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Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009)
Stone Brewing
- From:
- Stone Brewing
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Barleywine
- ABV:
- 11.3%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.09 | pDev: 10.51%
- Reviews:
- 249
- Ratings:
- 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 champ103:
Reviewed by champ103 from Texas
3.25/5 rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
3.25/5 rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A: Pours a hazy dark reddish/orange color. A two finger white head gently rises. Some sticky lace is left on the glass.
S: Lots of floral, medicinal, and fruity hops. Apples, pears, and grapefruit jump out at me. A medicinal tea like aroma. A very light malty sweetness as the aroma lingers.
T: Bitter, oily, and resiny hops. Grapefruit dominates the flavor. Not much else, no real malty sweetness to balance the flavor out. Lots of hot alcohol.
M/D: A medium to full body. A crisp snap of carbonation. This is very hot from the alcohol, and a bitter beer makes this hard to drink for me.
I am always willing to revisit a style that I am not crazy about. This is what I have come to expect from an American Barleywine though. Lots of hops and no balance with the malt. If that is your thing, then pick some up because you will not be disappointed.
Apr 27, 2009S: Lots of floral, medicinal, and fruity hops. Apples, pears, and grapefruit jump out at me. A medicinal tea like aroma. A very light malty sweetness as the aroma lingers.
T: Bitter, oily, and resiny hops. Grapefruit dominates the flavor. Not much else, no real malty sweetness to balance the flavor out. Lots of hot alcohol.
M/D: A medium to full body. A crisp snap of carbonation. This is very hot from the alcohol, and a bitter beer makes this hard to drink for me.
I am always willing to revisit a style that I am not crazy about. This is what I have come to expect from an American Barleywine though. Lots of hops and no balance with the malt. If that is your thing, then pick some up because you will not be disappointed.
More User Ratings:
Rated by BKotch from Texas
4.02/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
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, 2020Reviewed by Radome from Florida
4.19/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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, 2020Reviewed by DVMin98 from North Carolina
4.08/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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, 2019Reviewed 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
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, 2016Taste 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.
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale (2009) from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
341 ratings
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