Old Guardian is a big bold American barley wine. It has loads of malt and hops.
Barley wines are traditionally hefty brews, but ours is downright excessive. The huge maltiness of this beer is only tamed by an equally prodigious addition of hops, creating a rich, slightly sweet, caramel-hued ale infused with assertive bitterness and bright hop notes, all culminating in a pleasing dryness. While it will evolve into an even more glorious brew with age, this beer's delicious onslaught of flavors will seriously challenge your ability to wait any longer to drink it.
Featured Hops: Cascade, Chinook, Delta & Nugget.
Featured Hops: Cascade, Chinook, Delta & Nugget.
Flavor Profile: Caramel, dried fruit, balanced finish.
Tasting Notes
Nov. 26, 2025: I had a small glass of a 10-year old 2015 vintage at the Stone tap house. It was wonderful.
Oct. 4, 2020: I cracked open my second growler of Old Guardian 2010 last weekend. The beer is now 10 years old and spent the last year and change in a crowler in my refrigerator. The beer is not what I remembered. The sweet malt had faded. A nice chocolate taste had emerged and the hops were kicking. malt. I don't know if the result is simply part of the aging process or being the crowler too long. Folks on Beer Advocate warned me that crowlers are NOT generally suitable for long-term storage.
I would not rate what I had as 7 glasses but am leaving the original rating alone.
20 Aug. 2019
This vintage 2010 American barleywine was on tap @ Stone. It is yummy. It has aged wonderfully. - way better than the Big Foots in my "cellar". Loads of sweet malt with backbone of muted hops. Don't tell my wife; but, I bought two crowlers. The opportunity may never come again: Stone quit brewing Old Guardian circa 2015.
Rating = 7 glasses.
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