Review – Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2008)

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine – Vintage 2008 – Chilled, poured from a 22oz bottle into a wine glass (the goblet-style used for pinot noir). 11.26% abv.

Purchased at Dawson’s Liquors in Severna Park, MD

Appearance: Dark orange and slightly cloudy. It reminds me of the orange that Dodge paints its new Chargers and Challengers. The head was very slight but left a little lacing when swirled around the glass.

Aroma: Bread and spices.

Mouthfeel: Slightly syrupy yet finishes clean.

Taste: A perfect balance between hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness. The higher ABV helps add to the sweetness of the brew, yet it doesn’t have the ripened fruit of other Barley Wines.

Drinkability: I had no trouble polishing off the bottle (by myself) in one sitting. True to its name, it drinks more like a wine than a beer and at $7 a bottle, it’s a great value compared to many $10 red wines.