Stone Old Guardian -Extra Hoppy- Barley Wine Style Ale

Stone Old Guardian -Extra Hoppy- Barley Wine Style Ale is a 2015 Odd Year release for Stone, and it looks they took this insanely hoppy beer style and made it “extra hoppy”.

This pours with a nice dark reddish color with a nice off white head. Pineapple, pineapple and more pineapple on the nose! A little sweet caramel malt comes into play in the aroma as well. So far so good!!! I was expecting a 100% pineapple bomb in the taste, but it is a bit more complex than that, especially after warming a bit. Less pure pineapple and more of a mixed tropical fruit salad to start on the taste. The sweet caramel and toffee of regular Old Guardian comes into play, followed by a strong bit of pine and just the right amount of bitterness for me.

Everyone likes their Barleywines different, and I usually choose to age them for a while myself. I am so glad I opened this one fresh though, not so sure this getting better with age, it is really tasty right now.