-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2008)
Stone Brewing
- From:
- Stone Brewing
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Barleywine
- ABV:
- 11.26%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 10.05%
- Reviews:
- 259
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 01, 2021
- Added:
- Jan 27, 2008
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 25
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by smcolw:
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts
4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Four-finger, frothy head on an orange-amber liquor. Cloudy. Thick lace on the glass.
Lots of rich caramel and brown sugar aromas. This is a sweet smelling beer with no noticeable hop. Sugary.
Surprisingly dry flavor; not at all like the aroma. Also, there's decent amount of hop bitterness in the swallow that has a lingering effect in the aftertaste. Predictably rich body with a balancing (read: high) level of carbonation. The alcohol creates an oiliness to the feel of the beer. Still, with the big flavor, this could be a deceptive beer.
Potent, but lovable, this is a hoppier version of the typical barleywine although you'd never know it in the smell.
Jun 13, 2008Lots of rich caramel and brown sugar aromas. This is a sweet smelling beer with no noticeable hop. Sugary.
Surprisingly dry flavor; not at all like the aroma. Also, there's decent amount of hop bitterness in the swallow that has a lingering effect in the aftertaste. Predictably rich body with a balancing (read: high) level of carbonation. The alcohol creates an oiliness to the feel of the beer. Still, with the big flavor, this could be a deceptive beer.
Potent, but lovable, this is a hoppier version of the typical barleywine although you'd never know it in the smell.
More User Ratings:
Rated by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
4.05/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.05/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Holding up very well. Carbonation is still proper. Zero oxidation. Boozy toffee with minimal bitterness. Bottle cellared on its side.
Dec 01, 2021Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon
3.33/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.33/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle from the cellar. 2008 vintage, purchased at the Village Pump the first year Stone made it to MD.
A mildly hazy ruby red with a dense, beige head that falls off to a ring leaving little lacing, this looks decent. The nose is still Hoppy with plenty of bitterness and some stale grapefruit juice. A moderate crystal malt character is present with toffee and caramel. Some honey and cotton candy are present. That almond like nuttiness that the better barleywines have is missing here.
The palate opens with a blend of mild bitterness and moderate sweetness. Toffee, oxidized honey, a little paper, and a little bit of sherry are present. Caramel, brown sugar with a touch of stale crystal malt is also present. Sticky sweet and full in body, this beer is mildly carbonated. Alcohol is pretty well hidden, though it does have a pleasing warmth. Carbonation is moderate. The bitterness and sweetness do clash, especially on fresh pours. As it breathes, the bitterness does fade, bringing out the honey, toffee and mildly nougat flavors out front. Decent.
Feb 24, 2014A mildly hazy ruby red with a dense, beige head that falls off to a ring leaving little lacing, this looks decent. The nose is still Hoppy with plenty of bitterness and some stale grapefruit juice. A moderate crystal malt character is present with toffee and caramel. Some honey and cotton candy are present. That almond like nuttiness that the better barleywines have is missing here.
The palate opens with a blend of mild bitterness and moderate sweetness. Toffee, oxidized honey, a little paper, and a little bit of sherry are present. Caramel, brown sugar with a touch of stale crystal malt is also present. Sticky sweet and full in body, this beer is mildly carbonated. Alcohol is pretty well hidden, though it does have a pleasing warmth. Carbonation is moderate. The bitterness and sweetness do clash, especially on fresh pours. As it breathes, the bitterness does fade, bringing out the honey, toffee and mildly nougat flavors out front. Decent.
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2008) from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
329 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!