Stone IRS and Old Guardian

I had a 2011 Stone IRS at Christmas time and thought it was delicious. I was *shocked* . . . went in with very low expectations, which were easily exceeded. Probably wouldn't go much longer than that.

 

Old Guardian is too hoppy to have any expectations other than cardboard with time on it. IRS however is still delicious up to nine years from my experience.

 

I have a 2008 in the cellar for no particular reason, other than I bought two of them back then & wasn't wild about it fresh. If you pop it open, please report back.

 

IRS too me is too hoppy for age without properly cellaring it. I'd say the same about OG but OG holds up even in a cool, dark place rather than 55 degrees. That being said, its best at 55. In 2015, I had 07, 08, 11, 12, and 13 OG. 07 and 08 were heavily oxidized. 11-13 tasted great. I love aging OG and buy several a year just to age it. IRS is best within a year, 1.5 yr in my opinion unless you properly cellar.

 

Oh how I long for the day Stone releases IRS in six packs.

 

Still have a nice anniversary Bitter chocolate stout in the cellar. Wonder how that will be?!

 

Opened one a few months ago and while it was still quite tasty, it had lost a bit of its charm. Still have a couple left that need to go into the "drink soon" queue. For my tastes, it does not age as well as IRS.

 

I had an '11 IRS last summer and was totally blown away. still have another '11 I'll let go for another year or two. I think it's by far the best bang for the buck in terms of cellarable, magnificent stouts.

 

I have a bottle of bourbon barrel aged Stone IRS that's approaching a year in the bottle. I've been planning on drinking it right at the 1 year mark but may let it go longer based on these reports of the regular aging so well. Anyone have any experience with the BA Stone IRS?

 

I honestly can't ever keep myself off of IRS when it is in my cellar. I think I bought 6 a couple of years ago with intentions to age and drink one each year. They lasted ~1.5 years in total.

As for OG, I found a 2009 on shelves in 2012 I think and drank it in 2014. It was still pretty good. To me, OG and Bigfoot should be the bulk of inventory for a barleywine cellar.