Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2002)
Stone Brewing

Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2002)Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2002)
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
9.91%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.23 | pDev: 11.35%
Reviews:
30
Ratings:
36
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 18, 2016
Added:
Apr 14, 2002
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Bierman9:
Photo of Bierman9
Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Wow!! What a bier to end the work-week and start a vacation with! A good friend of mine came across this and, knowing I love "good" bier, let me have it! Gorgeous auburn color, with a small, fine, thin head and some lace. The good appearance rating is due to the color....I love it....wish my wife's hair was that color!! (But I digress...) Nose was a superb, strong combo of sweet, raisiny notes, alcohol, and hops. Whoa! Mouthfeel? Real good body, almost chewy, and real smooth. Sweet, rich, malty flavor to lead-off, some caramel notes present; almost similar to some Doppelbocks. Follows-up with a kick-ass hop finish, and it makes it's way down the hatch in a real warming fashion. Damn, I love this bier! How can I get another? Prosit!!

overall: 4.75
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | mouthfeel: 5 | drinkability: 4.5

224
Jun 28, 2002
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.53 by materdaddy from California

Feb 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by SimcoeKid from California

Aug 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Feb 25, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by trancesk8er from California

Jun 09, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by hawkmage from California

Dec 31, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by jerz from California

Nov 18, 2011
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.66/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Out of the bottle at Winter Storm

A: The beer pours a hazy amber color with a finger or so of tan colored foam.

S: Starts off with caramel and citrus, mostly oranges, along with a nice sharp pine note. There's a bit of vanilla in there, but also some cardboard, unfortunately. Brown sugar provides some more sweetness.

T: Still quite bitter with a lot of pine and citrus peel. The vanilla is there again, as is a strong flavor of toffee. Grapefruit, pine, and grass add some perception of hop character. The cardboard is here, but it's fairly minimal.

M: The body is medium to full with a moderate level of carbonation.

D: Not bad for a nine year old beer. I prefer it fresh or with a year or two on it, but still not bad.
Feb 08, 2011
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.7/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a dark, obscured, rich amber body with a thin, beige head.

Smell: Sweetish, robust caramel maltiness with a scent of juicy raisins and a distinct Juicy Fruit note present.

Taste: Dry, caramel-laden maltiness and a middling sweetness. Some raisins, some grape skins, and damned if I can't shake that taste of Juicy Fruit. Several years later and there's still a medium-high hop bitterness on-hand. Citrusy, woodsy hop tastes. Finishes bittersweet with a kick of alcohol heat right at the very end.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied. Medium-low carbonation.

Drinkability: Enjoyed as part of a vertical spanning the vintages between 2002 and 2007. The 2002, while still plenty tasty and holding up remarkably well, just didn't quite deliver the goods like the 2003 does/did.
Sep 09, 2008
Photo of joecast
Reviewed by joecast from Australia

4.06/5  rDev -4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
enjoyed on-tap at lucky baldwins

what a beer. never tried this edition before, but i bet its never been this smooth. looked fantastic in a chimay goblet. served at absolutely the right temp.
the aroma had melded together so well it was hard to pick out each constituent, same with the taste. the only one that stuck out was the alcohol. expected in something of this strength, it just managed to poke its obnoxious head out from such a now-refined brew.
as good as it was, it was tough to finish. very potent, and very good.
May 30, 2007
Photo of BlindPig
Reviewed by BlindPig from Nevada

4.78/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A- about a 1/4" tan head on a deep amber body that is a bit clear but a bit cloudy (clearest one out of 00-02). Has a little bit of a lacing in the middle with a nice white collar and a decent amount (for the collar size) sticking to the side of the glass.
S- Caramel malts play a big part in this one with a helping of alcohol. Really sweet and hops maybe consist of citrus and grass mixture. Maybe even a slight roasted smell? A bit of fruit too but not a lot.
T- A nice blanket of caramel malt is laid down with the stiching being a nice light roasted flavor. On top of this we have a good deal of sugar making it really sweet. Alcohol comes into play next covering the tongue. Has a nice kind warming to it the kind you would hope for on a nice cold autumn night. Some light citrus flavors come in after that. Maybe some light grapefruit, lemon, and orange. A nice bitterness acts like the sky for all of this (it is there but not intruding on anything just giving it light so you can see everything). Maybe even a hint of darker fruits come into play. All of this is very smooth and delightful. There is also a nice light oak flavor through all of this too.
M- Low carbonation making for a very smooth and appealing strong brew. It has just the right body to put all this big complex and well blended flavors on also.
D- This is an excellent brew. Not quite a 2000 but it does out due the 2001. Has a lot smoother feel to it. Not quite as harsh and is more welcoming (but be careful since that can bite you in the ass quite quickly too).

This may be my most elaborate review yet.
Dec 06, 2006
Photo of erica
Reviewed by erica from California

4.01/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
During my last trip to California, I got to share this bottle with TheLongBeachBum on my last night there, sitting on the sofa watching TV while the rain poured down outside..

This beer was a dark rusty red-brown color, very cloudy at first with bits floating around, with a ring of bubbles around the glass and a thin layer of bubbles dotting the surface. As it settled after some time, the beer was less cloudy overall, and there became what looked kind of like a big 'dust cloud' of sediment at the bottom.

Smelled really sweet. I couldn't get over the sweetness and was worried I wouldn't even want to drink it. Brown sugar, caramel, raisins, and a fairly stong alcohol aroma too. Very characteristic of a barleywine but sweeter than I prefer. Taste was refreshingly more hoppy. Oh thank you Stone for the lasting hops! It tasted much less sweet than it smelled, more fruity without all that brown sugarness, grassy, a bit hot, with fresh bitter hop end, even 4 years after the fact. Like several beers in one sip from beginning to end. This is very nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel was very smooth, yet hot. Thick but not syrupy and still nicely carbonated. It's pretty damn drinkable for how strong it is, and the hops definitely add to that, otherwise it'd be a syrupy mess. Thanks for sharing, Bum, I owe you!
Apr 13, 2006
Photo of TheLongBeachBum
Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Presentation: Limited Spring 2002 Release Stone Old Guardian which has been hiding in my closet for the past 4 years. Listed at 9.91% ABV.

Appearance: Clouded mahogany with some ruddy brown swirling pools of turbidity. Strangely enough though, given time in the glass it clears to reveal a lovely lucid rusty red coppered body. Head was decent enough to cover the contents at first but soon broke early on to leave only a thin halo ring and a little broken swirling galaxy like nebula in the centre. Nevertheless, the looks and carbonation were both still good, 4 years on.

Nose: Caramel, thick malts and a light toasted toffee background. The aromas are pungent and the alcohol is still there, though it is mature in character. Woody hops dominate set against a glowing fireside sweetness.

Taste: Chewy start with some warm malts which have a strong toffee aspect and lots of caramel. Middle reveals the bitterness and the finish has aniseed and more rasping hops. The high contribution from the hops after such a time was a surprise, but not one I’d complain about. Light oak & more aniseed in the finish with a little more sweetness than the fresh versions. Very nice indeed.

Mouthfeel: Bold chewy feel with some toffee and caramel. The alcohol is smooth and not as raw as when sampled fresh. Conditioning really adds to the easy going high end feel.

Drinkability: Not so much heat in this aged version, but it still has a big ass-kick that manages to portray its near double-digit strength. A good late-night sipper.

Overall: 4 years gone and it is doesn’t really show any flaws; this 2002 offering reflects its maturity now rather than its hot-headed youth. What impressed me the most was the prevalent humulus content; it is still high end with a lovely hop kick that manages to neatly keep the alcohol and sweet malts in check. Good stuff.
Mar 30, 2006
Photo of BeerRun13
Reviewed by BeerRun13 from California

4.15/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Another good one from Sam at the Stuffed Sandwich.

Poured into a large wine glass. Pours a very nice redish orange color with a small off white head. The head falls pretty quickly leaving a small ring around the glass. No lacing at all.
Citrusy, cherry aromas are strong with some spicy hops. Smells nice.
Caramel flavors are evident as well as sweet malts. The backbone of this beer is definitely the fruity citrus and cherry tones. Spicy hops leave a bit of well balnced bitterness.
Full bodied. The hop spice is just right at the swallow. Maybe a little dry.
This is a nice sipping style beverage. You could drink a couple of these, but you're better off slowly enjoying it. These beer has aged well.
By the way... Be cautious on your pour. You may get a big pile of yeasty sediment in your last pour!
I learned the hard way.
Mar 24, 2006
Photo of ggroller
Reviewed by ggroller from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Traded with Swillinbrew who was nice enough to part with this gem.

Beautiful silk screened bottle.

The beer is a translucent amber colored liquid with a finger's width of a soft,wispy head.

Lots of different aromas float past the nose. Vanilla, candied sugar, brown sugar. Slightly alchoholic.

Tastes of sweet brown sugar, vanilla, and raisins. A little bit of butter in the finish. Very nice and very well rounded. I did not have the 2002 fresh but I imagine the last three years helped this brew mellow to the delicious state it is in at the moment.

Velty smooth and creamy mouthfeel.

What a pleasurable beer.
Dec 29, 2005
Photo of beerceller99
Reviewed by beerceller99 from Louisiana

4.12/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2002 bottling from the cellar. Enjoyed on 20-feb-05.
Beautiful clear garnet hue with a slight off white head.
Caramel-toffee sweet malt and raison smell.
Medium- full bodied with a surprizingly smooth mouthfeel.
Has a raisony, vinous caramel malt flavor with the alcohol stinging my tonsils.
As expected not much hop action here.
An excellent fireside sipper.
The only detraction here was the clumps of sediment in the second and last pour.
Try and filter this out if you drink an aged Guardian, it neutralizes the delicate flavors here.
May 06, 2005
Photo of Gusler
Reviewed by Gusler from Arizona

4.42/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Vintage 2002 Release: The pleasure of buying beer by the case is having it around to review when you realize you never put down your notes.

The beer departs the 22-ounce brown bottle a deep copper to almost brown with a moderate sized head and the texture frothy with the color a beauteous light tan, as it slowly recedes the residual lace forms a thick and sealing sheet upon the glass. Nose is rich in fusel alcohol, sweet buttered popcorn comes to mind, fresh and pleasing to the senses, and start is rich in malt, quite sweet and the top moderate to full in feel. Finish is pleasantly acidic, the hops docile in their spiciness, the aftertaste sweet and dry with a definite alcohol bite and a nice tummy warmer to be sure, better than when it was fresh, not sure about that, but still damn good.
Aug 18, 2004
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Reviewed by BrewMaster from California

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Overall I very much enjoyed this beer. I had a cellared 22 oz bottle. Very spicy and smooth in taste. Great amber/orange color in the glass. A nice head that stuck together through the whole drink. Very strong aroma of alcohol and wood (oak?). The wood flavor also comes through. I assume this is from the barrels it passed through.

I tasted this along side a 2003 and a 2004 Old Gaurdian and I must say that this 2002 was my favorite of the three.
Aug 09, 2004
Photo of Stubbie1
Reviewed by Stubbie1 from Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This brew pours a deep dirty orange. A thin but persistent white head formed and faded to a sticky lace. The aroma is warm hints of alcohol, but a bit hop-e. Hints of dark fruit and a small wiff of citrus are present. The taste is great. Waves of alcohol and spice come across the palate. The hops make their way to the front followed by fruity flavors and a great malt background. There is also a slight sweet flavor mixed in.

Overall: this is one fine barley wine. It does have its own distinct taste and may seem harsh at first but as you enjoy more of it and the beer warms, it is one fine brew. Thanks to EyeChartBrew for this fine offering!
Dec 22, 2003
Photo of ManekiNeko
Reviewed by ManekiNeko from Virginia

4.27/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle served somewhere between cold and cellar temperature in a Trois Pistoles goblet.

Appearance: Glowing reddish orange topped with a slight beige head that quickly evaporates to a layer of film, and then a ring. No lacing worth talking about.

Smell: Orangy citrus, cherry fruits, maple sweetness, caramel and toffee malts, spicy hops. Just a crapload of barleywine goodness.

Taste: Intensely bitter pine flavor at the tip of the tongue. Nice mellow caramel and toasted malt sweetness towards the middle of the tongue. Peppery notes all throughout. Lingering aftertaste with some citric notes.

Mouthfeel: Nicely, and appropriately, viscous with a good solidly heavy body. There's junk in the trunk to be sure.

Drinkability: Well, if I could find another one or two of these guys, $$$ wouldn't be much of an object, let me tell you. A bomber is a bit much for one person, but damn am I willing to indulge a bit. A very American (read: hoppy) take on the style. This must have been hellfire when it was young.
Dec 04, 2003
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2002) from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 36 ratings