Hobgoblin
No ratings yet — be the first to log it.
Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with toffee, dark fruit, and a faint nuttiness, with a subtle earthy hop presence underneath. On the palate, expect roasted malt, chocolate, and a hint of dried plum, balanced by modest bitterness. The body is medium and rounded, giving it some substance without being heavy. The finish is malt-forward and moderately dry, with the roast character lingering pleasantly.
About the Brewery
Wychwood Brewery is based in Witney, Oxfordshire, England, and has been operating since the late 1980s. They're best known for Hobgoblin, which became one of the more recognizable bottled ales on British supermarket shelves through the 1990s and 2000s. The brewery operates under the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company umbrella now, though its beers retain a distinct character rooted in traditional English ale production. Their lineup leans heavily on the fantasy and folklore branding that Hobgoblin helped establish.
Food Pairings
A burger with sharp cheddar works well here because the malt sweetness and mild roast complement aged cheese without overwhelming the beef. Bangers and mash is a natural pairing, as the toffee malt echoes the savory richness of good pork sausage. Roast chicken with root vegetables finds a natural counterpart in the beer's nutty, lightly caramelized character. Dark chocolate desserts, particularly those with a bitter edge, play off the ale's own roasted malt notes without either element dominating.
Style Guide
English Brown Ale occupies a middle ground between pale bitter and darker porter, defined by malt-forward flavors of toffee, nut, and light chocolate with only restrained hop bitterness. The style has two loose regional traditions: the sweeter, milder Southern English version and the drier, stronger Northern version — Hobgoblin sits closer to the northern end of that spectrum. ABVs typically run from around 4% to 5.5%, and the body tends toward medium rather than full. It's distinct from American brown ale, which generally features more assertive, often citrusy hops alongside similar malt character.