Old Guardian Barley Wine (1998 - 2003)
Stone Brewing in Escondido, California, United States 🇺🇸
Barley Wine - Barley Rotating Out of Production|
Score
7.98
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A beautiful bold barley wine. Massive malt and hop notes. Silver Medal winner at the 2000 Great American Beer Festival in the Barley Wine category. Gold Medal winner at the 2002 World Beer Championships in the Barley Wine Category. Look for it in the first quarter of each new year. Can be cellared or enjoyed upon its release.
Admin Note: These first few years used the original recipe that was released in 1998 through 2003. For the 2004 vintage and later please use the other entry reflecting the recipe change.
Admin Note: These first few years used the original recipe that was released in 1998 through 2003. For the 2004 vintage and later please use the other entry reflecting the recipe change.
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7.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
an aggressively hopped barleywine, though not as much as some other California bw's like Bigfoot - tiny lacing - dark ruby with numerous fine floaties - big malt presence - lots of sweetness - alcohol leaves a tingling sensation on the lips - lots of fruit esters like cherry and raisin - not the greatest of barleywines, but hell, there are so many great ones out there even really good ones like this are easy to consider sub-par.
Tried
on 19 Apr 2003
at 19:08
9/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 10
Texture 8
Overall 9
A truly outstanding ale, the Old Guardian deserves a poem:
Old Guardian, poured in the night
Your aroma a sweet and malty delight
You come to me now in fine amber form
Not the same beer I swilled in the dorm!
A barleywine style, secret and strong
Fills my belly with warm alcohol song.
Nice hops I do taste at the sides of my tongue
I look to my glass, make sure all liquid is wrung.
The Old Guardian protects me and coaxes my heart
Slides down my throat a malt liquid tart
To regions where all flavor and aroma is no longer
Renewing my passion, making me stronger.
The bottle is empty, a tear in my eye
I tasted this beverage and gave it a try
And to my delight I discovered malt heaven
I'll purchase some more, 3, 9, or 11!
An excellent barleywine, my favorite in the style so far. The malts are outrageous, and the hops nicely balance their sweet complexity. I need to stockpile a few of these to age, but this beer is ridiculously good already. The poet retires to more earthly nectars...
Old Guardian, poured in the night
Your aroma a sweet and malty delight
You come to me now in fine amber form
Not the same beer I swilled in the dorm!
A barleywine style, secret and strong
Fills my belly with warm alcohol song.
Nice hops I do taste at the sides of my tongue
I look to my glass, make sure all liquid is wrung.
The Old Guardian protects me and coaxes my heart
Slides down my throat a malt liquid tart
To regions where all flavor and aroma is no longer
Renewing my passion, making me stronger.
The bottle is empty, a tear in my eye
I tasted this beverage and gave it a try
And to my delight I discovered malt heaven
I'll purchase some more, 3, 9, or 11!
An excellent barleywine, my favorite in the style so far. The malts are outrageous, and the hops nicely balance their sweet complexity. I need to stockpile a few of these to age, but this beer is ridiculously good already. The poet retires to more earthly nectars...
Tried
from Bottle
on 25 Mar 2003
at 00:13