Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2010 - Stone Brewing Co.

jdklks

Nevada

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thank god Old Guardian not only came back, but that it is much much better than last year's batch. Pours a burnt dark orange that is absolutely stunning. This is accompanied by a soft, off white, almost tan head that lingers awhile and laces the glass wonderfully. The smell is of hops and citrusy fruits; more like a DIPA but not as strong, and not as good. Some peach, lots of figs, and tangerine.

The flavor this year is much less hoppy than last year's version was fresh. This version in three years will taste like the 07 does now: incredible. Definitely my favorite batch since 07. Starts off with its usual hoppy character, but it is neither over-done, nor does it linger for too long. Instead, it gives way to an alcoholic orange flavor that is quite pleasing, and perfectly sweet. Other flavors include a hint of figs, red apple, and a very subtle maltiness that develops so well in this beer over a few years. This years version is leaps and bounds better than last. Mouthfeel is too light, but well carbonated nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 06:01:34 | More by jdklks

Wetpaperbag

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I love me some Old Guardian. This is a fave of mine for a long time.

A- Nice dark copper color, the head was thick and full when the beer was poured. After a spell it has simmered down to a thin layer over the beer itself. not much in terms of lacing.

S- Very fragrant, with a nice caramel smell with some definite boozyness. A fruityness that comes from the hops which are strong but not overpowering. I'm getting some bubblegum and other flavors I'm just not putting my finger on.

T- Caramel is good and strong, some great sweetness and the hops taste are fruity and cut the thicker malt presence. This one is tasty right now, almost seems like it has been sitting around for a good few months as it is. I bet this years batch will be a great candidate to age. Glad I have a few more for this.

M- Thicker body, but the hops and the carbination do help this one in the mouth.

D- Easy to drink, but best to just sip and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 04:10:18 | More by Wetpaperbag

pnkRed

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this into the Old Guardian Barley Wine Glasss I got from the brewery.

A-This poured a rich deep amber color with a one finger head that stays relatively long.

S- You can smell this bad boy from a mile away. The hops are very apparant. Citrus and pine. Some sweetness on the back end.

T- Sweetness hits you up front quickly followed by some hops with some alcohol on the finish. I can taste some raisins and fig and piney hops.

M- The alcohol lingers and so do the oils from the hops.

D- The alcohol is hidden for an 11% but it's still apparent. Definitely a sipper. As you drink on it actually feels a bit lighter and it seems to mellow out the warmer it gets.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 06:37:42 | More by pnkRed

Hershdawg

California

4.65/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

From 22 oz. Bottle into Old Guardian Glass.

A: Reddish brown color. Slight filmy head after pour and slight lacing.

S: Caramel, toffee, cherry, floral and pine hops. Sweet malty smell as well.

T: cherry wood, malts, pine, bit of alcohol but is a barleywine so its to be expected.

M: Smooth creamy goodness. Hop oils stick in your mouth for a while.

D: Its a sipper for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 06:31:43 | More by Hershdawg

WickedSluggy

Texas

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

The "early 2010 release" of this ale is a beatiful beer, ruby colored with half inch of foam - some parabolic retention and streaky lace.

There seems to be plenty of beauquet and aroma but unfortunately this tasting is with a mild head-cold. I can't pull out specifics so I'll just give it a 4.

Flavour is luscious. This ale seems to have significant age on it already - all those swirly ripe flavors are present and this release is ready to drink, aged yes but not extremely complex. The caramel sweetness is well balanced by plenty of hops. Satisfies need for intensity.

Mouthfeel is a thick swimmy bath for the tongue. Plenty of body. Dive in.

The drinkability of this ale is superb - good cold; better as it warmed. Dangerous, could take one to oblivion.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 04:12:47 | More by WickedSluggy

billshmeinke

California

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

Poured into my stone barleywine glass. (From notes)

A: Ruby/copper in color. One finger slightly off white head. Slightly opaque. Real nice lacing.

S: Intense aroma. Dominated by hops. Tropical fruits (grapefruit/pineapple). Caramel malt background. Smells almost like a DIPA.

T: Honey, caramel, and a bit of toffee malt profile up front. Real bitter hop profile comes through as resin, pine and grapefruit. Some alcohol up in there too.

M: Full bodied. Bubbly, quite dry. Crisp clean finish.

D: Well masked alcohol makes for an incredibly drinkable barelywine.

I was a little caught off guard due to the somewhat DIPA characteristics of this beer, but I feel it was a very interesting twist on the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2010 03:32:39 | More by billshmeinke

Zaplt

California

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

Appearance - beautiful redish color with little tan head and not much lacing.

Aroma - sweet dark fruit, cherries, tart, some toastyness and and strong alcohol is present with some resinous like smells as well.

Taste - Woah! Ohhhh demon alcohol! This definitely needs to age to mellow out a little bit. Raisin, kind of vinous, dark fruit, can tell it's complex but alcohol is a little overwhelming - seems more apparent than in the Russian Imperial with the same alcohol content...hop resin comes through I think it's hopped generously for what it is. Caramel??

Overall it needs to be aged and should not be consumed this fresh in my opinion. Will buy another and open in a year +.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 09:02:20 | More by Zaplt

AnswerInQuestion

California

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a Chimay glass; dark brown with a hint of red, less than 1 cm of head fizzling out to bareley any, very faint lacing.

S: Fresh and crisp piney hops with a relatively faint sweet raisiny malt, especially for a barleywine.

T: Bitterness from Stone's signature hop profile, mixed with the barleywine sweetness of caramel and woody notes. Definitely more bitter than I usually like my barleywines, but the hops give way to more sweetness as the beer warms.

M: Lightly carbonated, but adequately for the style. Clean finish, with a slight hoppiness pushing aside the threat of an alcoholic sting.

D: Although this beer is not as sweet as I usually enjoy in a barleywine, it strikes me as a very accurate representation of stone's beer esthetic: cascade hops are stone's duct tape (in the best way, the ultimate tool), layered over the classic deep sweetness and high alcohol of the beer style. The crisp finish makes this beer taste more like their usual offerings, which are not quite as high in alcohol, but, having finished too much of a 22oz too fast, I can tell you that the alcohol sneaks up on you in a way that usualy barleywines are more obvious.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 07:39:08 | More by AnswerInQuestion

oberon

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The OG came to the Traid early this year,thankfully.Poured into a imperial pint glass a full rich bronze with a tight two finger head that settled slowly leaving one big sheet of lace behind.Wow the resiny hop aromas seem to be amped up this year,they really stand out,some alcohol and caramel show thru as well.Its real big right now,probably to big,leather and alcohol hits ya up front,the hops are oily and resiny,the sweet alcohol burn really hits hard though.It needs to sit no doubt,this is massive and full of extreme hop goodness,Iam gonna come back to it in a few months.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 23:56:29 | More by oberon

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber color with a small white head that leaves enough lacing on the glass.

Smells of pine hops with some caramel sweetness.

Tastes of a big caramel malt flavor up front followed by that west coast hop flavors of pine and citrus. Some fruit makes an appearance to add depth to the sweetness. Alcohol is very well hidden. Compared to the 2009, I would say it is more balanced and less raw. My complaint about 2009 was that there was too much alcohol character, but that has been resolved and this is more to my liking.

Mouthfeel is on the full side of medium with a good creamy amount of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 01:58:33 | More by ocelot2500

irishking1977

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I haven't had a brew by Stone that I haven't at least appreciated. Their pale ale and basic IPA were dull in comparison to Arrogant Bastard (including the oaked version) and Ruination IPA. Both of those brews changed my opinion of craft brews and especially highly hopped beers. That being said, this is a barleywine, a style I am not a huge fan of, but still appreciate the subtle nuances of the style.

A: Translucent amber hue with virtually no head and some minimal lacing. Looks like your typical barley wine.

S: Hops, pine, and some mild fruit hit the nose. I can definitely tell this is a Stone concoction simply because of how prominent the hops are in this brew. That's certainly not a bad thing by any means.

T: Mildly sweet and quite hoppy, which of course, isn't a surprise considering the brewer. Well balanced, but hops still peek out more so than any other nuance. Considering this a really hoppy barleywine, it still finishes crisp and smooth with no unusual or overly bitter ending.

M: My 3.0 rating on this one is indicative of the style, not necessarily this actual beer itself. I personally prefer higher carbonation level in most of my beers, but do note that this one is totally true to style. That being said, this one has some mild carbonation, and oiliness due to hops and and moderate mouthfeel. First few sips almost felt slightly watered down, but after several more, I realize that is not correct. This is a moderately full brew in comparison to other barleywines I've had.

D: As always, Stone's brews always hide their ABV very well, but of course any brew pushing over 11% is going to catch up at some point, I don't care if you have alcohol running through your veins instead of blood; this one will still overwhelm you after a few. Still, one of the better barleywines I have had, and reasonably drinkable. Not a session, but a good sipper and probably a great night cap.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 00:51:48 | More by irishking1977

northaustin

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

pours a very clear red/maroon with a finger and a half of very even white head which has long retention and leaves a solid strong lacing.

smell is upfront with fresh hops of the citrus and pine variety backed by an earthy note of malts and hops. alot of alchohol heat as well.

taste is suprisingly mellow after the smell. everything balances nicely in the beginning and leaves with a huge bang of hops and syrupy sweetness. not so much alchohol in the taste, but it is still noticeable.

mouthfeel: lightly carbonated, but sorta foams up in the mouth helping it go down smoother. im left with a nice mixture of a oilyness and flavor.

drinkability: lets just say im glad this one is back. it was the first beer i have bought an entire case of at once. i cant wait to try this one with some age. very sessionable for the big beer drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2010 07:38:40 | More by northaustin