Feb 18, 2015

2015 Stone Brewing Old Guardian (Classic Release)

I normally purchase a bottle or three of Stone’s Old Guardian to set aside each year — I’ve enjoyed it enough times in the past to know what to expect. Cracking open a bottle so close to its release date is a rare occasion (and one that hasn’t occurred in a few years), but when this sample of the 2015 Classic Release arrived last week, well, I felt more obligated to drink it sooner, rather than later.

The recipe for this 11.2% ABV (80 IBU) American barleywine has pretty much remained the same since its inception in 1998 with the exception of slight changes in the hop bill. For 2015, the brewery is using a blend of Cascade, Chinook, Delta and Nugget hop varieties. The result is a beer that hits the mark with a rich malt backbone and fruity, piney hop profile that echoes past versions of the brew nicely. As with previous years, I thoroughly enjoyed the bottle, but still prefer it with a bit of age under its belt.

Appearance

The beer pours crystal clear amber in color with a creamy cap of beige foam.

Stone Brewing Old Guardian 2015 Classic Release photo

Aroma

Bready malt, toffee, a hint of alcohol, soft pine, grassy hops and a light sweetness waft effortlessly from the surface of the brew.

Taste

The toffee that is typical with Old Guardian is there, as is the solid malt backbone, but there are also hints of molasses, caramel and an array for tropical fruit notes (mango, light banana and grapefruit). For the high level of IBU this beer measures, it’s not overly biting, but still packs a good punch. A moderate level of sweetness fades slowly through the lasting, lightly drying finish.

Overall

It’s been a while since I’ve had a “fresh” bottle of Old Guardian and, from what I remember of past experiences, the beer delivers everything I’ve come to expect of it. Aggressive and rich, the beer hits the marks nicely for the style. That said, I still prefer it with a couple of years under its belt for all of the flavors to meld and the alcohol to mellow a touch.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample.

More: ,