Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009)
Stone Brewing

Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009)Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009)
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
11.3%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.09 | pDev: 10.51%
Reviews:
249
Ratings:
341
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 23, 2022
Added:
Feb 06, 2009
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  48
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Ralphus:
Photo of Ralphus
Reviewed by Ralphus from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't even know there was an old Guardian until I saw it in a liquor store in Annapolis on a recent trip to Chesapeake Bay. But it was Stone and that was good enough for me.

Pours with a nice fluffy head that recedes to a cap of foam that leaves plenty of lacing. The color is good.. a cloudy orangey amber that I enjoy looking at.

The smell is also good. Soft notes of vanilla, sweet fruit and hops are present in the beginning. It's unfortunate that the strength of the beer is so high that after a quarter of a glass you can barely smell anything though. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

The taste is a typically Stone well done balance of sweet malts, fruity yeasts and hoppy finish. In this case the volume is bumped up by at least 30% and despite not tasting the alcohol too much - you can definitely feel it! It warms the stomach and leaves a slight burning sensation.

Mouthfeel is really well done for a beer of this strength. Smooth and refreshing with very little stickiness that I would expect.

Drinkability is also good. More than a bottle is out of the question for me given it's strength - but it does go down very quickly. Nice work Stone.
Nov 27, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.54 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

Jul 23, 2022
Photo of BKotch
Rated by BKotch from Texas

4.02/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pretty darn impressive at 11 years old. Still decent mouthfeel and above average flavor. Not at all disappointed that I still have one more bottle.
Nov 01, 2020
Photo of Radome
Reviewed by Radome from Florida

4.19/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2009 Vintage tasted on tap at Aces & Ales - Tenaya, Las Vegas, NV. This was a surprisingly fresh and tasty beer at ten years old. Only aroma seemed to have faded over the years.
Feb 04, 2020
Photo of DVMin98
Reviewed by DVMin98 from North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
10 year old ABW on tap at Queen City Craft for $3.50? Oh hell yes. Lots of malt. Lots of sweetness. Very very little oxidation. So damn good. Great offering
Apr 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Jun 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by heysuz from Indiana

Jun 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.06 by dflo32 from North Carolina

Jul 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.02 by Imperialjake from North Carolina

Jul 04, 2017
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.53/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
These are some thick and syrupy barleywines. This is a deep copper and amber color, with hints of brown thrown around. Small beige head 1/4". Aroma was boozy and caramel that has been almost burned.

Taste was much sweeter than expected. Despite Greg's claim about how hoppy this is, it has just as much malt/sugar to keep the hops from dominating, especially at this age.

I think the price is decent for a bomber in this style, but ultimately I prefer Stone's smaller hoppier offerings.
Oct 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by TravisMason from Indiana

Feb 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by AleHunter805 from California

Nov 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by GRG1313 from California

Jun 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by indianabeerman from Indiana

Nov 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by bundy462 from Texas

Oct 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by needMIbeer from Virginia

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.64 by shoegueuze from California

Sep 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.4 by Beer-Zombie from Oregon

Sep 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Rothobinide from California

Aug 15, 2014
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009) from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 341 ratings