Hobgoblin - Wychwood Brewery Company Ltd

Bockrules

New Mexico

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a pint glass

A - Pours a slightly hazy dark copper-to-amber with minimal carbonation rising to the two-finger, creamy, tan head. Head stays intact till the bottom of the glass. Leaves behind a substantial web of lacing.

S - Not much at all from the bottle. Nose opens up substantially in the glass to with rich caramel malt notes with hints of earthy fruit.

T - Caramel malt upfront. The body is an excellent balance of candied caramel malt with hints spiced rum and light, earthy fruit hops. A small splash of earthy hops and caramel as the beer passes over the back of the tongue sag-ways into a slightly bitter caramel finish.

M - Not much carbonation at all which lends to an exceptionally creamy character, almost like a cask beer. Medium bodied suits the style well.

It's been several years since I've had a respectable ESB, and Hobgoblin doesn't disappoint with a characteristic creaminess and exceptional balance. Overall, the beer does everything well, however given the price for a single bottle (~$5.00), the value factor is more than likely to keep me from coming back to this for quite some time.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 05:30:10 | More by Bockrules

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thin head. Dark and cloudy amber colored body.
Rich caramel and bread smell.
The taste starts strong, big malt, sweet, then it waters off ending with a slightly bitter, lemon taste. The sweetness sticks around though.
Smooth, yet still fizzy. A stickiness to the body.
A fine and enjoyable ale, but not amazing.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 01:17:12 | More by Fatehunter

tectactoe

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Old Chicago. Pours an off-shade of brown with minimal head and lacing. Up front, the beer has a woody smell, full of roasted malts and caramel with some nutty undertones. It hits the tongue with a slight bitterness that grows and grows. The taste is somewhat standard, a bit boring, with the usual malty taste, a bit of caramel and yeast, with a super bitter aftertaste. The bitterness is welcomed at first, but by the end of the pint, it grows a bit tangy and tiresome. The body is medium thickness with a somewhat dry finish and a nice helping of carbonation.

Not bad, but not great either. The ESBs are an acquired taste, so if you plan on getting into the style, I would recommend starting elsewhere. Otherwise, it's still a decent brew to try if it's available.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 00:29:05 | More by tectactoe

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Into a pint glass:

A: dark brown/amber colored body that leaves a large, thick, foamy, white head that must last at least a good two minutes.

S: light with some malts, nuts and super light citrus notes.

T: extremely dark maltiness with caramel mixed in very well and a bitter finish.

M: medium with nothing sharp on the tongue. It leaves a slight sticky feel and a good aftertaste. It is fairly drinkable.

O: in my opinion, this defines ESB's. Not just creating the standard but setting the bar for which every brewer should be making ESB's. This is superb for its style and to me.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 15:09:19 | More by kangarooAdam59

tdm168

North Carolina

3.35/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - dark brownish amber with a large, thick, foamy, brownish head that has good retention

S - light citrusy aroma

T - malty, chalky, milky, some caramel, clean bitter finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

The chalky, milky flavor is incredibly off putting. Otherwise, this is a decent, sessionable ale. I probably won't be buying it again, though.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 08:08:19 | More by tdm168

MrKennedy

Australia

2.63/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

500ml bottle from Vintage Cellars, Wynyard into a Great Divide goblet.

A ruddy amber colour with a reddish tinge to it. Nice foam upon pouring, but minimal lacing from the off-white foam.

Smell is relatively muted. Some toffee, singed caramel and sweet darker malt. Not a lot else there.

Taste has a lot of malt happening. Sweet at times, a tiny bit of hop spiciness, but it's pretty well all malt coming through in a tangy, slightly off-putting manner.

Average body, carbonation is about right. Sessionability is hampered a bit by waves of sweet malt coming through.

Disappointing. Another beer i remember being better than what this was. Is it the Refresh impact? Not sure, anyway, this doesn't make me too keen to seek out more.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 10:41:42 | More by MrKennedy

scvance

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler into a pint glass.

Pours a deep amber reddish color. Very small and quickly disappearing tan head. The aroma is very subtle, malty sweet and caramel smelling with a hint of English hops. Taste follows suit, I really did not get much of a bitter flavor at all out of it which was slightly disappointing. Taste is sweet, with caramel and biscuit flavors, very clean with a slight bitter bite at the end. Full bodied with a rather thick mouthfeel. Low carbonation, possibly as a result of the growler as I remember it being higher when I sampled it from the store. Overall, this is a good dark English ale, however I would say it lacks the bitterness to be considered an ESB. Pleased nonetheless with this beer and will probably have again.

Serving type: growler

09-17-2012 21:31:08 | More by scvance

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear reddish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin beige head that died down a bit but consistently left a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are aromas of sweet toasted malts, toffee and fruity yeast in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, but isn’t as complex and sweet; a slight amount of bitterness from the hops helps to keep the malty sweetness in check.
M: It feels a little shy of medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and can be considered sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 00:06:50 | More by metter98

FlyingBull

California

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Nice tap pour with a thick, slightly slightly tan head that that stayed half way into the drink. I was a very deep, reddish-brown colour, clear - darker in color than I expected.

S - Nice malt, some sweetness nicely balanced by an equal bitter. There was a nice, toasty flavour, with some toffee. There was a subtle hop hop aroma and flavor.

T - Nice toasted malt and caramel, with a slight sweetness well balanced by a nice traditional bitterness. There is some nuttiness on the back on the back-end.

M - Moderate body, medium carbonation, smooth feel.

All in all, I really enjoyed this beer. It's something I could have again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 02:53:48 | More by FlyingBull

DocJitsu

California

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown color that is nearly opaque, with a foamy taupe head. Red glints are noted around the edges and through the center when held to the light. Roasted malt and notes of Belgian yeast comprise the aroma. The mouthfeel is full, wet, and soft. There's a bit of tart fruit competing with the flat, sweet flavor of ripe date. There's some bitterness at the end, but no hop flavor, per se. Extremely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 03:11:39 | More by DocJitsu

Mojo

Alabama

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours up a beautiful clear mahogany dark caramel with a two finger off white head and magnificent lacing observed all down the sides of the glass. The smell is fairly sublime with notes of bread, caramel, and pine. Mouthfeel is about average, not thin, but not syrupy thick either. I can detect some rye notes in flavor along with sweet malt well balanced by the bitter hops on the finish. But I honestly didn't think it was all that bitter considering this is supposed to be a strong bitter. Overall a splendid offering.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 02:55:39 | More by Mojo

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from 2/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a coppery brown amber. Small white head with short retention and lacing. Light aroma of toasted and sweet malt and dark fruit. Flavor follows with light sweet and toasted malts, faint dark fruit, subdued. A bland, almost diluted brown beer. No off flavors and seems like it could have been a nice beer with some more intensity. I liked the graphics and presentation and wanted to like this.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 18:30:24 | More by LiquidAmber

codyhotel

Manitoba (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with a very thick, slightly off-white head that holds very well. A deep, rich reddish-brown colour with very good clarity.

S - Malty, a good amount of sweetness, toasty flavours, and some toffee. Some subtle hops and fruits as undertones.

T - Toasted malts and caramel are the first things I notice, and some more mellow yeast and chocolate flavours come through as well. A touch of nuttiness on the back. The bitterness from the hops is there, but very delicately, just enough to balance and crisp up the finish.

M - Moderate to full body, great carbonation, very smooth feel. Good finish, leaves your palate well.

Overall, a very drinkable beer. Each sip tasted like another.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 22:06:48 | More by codyhotel

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.75/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Huntsman, Bath, England

A: Cola brown with a half finger head that lingers. Light lacing.

S: Malts come "goblin" up; bready.

T: Light malts, molasses, toffee; a smooth and easy drinker.

M: Medium with creamy carbonation.

O: This one's been on my wish list for a while. Not as impressed as I thought I would be. Would like to try a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 22:23:13 | More by brewskifan55

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Dark brown/caramel color. Honey hues on the edges. Very light brown soapy head.

Aroma: Molasses. Very dark malt notes.

Taste: Lots of dried fruit. Apricot, plum. Some off flavors of soured fruit as well. No date on the bottle but I'm thinking it's expired or wasn't stored well before I bought it.

Mouthfeel: I was expecting it to be on the heavy side but it is actually pretty light and nicely carbonated.

Final Thoughts: I'm going to have to give this one the benefit of the doubt. If the opportunity arose I would try it again and give it a second chance. However, this was definitely not the beer I thought it was going to be.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 04:51:11 | More by JamesMN

TownDunkel

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

English Dark Ales, what can you say but yum. I never tried hobgoblin so this is a first taste

Appearance - A gorgeous molasses brown that sucks in light and generously lets it out, only because it wants too

Taste - Now I dig the flavors mix in here, cocoa with coffee with tree bark makes it. If your a fan of dark ales, this is the flavor you will want

Mouthfeel - The only point where the beer makes me not happy, the flavor doesnt stick around long enough and what does taste like old bottom of the bottle

Overall - This is a nice beer, just needs some work on the mouthfeel and it would be a keeper / daily drinker

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 03:01:19 | More by TownDunkel

socon67

New York

3.65/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Why I never got to this one when its on tap year-round at my local beer spot is beyond me.

A - Red/Brown pour with minimal foam. Very little lacing.

S - Smells of english malts; sweet and notes of caramel.

T - This is really an ESB? Tastes more like an english brown ale, but what the heck. Sweet initial flavor, slight toffee and caramel flavor. Some bitterneess follows.

M - Great pub beer. Easy drinking, went great with lunch, and very sessionable.

O - Good english style. I think of it as a brown ale. Enjoyable and good for a pint among friends.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 18:23:48 | More by socon67

Maxwell

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Pours a dark near black carmel with an ever so slight reddish tinge. The head is fat and frothy with a light maple syrup/whippedcream coloring and nice droopy white coloring that dissipates quickly. Carbonation seems fairly light.

Smell:
This is a very bready beer, with nice malty sweetness alongside a fruit bread wafting. Hops are nearly negligible in the smell, with the malt, and especially the yeast powering strongly through. This beer is definitely a trickster though, as its name might suggest, with some nice subtleties hidden in the smell.

Taste:
First impression is of bready with a fine malty backbone, quite similar to the smell. There’s a nice side taste of tingly rich fruits. The after taste is slightly bitter, with a sweet caramely/bready linger. As you drink down further a slightly watery taste seems to touch the beer.

Mouthfeel:
The initial sip is rich with thick bready beer, but it sweeps to away with to leave a dry resonation upon the upper tongue while the sides whet themselves for more. The beer is cool and drizzly on the tongue. Overall, after the initial splash on the tongue, the beer feels more watery and light on the tongue.

Overall:
Not a bad beer. Though it is my first dark English beer, I find it fairly reminiscent of dark Belgians that I have had. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 00:59:08 | More by Maxwell

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wychwood’s Hobgoblin has a very thick, creamy, beige head and a clear, brown appearance, with some thick, splotchy lacing. The aroma is of toffee, caramel, brown bread, and sugar, and the taste is likewise of those items, plus a decent hop bitterness and some orange flavor. Mouthfeel is medium and fluffy, and Wychwood Hobgoblin finishes delicious and highly drinkable. This is not too dry. Overall, it’s a very nice beer to drink.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 14:47:12 | More by RonaldTheriot

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice clear amber red color, with a tan creamy head about one and a half finger high. Great lacing and good retention.
The smell is not very strong, and of roasted malt, brown sugar and a hint of dark fruit.
The taste is much more complex. Some citrus fruit character is nicely blended with roasted malt and brown sugar. More bitter hops and more roasted malt character is added in the finish.
Very drinkable medium bodied beer, very smooth!

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 03:52:46 | More by Hopfenpeter

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I picked up this bottle quite a while ago, and I kept passing over it in the beer cooler. It is about time that I opened it up.

The smell is reminiscent of an old ale. Rich and thick smells of brown sugar or molasses. I get some feel of alcohol in the nose as well, which is surprising considering that this beer is only 5.2%. It might be due to the inadvertant aging in the cooler.

The flavor isn't nearly as rich. The bitter flavor comes through pretty easily. You get a decent amount of english hopping as well.

This is a very drinkable beer. I enjoyed having it this evening. It is pretty easy to find in my area. So, it may not be too hard to get in yours.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 01:59:27 | More by ummswimmin

Arno

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this before on tap and it's even better then the bottle. But still, this is a very interesting, tastefull and uncommon beer.

appearance: Amber/Red. Cream colored foam head. Not much visible carbonation.

smell: Roasted malts, caramel and dried fruits - like figs, raisins and abricot. With a slight citrus finish in the nose.

Taste: Caramel, hint of abricot, figs, nuts and citrus. Smooth, slightly creamy and not overly sweet. Has a dry, spicy but smooth citric bitter finish.

mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Bit creamy. Light to medium carbonation. Dry finish.

overall: I have to say. I fell in love with this beer from my local pub on tap. It's a bit more light, fresh and an excellent summer beer. From the bottle it's a bit more strong and flavored - and not as good. It has more spice and bitterness to it. I do prefer the tap version, but it's still a very interesting and tasteful beer. I can't really come up with a beer that's like this one. It has some odd flavor combinations. Especially the more caramel / nutty / creamy / dried fruit combo together with some sort of citrus / citric freshness and spicy bitterness.

From tap i'd easily give this one a 5.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 22:46:28 | More by Arno

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Reddish/amber color with low to moderate carbonation visible. A light lace and a wispy hurricane pattern ontop.

S - Light caramel notes and toffee sweetness. Some fruit sweetness and nutty bitter scents.

T - Very rich and smooth flavors. Nutty and dry, sweet and smooth, malty and buttery. Toffee and grains swirling around with a pleasantly light sweet aftertaste. A hint of chocolate or carob but the malt and nutty flavors shine.

M - Smooth and soft on the palate, with some refreshing soft carbonation. Smooth finish, a tad dry.

O - Balanced and flavorful, yet crisp and refreshing. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 21:49:14 | More by BeerForMuscle

bark

Sweden

2.8/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The colour is mahogany brown, the liquid clear. The finger thick head is beige. Some lacing occurs.

The smell is loaded with caramel, but also a slight hint of vegetables. Medium strong somewhat metallic bitterness. It is rather sweet, but at the same balanced.

The taste starts off with caramel and toffee and a bitterness with metallic hints. Medium body. The aftertaste is sweet with some bitter and vegetable notes. Apricot jam and smooth bitter notes in the finish.

The carbonation is medium strong, the liquid is a bit sticky.

Apart from the metal bitterness, this is a pleasant ale. A bit too malt-heavy, perhaps.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 20:00:57 | More by bark

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep ruby color semi hazy. Off white head. Chocolate covered rum raisin on the nose with some roasted caramel and toffee.

Creamy mouthfeel. Flavors similar to the nose with extra roast. Hop bitterness comes in to dry things out. Nice sweet malty hop bitter play back and forth. Pretty good. Touch of smoke, is there smoked malt in this? Classic English hop presence paired with a big complex malt character. Slightly detectable alcohol which is strange for 5.2 but the beer itself is pretty nice. Maybe too complex for such a small beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 02:10:17 | More by jtierney89