Review – Stone Old Guardian Barleywine 2009

TheFullPint.com was curious as to what hops were used this year for Old Guardian Barleywine, as it varies from year to year.  Stone Brewing’s Head Brewer Mitch Steele answered us with this.
Warrior for bittering.
East Kent Goldings for flavor.
Dry-hopped with a blend of Centennial, Chinook and Simcoe.

Now on to the review!

Stone Brewing Co. – Old Guardian Barleywine, Vintage 2009 – 22 oz. bottle, poured into an Old Guardian glass – 11.3% abv. Purchased at Whole Foods Market Arroyo, Pasadena, CA.

Appearance: Dark orange with an active sudsy head.
Aroma: Big hop nose featuring grapefruit and pine. Malty notes of brown sugar were very apparent.

Taste: Pine and grapefruit right out of the gate. This was followed by dried apricot that ended in big bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Syrupy and astringent.

Overall: More mellow than the last two years at the same freshness point. It is either that, or my tongue has taken a beating over the years with these agressive, bastardly beers.