Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2007)
Stone Brewing

Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2007)Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2007)
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
11.26%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 9.69%
Reviews:
240
Ratings:
291
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 09, 2023
Added:
Jan 25, 2007
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  13
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by boston2bburg:
Photo of boston2bburg
Reviewed by boston2bburg from Virginia

3.92/5  rDev -5.1%
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.
Feb 01, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.25/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bomber from a friend, 16 years aged. Didn't fare that well. Dull amber pour, malty aroma and taste, tobacco, leather and signs of oxidation. Still plenty warm though.
Oct 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.19 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Oct 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by wethorseblanket from California

May 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.01 by McMatt7 from Pennsylvania

Mar 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BDeibs from Colorado

Aug 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by MickeyHops from California

Aug 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by GRG1313 from California

Aug 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by zestar from California

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by ccurrid from Massachusetts

Jun 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by afsdan from Colorado

Apr 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by imperialking from Illinois

Feb 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by ricecracker420 from California

Jan 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Beersnake from California

Nov 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by jvillefan from California

Aug 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by moonknight31 from California

Jul 24, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jul 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Jul 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by mikeincharleston from North Carolina

May 13, 2013
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2007) from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 291 ratings