Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Rated April 2011. Poured up on tap at Papago’s in Phoenix with amber – ruby red body and thin tan head. The aroma is full of spicy Belgian yeast with faint dark fruity esters in the background. The draw ends with some boozy heat too. The taste is similar with bold spicy Belgian yeast as well as apples, peaches and some drying booziness. It stays that way into the finish. The yeast has totally changed the experience of this beer. It seems this version, today, is less complex than the original version. I wonder how it will age though. Note to self - "save a couple of bottles for cellaring."

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

This...I would buy again. Tried the regular old guardian just over a year ago. This seemed better from what I remember. I guess the BELGO/Belgian yeast gives it more of a Belgian Ale feel and flavor vs. the standard American barleywine. Medium murky brown appearance. Drinks fairly well for 12%...not overpowering. Definitley a sweet beer, but some good hop balance to it. Good stuff!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Very big booze nose, hops, light fruit esters. Slightly hazy amber color with a soapy head. Warms the mouth all the way to the back of the throat. Lots of good hops in there with the alcohol burn, almost overpowers the light dark fruit flavors though. The more I drink and the warmer it gets the more sweet notes I pick up along with all the other mentioned flavors. Big and bold offering.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A big thanks to SlowRunner77! This beer was shared with family on Christmas, this beer was the perfect winter warmer. A big beer with sweetness and traces of heat. The beer was nicely hopped - not overwhelming. A fantastic choice for the holidays,

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Poured a decen reddish brown color with average tan head of medium size bubbles that didn't last too long. Aroma of malt, nuts and fruit. The beer is surprisingly smooth for its huge strength. Very creamy with no alcohol warming. Full bodied. The lacing slips down quickly. The finish becomes dry with a lingering bitterness. Fruit sweetness is not of the dark fruit variety. More like apple and caramel. This is a pretty good barleywine considering the strength. It keeps from being syrupy sweet without needing to load up on hops. An interesting mix of barleywine and Belgian yeast that's worth seeking out, although I'm not sure of all the high apperance ratings here.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

I was a little leery about this one, Belgian yeast in a b-wine? Works in some ipas so I'll give it a spin, thankfully this version of O.G. Wasn't as hot as the original. The fruity yeasts were more noticeable than I had anticipated, the citrus and piney hops seemed to be toned down a bit, giving this decent balance. It was smooth going down, and looked nice to boot. Overall it is worth a try.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Pours a tawny rust, good head, good lacing .. . aroma of light spice, rum, clove, cherry, and burnt barley .. . this is hot and very powerful, 12% and then some but just in the mouth- smooth as silk on the way down.. . an interesting blend, like two absolute different beers in a bottle, like that 90's style toothpaste that had a spout for the mint and another for fluoride .. . enjoyable and a fun experiment and easier to put down than the regular OG but nothing i'd seek out again .. . put a cats tail under a recliner and the cat will turn into a rubber duck complete with sounds ..

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

A deep amber colored beer with a medium, orange tinged, frothy textured head rising above. There’s some hang time. Settles into a thich ringlet atop the body and splotches of slick film aside the glass. Sugar and citrus fruit are in the nose. A big, in your face alcohol bite on first sip, Citrus fruit follows in the tasting. Medium bodied and slick on the palate. Another, ‘I dare you to drink this’ brew from Stone.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

Called up a friend to split this because I wasn't sure if i would like it. I'm still not sure. It has the same cherry brandy flavor mixed with dark fruits (plums, raisins, dates), and the Belgian yeast flavors really come out in the aftertaste. My friend tasted a lot of smoke, which I did not, but it didn't really seem to taste like fruit to him. While the triple-like yeast character was real clear at the end, it made for an unsettling undercurrent when mixed on the tongue. A lot of the flavors were enjoyable, but not together. It did not mix into an overall enjoyable experience, which is what I was afraid would happen.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

12% big boy, same as the classic 2011 version. lots of sweetish fruit esters, yeasty spice and earthiness. dry and malty. not a lot of hops coming through other than some back end bitterness, but the hoppage in the classic is toned down this year as well. very nice, glad i have more.