Wychwood Hobgoblin (Pasteurised)

Brewed by Wychwood (Refresh UK - Marstons plc)
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Witney, England

500ml bottle - Pours dark reddish brown with a thin head. The aroma is dominated by caramel malts with a touch of yeast, and that was telling of the flavor as well. There wasn’t much going on here. The moderate body was okay and the palate and the finish was dry and lightly bitter. This beer was okay, but at five bucks for one bottle I expected better. It’s definitely not worth it even for a bottle that survived okay despite being clear. I see some reviewers had skunkiness problems. What is it with English ales and their clear bottles? Don’t they care about their product? It baffles me.

Dark black/brown beer with a light brownish creamy head. Thick root dirt smell is totally diffrent from the rich sweet taffey malt flavor. It also has caramel tons.

Brown 12 oz bottle and pop the lid to get a mild laid back aroma. Pour it into the glass and and it looks somewhat like root beer, clear and reddish brown. Flavor is much milder than I expected, friendly with many manners. I like this brew, it is non offensive and easy to deal with. Does have an ever so slight bitterness that is barely detectable but this is much less than many good pale lagers I’ve had. Undoubtably one of the better ESBs I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. Much better than speckled hen and whitbread pale ale. Has the better attributes of malt roastiness without bitterness. Fun and easy to drink, very nice and refreshing. Would not hesitate to buy this again. Glad I tried this, I almost passed it by because I don’t care for ESB too much. Leaves a pleasant memory.

I have never had anything by this brewer before. I tried this one on draft at Pipers Pub in Pittsburgh. It poured a very dark red-brown color with a small tan head. The aroma was sweet and hoppy with a bit of citrus noted. The flavor was fruity (apple and citrus), tart, and had a hint of spice. This was a rather enjoyable draft. I will now have to track down the bottle.

Nutty and lightly bready malt aroma, toasty and grainy with hints of chocolate and toffee, combined with a light-moderate amount of fruity, spicy English hops. Medium-dark red-amber in color, clear, with a finely creamy head. Dark brown sugar and toffeeish malt flavors, with a modicum of hop flavors right alongside, providing a spicy, mild bite. Brief glimpses of red apple fruitiness and a slight woodiness, leading to a tangy finish. Smooth palate, light-medium bodied and a moderate amount of effervesence. Quite drinkable.

Bottle from BevMo. Poured dark brown with a thick white head. Caramel malt in the nose. Flavor of caramel malts, hops, bread, and slight hints of dark fruit. Finishes finishes average with a slight bitterness. Decent.

On tap at the Dog and Pony in Renton. Probably shouldn’t have tried this beer after an RIS and an IIPA. but it just tasted like nothing in particular, but with a dry finish. Probably need to re-rate some time soon.

500 ml Can.Dark brown colour with medium beige head.Aroma of dry fruits and tosted bread.Note of nuts and caramel smooth and mild finish.