Stone Brewing is an American craft brewery based in Escondido, California – just outside of San Diego. They are known for their big, bold, unconventional beers. Their most well known beer (at least to me) is the Arrogant Bastard Ale – it is distributed widely and is a great, aggressive tasting beer. Stone themselves say “you probably won’t like it.”
These week I’ll be tasting and reviewing Stone’s Oak Smoked Old Guardian Barley Wine. This is a huge beer that is part of Stone’s Odd Beers for Odd Years program. In 2011 – this program produced Old Guardian “Belgo” Barley Wine which was very tasty. I am looking forward to this year’s edition.
It clocks in at over 11%ABV – so it’s not fooling around in the alcohol department.
The beer poured a dark reddish copper with about a finger of egg shell colored head that disappeared rather quickly.
The aroma is not abrasive or overly smokey – but you can smell the smoke – it’s definitely going to play a role later. There is also an aroma of wood that I picked up in the background- not a ton – but enough to know that it’s there.
Upon the first sip the hops come at you almost unrelenting (where were they in aroma?) and then it fades to a nice sweetness from the oak. Finally it finishes with the smoke – not too much – just enough. The smoke becomes more apparent as the beer warms but it still is never overpowering. Throughout the beer has a silky texture and the carbonation is light and non-abrasive – very well balanced.
Overall – this is a good beer. Not an everyday drinker (11.4% ABV!!) but a nice change of pace from some of the everyday ales and lagers.
For any of you in the San Diego area – Stone has a great Bistro and even a farm! I have wanted to go there for the last couple of years – but I just haven’t found the excuse to head to San Diego yet. Check it out.
Up and Adam 
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