BREWER: Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.3%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

TWITTER: @HobgoblinBeer

INSTAGRAM: #hobgoblin

DATE OF POST: 6th February 2021

 

JYMI SAY’S…

From memory anyway, it seems that once I had reached an age to legally go for a drink in a pub it was all Hobgoblin this and Hobgoblin that. Whether it was Twickenham, Staines or Reading it was…

‘Jymi, you coming down the Hob’?

Where shall we meet tonight? Hob?

Game of pool up the Hob this arvo?

These days soon faded away as did the chain (though from a quick search on the world wide google there are still a few Hobgoblin Pubs knocking around). But the beer from Wychwood Brewery remains. Now I don’t remember the quality of their beer form those pub years but the beer I’m supping on now is pretty decent you know. It’s very easy to get hold of and is very much a mass produced IPA brewed for multiple supermarket shelves. This does not have to mean it’s a bad beer though. There is a nice bitter citrus tone to this brew and it is good and zesty in the sip. It is a very easy drinker and though not many would shout from the rooftops about it I don’t think many would turn their nose up either.

A more than drinkable everyday traditional IPA.

Jymi’s Rating: 67%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Hobgoblin has been knocking around for a long time.  It was here before many of the current beers experiencing success.  And to be fair, you can understand why it has endured.  You see, it most definitely does have a modern twang to it, but it also appeals to more traditional beer drinkers.

While the packaging and whole marketing campaign might not be cutting edge, Wychwood Brewery most definitely let the beer do the talking.  

Hobgoblin is well balanced.  Hoppy on the nose, which carried through into the drinking.  The bitterness hits you straight up and comes through strong in the finish.  While some may find this bitter punch a little too much in an IPA, I think it works well.  It shows much thought has gone into this brew, which to be fair is well balanced and easy in the mouth.

Hobgoblin is no shrinking violet and it should be commended for being cutting edge before its time.  Sure, other brews may have surpassed it in excellence now, and there’s much competition out there, but this remains a solid beer, which will likely continue doing well.

Sammy’s Rating: 74%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 70.5% 

MOB review next weekend: THE THINGS YUZU TO ME by BREW YORK

@museonbooze – TWITTER