High-quality beer is not often found on the Russian market so that after consumption the hops are light and the head is clear. But in the UK they know a lot about foam drinks. Especially the British appreciate the Hobgoblin beer. The history of this drink is as unusual as its taste.
History of creation
For many centuries, the city of Whitney, in the county of Oxfordshire (UK), has been famous for the best recipes for quality beer. It was in this wonderful place in 1841 that the small Wychwood Brewery brewery was born, producing amazingly tasty beer according to old recipes. The most popular beer produced here is the Hobgoblin. According to surveys conducted in the UK, this variety is in fourth place in popularity. He is especially appreciated by young people and people who prefer quiet, leisurely conversations over a glass of fragrant English ale.
Despite the frenzied popularity, the Hobgoblin beer did not appear immediately. After almost a hundred and fifty years, in 1985, a talented brewer was hired to work in the brewery. Chriss Moss was known for his extraordinary approach and knowledge of old English recipes. Once a rich man ordered a special kind of ale to celebrate his daughter’s wedding. During the preparation of the drink inside the bottle, Mossu got a brownie. In English folklore they are also called goblin or goblin. So the name of the new dark beer appeared, which pleased both the customer and the performer.
Mysterious design
This English beer has a somewhat hooligan label with a slight note of mysticism, unusualness and even mystery. The bottle sticker is very bright and colorful, immediately attracting the attention of the buyer. Initially, the goblin was depicted on it as English folklore sees it. A little later, realizing that the popularity of beer is gaining momentum, the creators came up with other labels. Today, Wychwood Brewery beer labels feature a black witch, Goliath, Redbeard, Scarecrow, Violinist and many other characters.
If you will be purchasing Hobgoblin beer in Russia, you will see the translation on the label. Also on the reverse side will be the Russian letters describe the composition of beer (water, yeast, malt and hops) and information about the manufacturer.
Hobgoblin is a beer that has not only an unusual label, but also a bright colorful lid. It depicts the emblem of a brewing company. And this, you guessed it, is a mysterious goblin.
Taste and color
Hobgoblin beer is made from three varieties of hops and several varieties of malt. This made it possible to create the perfect flavor combination that lovers of the foamy drink so loved. Despite the fact that the alcohol content in this drink is 5.2%, there is no taste or alcohol smell (as in cheap beers). According to reviews, "Hobgoblin" is a very pleasant and tasty beer with a little bitterness remaining in the throat and tongue. The taste is a little sweet, tart and enveloping. The aftertaste remains for a long time, which is especially appreciated by connoisseurs.
The color of the beer "Hobgoblin" is also unusual, mystical. As a rule, dark beers poured into a glass give redness. Here, a very even and beautiful brown hue plays languid juicy colors in your glass. So I want to bring the glass to the light and take a closer look. But is the goblin hiding there?
Foam
As experienced brewers say, the “right” foam is a business card that quality English beer should have. The foam in the Hobgoblin beer stays in the glass for a long time after the spill, settles sedately and slowly, decorating the walls of the vessel. The height of the beer foam in this case is about two centimeters. The foam is very lush, if not thick. There are very few bubbles in it.
Scent
It is known that quality beer can easily be determined even by smell. The aroma of beer "Hobgoblin" is characterized by an abundance of shades. Here you can feel notes of pear, black pepper, spices, caramel and, of course, good hops.
Experienced beer connoisseurs say that the smell of Hobgoblin beer is very persistent and intense. Beer smells of classic English ale, without a stable alcoholic aroma.
Advantages and disadvantages
Summarizing all the above, I would like to note the main advantages and disadvantages of Hobgoblin beer. Let's start with the good side.
- Classic english ale.
- Quality ingredients.
- Abundant "tasty" foam.
- Amazing aroma.
- Pleasant, tart, slightly bitter taste.
As for the shortcomings, there are very few of them. Firstly, this type of beer is not sold in all Russian stores. It will be possible to try quality English beer if you spend a lot of time searching for it.
Secondly, not everyone can afford this type of beer. The price is frankly biting. If, say, an ordinary Russian beer “consumer goods” costs 35-50 rubles per bottle, then English beer will cost you 250-300 rubles (depending on the region, seller, store).
Thirdly, beer brought to Russia is sold in glass bottles or cans, that is, it is not alive (it was heat-treated). English beer, which is sold in pubs and bars in the UK, will vary significantly with its taste. According to experts who have tasted real dark beer, it is significantly different in richness and density.
To summarize, I would like to note that it’s definitely worth trying the Hobgoblin beer, despite its price and complexity of acquisition. Even after processing, it does not lose its amazing taste, light hops, which pleasantly stupefying your head, and great aroma.