A magical brew (Wychwood Hobgoblin)

Member Name: duskmaiden

Product:	Wychwood Hobgoblin
Date:	09/12/03 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: taste, colour

Disadvantages: not for summer

I have recently really become fascinated with the wide range of beers available and can be found in the beer aisle of Asda umming and aahing and working out which one I should go for. This was me on Saturday afternoon. I eventually went for Hobgoblin strong dark ale from the Wyhwood brewery I had to buy it for three reasons. The first was the name. Hobgoblin is such a nice mysterious name for a beer. I imagine this being served in The Shire to Frodo and co or in other fantasy realms. Secondly I was enchanted with the bottle?s label. It has a rather mischievous little man with arrows and a sword. Perhaps the Hobgoblin is not such a nice creature after all. The third thing that drew me to this ale was the description of it. It was supposed to have chocolate toffee malt. So was this beer good? Do I like old buildings?

Hobgoblin is a strong dark ale. The bottle says it is well balanced and full bodied whilst my beer bible says it is robust and mature. I tis produced by Wychwood a fairly new brewery since they only came into existence in 1983, based in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The brewery although new has had much success with its ales and has won many awards. Hobgoblin is their most successful ale to date. The beer can be bought in any reputable supermarkets and off licences and can be bought for about £1.50 for a 500 ml bottle. Art 5.2% it is quite a strong beer.

The appearance.

On pouring the beer I was greeted by an unusual sight. I am used to beers being golden in colour. This one is much darker. At first it looks almost as dark as Guinness but on holding it up to the light the ale changes to a wonderful dark red colour. The nearest thing I can describe the colour of this mysterious brew is that it is like blackcurrant juice. It poured very nicely and did not have too much of a head once it had settled. I also noticed it was not over carbonated either so it was easier to drink than some beers

The smell

At first sniff
I could not tell much about the beer. It just smelled like every other beer to me but after sniffing it a few times a different scent wafted up my nose. This was a rich dark smell and I am sure I could smell the toffee and chocolaty malt that the description on the bottle promised.

The taste

Here was the real treat from this enchanting ale. This is a really complex beer unlike some of the wishy washy stuff I have tasted. I certainly agree with the full flavour, mature and robust descriptions. The ale has a very dark almost smoky taste to it. I think this may come from the well roasted malt used in the beer that also gives it its divine colour. I know this sounds daft but I think there is almost a hint of treacle toffee in the rich aftertaste. It has quite a bitter taste but it is pleasant to drink. It is a beer to sip slowly and contemplate life with rather than one that young whippersnappers down just to get pissed.

I am really glad I chose Hobgoblin. I think it is ideal for the long dark nights around Halloween, Bonfire Night and into winter. I can not imagine drinking this in the summer at all. I think this might be nice with a sausage casserole or some other hearty substantial simple meal. I enjoyed the complexity of this beer, loved the enchanting colour and adore the apt name for it. Hobgoblin is one heck of an ale.

www.wychwood.co.uk

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