Two for one

I didn't feel like writing anything last night, but I am going to try and make up for it tonight. Last night I had a Russian River Redemption for the first time. I have to say that (like the_photographer), I was completely underwhelmed by this one. I was expecting so much more... This one came from batch 8 and labelled as 5.15% ABV.
Ratebeer has this one pegged at 9799.
Beeradvocate seems to agree by giving it a A-.
Personally, I would give it an average rating at best. Maybe I was expecting something closer to a Golden Ale (e.g., Duvel) and got something considerably less rich. It's not that this is a bad beer, not by any stretch of the imagination, just not what I was expecting.
It poured a nice straw yellow into a tulip. It has a bubbly belgian head that quickly disappeared into a thin ring. Looked very promising. The taste was surprising floral up front, almost a hint of lavender or something. Followed up by a nice yeasty sour and a tart finish. The mouthfeel was surprisingly thin and watery.
This is probably a good rendition of a Belgian Single. I might have to find something to compare it to some day. I've had Duvel Green on tap at a bar in Manhattan Beach, CA a while back and it was considerably richer. Though Ratebeer seems to think both are "Belgian Ales", I think that a Single is a little different.

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Tonight, I had a glass of Stone Old Guardian Belgo. Old Guardian Belgo is the Odd Beers for Odd Years release of their Old Guardian Barley Wine. This was pretty much what I have come to expect from Stone. Pretty good but a little on the bitter side for my palate.
Ratebeer rates this one at 9568.
BA gives it a B+.
That is pretty much what I would rate it at. It is a pretty good beer. If you like the a bitter and slightly sour beer, then this is probably right up your alley. It starts with the sweetness and a little spice that you would expect from a barley wine. The 12%ABV rears its head with some warmth. Then the malty bitter comes through strong finishing up with a little sticky sweetness. Very much a Stone beer - aggressive and memorable. I would consider buying another bottle of this. I still prefer the Oaked Arrogant Bastard though.