad bit grain husk) finish giving way to a big alcohol presence. Surprised this hasn't mellowed a bit since last year but the alcohol certainly leaves this one feeling a bit "hot." Hop balance on this has certainly mellowed and rounds it out beautifully with some pine notes and a smooth lingering bitterness does battle with the alcohol.

Mouthfeel is enveloping, full and wonderful with a perfect amount of carbonation.

Overall great, but a little "hotter" than I was expecting after cellaring for a year.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2008 04:51:31 | More by FlyFisher2782

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

4.72/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - A hazy copper brew with a medium sized head with impressive retention. Thin intricate webs of lacing cling indefinitely to the glass. Tiny bubbles move as if through molasses.

S - Caramel malt with a hint of honey and maple syrup. Hints of licorice as well. A peppery alcohol flirts with piney and floral hops. All vie for dominance of the nose and seem to oscillate their control. It is great, but too mild.

T - Calling this flavor complex would be like calling , it simply misses the gravity of the scenario. Initially, there is a malty caramel infused with honey and licorice while a strange (yet delightful) fruity alcohol dances on the back of the tongue. This fruity abv lingers through into the aftertaste where it is slowly joined by a peppery hop bitterness as the sweetness fades. Te alcohol then fades as this delightful bitterness comes to the foreground with a touch of honey lingering to smooth it out. Amazing.

M - Thick, smooth and refreshing.

D - Awesome. I want more bottles. This is the perfect brew to end a rough day. Stone has both disappointed and impressed me in the past - but this monster simply blew me away. I need more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2008 05:54:57 | More by mrasskicktastic

boogles

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stone really does their big efforts well, I think. The barleywine is to barleywine what Stone's RIS is to RIS. It's big and complex, and does not hide the alcohol, but in a good way: it's factored into the equation.

On the other hand, I wish it had a bit less alcohol to allow the piney hops to rise up. It works in the aftertaste, but the nose hit is abrupt and there's no way around it.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2008 05:14:24 | More by boogles

Progenitor

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Old Gaurdian is one cool Bastards brother. Like all the best brews this one is best enjoyed slowly. Sup accordingly.

A: Pours a perfectly balanced dark amber leaving a two fingered bone head that displays nearly uniform bubbles through out, which disipates to a thin four to five layers of oily bubbles fairly rapidly. Lacing is very quick to slide down the glass due to the slick nature of it's texture.

S: The first word to come to mind was grape folowed by pronounced vegetal aromas marked by fresh tomatoes, also there are russet potatoes, turnips and beets and behind that though faint some strange sour citrus hints of lemon and lime maybe grapefruit. This brew would be beautiful to use for a deep fried beer battered beet recipe. Barley pronounces itself boldly and towards the end gorgeous hops jump right off the top.

T: Remaining consistent with the aromas, this fine libation continues with the earth notes, adding a kind twist of fine pungent blue and limburger chesses and just the right amount of a hoppy kick to balance the brew. In fact my favorite part of the drink is letting it rest on the tounge for a few seconds and allowing the alcohol to do it's work on the sides of the member kicking and screaming its bitters along the way.

M: For an 11% + ABV it is suprisingly smooth. Truly perfecting the balance between the hops and the alcohol which can both be fairly harsh in the hands of the wrong brewmaster. The maker of this libation is definatley not the wrong brewmaster.

D: Yes.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2008 06:19:46 | More by Progenitor

Tdizzle

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I cellared this on 2/11/07 and I drank this on 2/12/08.

A- Poured into a snifter, this beer pours a clear orangish-amber color with an off-white head that settles to a thin layer. The head leaves some thick lacing at first. Very nice to look at.

S- Sugary sweet with a strong alcohol backing. Some carmel too. Not as much citrus from the hops.

T- Sweet, malty, and carmely. The bitterness has faded but it still lingers on the finish. Very boozy as well. The alcohol has melded with the other flavors nicely but this is still pretty hot.

M- Creamy and smooth. Very little carbonation.

D- This is a huge beer, so it's hard to finish a bomber by myself, but it sure is tasty. The drinkability has increased after a year.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 05:57:13 | More by Tdizzle

Ryanbob

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer appears cloudy orange with a tiny head. It smells yeasty, sweet, and alcoholic. The taste is complex. Some floral, piney hops, some alchoholic burn, some fruity, rindy flavors, , some dried fruit, some earthy bitterness. The mouthfeel is smooth, soft, bubbly, not to much burn from the alcohol.

I'm not the world's biggest barleywine fan, but I really enjoyed this one. Keeps you guessing, not too dirty, not too alcoholic, overall a very enjoyable ride. Thanks Dave at Zeno's for this tasty brew!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 06:04:45 | More by Ryanbob

drseamus

New York

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to aerozeppl for sharing this bottle.

Amber body with a slight white head. The aroma is chock full of raisiny goodness. The flavor matches the aroma with raisins but adds a good amount of spiciness and leaves a lasting bitterness. The body is medium to heavy but overall this beer needs more age on it.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2008 01:42:44 | More by drseamus

boston2bburg

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear dark orange with a finger and a half of head into a snifter from a 22 ounce bomber. Head dissapates to almost nothing as I wait for it to warm a bit. Gives me time to read the novel on the back of the bottle...the brewer writes well, if about nothing in particular.

The aroma doesnt seem to be the showcase here, and that's clearly evident once I take my first sip. As I swirl and it warms, cherry cheesecake and sweet pastry grace the olfactory nerves. Some caramel and cereal scents pull through. I continue to wonder why I chill big beers. Room temperature or close to it is optimal for this one.

The tenacious assault of bitterness upon the first sip of cool beer gradually eases as the aroma strengthens with warmth. Maybe my palette was obliterated, but the hops dont seem overboard anymore for a barleywine of this size, as noted in some other reviews. The 11.26% is actually hidden fairly well, except in my extremities, which were quite chilly just minutes earlier. Hmmmm...

I refill my snifter with the remains of the warmed bottle with a vigourous pour. Three fingers of beige foamy head take much longer to subside, and leave some modest lacing. Head still doesn't cover the liquid, but doesn't completely clear either.

The mouthfeel is very smooth, syrupy and inviting. It's sweetness makes me pucker and my stomach is being eaten away by the alcohol so I doubt I'd be OK if I had more than one of these.

The best judge of a beer is the way you feel when you've finished it. I feel like I wish I'd bought two.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2008 22:37:31 | More by boston2bburg

BBM

New York

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a vibrant clear orange color, with a rocky white head, nice lacing and a lot of carbonation action. The aroma is syrupy and heavy on the alcohol; notes of earth and flowers do come through a bit.

This is a hell of a big beer, with a stern malt backbone trying its best to mask a surprisingly noticeable hop profile. The alcohol makes its presence felt as well, especially as the beer warms. Piney hops, earth, and barley are the main themes here. Mouthfeel is thick and syrupy. It will take a while to finish 22oz of this, and you'll be satisfied with that.

Generally I love when Stone goes overboard with their beers, but this one didn't quite do it for me. Seems big just for the sake of being big. It's still a quality brew, but I've had better Barleywines.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2008 15:23:24 | More by BBM

aerozeppl

New York

3.73/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Nice clear copper color with no head.

S:Malt with some mustiness. Raisins as well.

T:Tons of malt and a faint hop smell in the back.

T: Medium syrupy body. Very smooth though.

D: Fresh this beer "Rips your throat out" but given some time it really mellows out and becomes quite drinkable. Also it ends up being one of the more traditional barley wines we had the other night.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2008 23:57:56 | More by aerozeppl

ByTor2112

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to my rep John for snagging this for me last year!
Pours up the color of orange marmalade/ orange blossom honey. A soapy one finger head stays then breaks down leaving medium lacing. Aroma- buttery caramel with a faint whiff of alcohol, some dried fruit-apricot maybe? Heavy malty aromas are keeping the hops down but they are there.
Mouthfeel- BIG bold barleywine flavor here. Not too sweet but you can tell the backbone is solid malt and the alcohol is present but is not too hot. A froth intensifies the hops and leaves a lingering metallic bitterness right on the back sides of the palate on the finish.
This ale has a thick resinous mouthfeel like a DIPA that just exudes all that is Stone! I do agree with mt5000 about it tasting like a barleywine and then fading towards a DIPA or IIPA. But I enjoyed that. This one was choice!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2008 20:58:14 | More by ByTor2112

mt5000

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance is brown/amber. Aromas and flavors of sweet cherry, candied pineapple, apricot, caramel, citrus and a bit of pine from the hops. Quite bitter on the mid-palate and finish. This beer is big on both the malts and the hops. In fact, the hops is really my only complaint about this beer. I know that Stone's trademark is hoppy beers, but in my opinion this beer tastes like somebody combined a recipe for a barleywine and an IPA, which is not what I wanted. If you are a hop-head and you also like strong, malty beers than this beer is for you. To me it makes the beer taste a bit out of balance and not terribly drinkable. The beauty of barleywine is the intense maltiness, so by upping the hops quotient this beer in effect subdues the malts. That being said, the beer had many interesting flavors and I believe it is worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2008 17:12:26 | More by mt5000

srroos

California

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bomber recently acquired from Lone Hill Liquor into a Riedel Snifter.

A: Caramel color with a small tan head. Lighter in color than amny other barleywines.

S: Sweet caramel and citrus.

T: Initially sweet, with a big bitter punch. Not as intense as other reviews describe, perhaps due to the age.

MF: Well carbonated in the mouth, despite the minimal head. Not as thick and intense as many other barleywines.

D: As noted above, this is lighter than other barleywines, and more drinkable because of it.

I still have a bottle in my stash that has been aging since release. I'll have to update this review with a comparison (vs this bottle which was kept refrigerated) when I open that one.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2008 00:31:35 | More by srroos

cabsandking

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lightly hazed amber/peach color with minor white lacing. Immediate juicy, tropical fruit aromas of pineapple, apple, and cherry cut by bit of hop oil and an apparent alcohol. Very silky smooth mouthfeel on a full body and mild carbonation and some oily slickness is left on the palate. Caramel and sweet roasted malt starts the flavor rush and quickly pushed aside by hops. Pine, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus and a monster bitterness, a tad astringent, at the end. Some vanilla and oaken notes in the mix as well. Alcohol is fairly soft and fits in well in the finish with a peppery, dryness and citric acidity. A hop bomb even after a year.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2008 17:18:20 | More by cabsandking