Dark,smooth,bitter –Hobgoblin (5.2%) from Wychwood is a delicious pudding of a beer! The bottle says “Traditionally Crafted Legendary Ruby Beer”–their capitals,not mine. It’s darker than ruby –at least I’ve never seen a ruby this dark –it is very like a porter or a stout. It has a rich malty aroma,a chocolatey - almost chewy - taste,and a dark bitterness,like bitter chocolate or espresso coffee,with a little bit of a fruity tang,and a long-lasting bitter finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle,and it is definitely up there among my current favourites.
Although the bottled version is 5.2%,the cask version comes in at 4.5% –which would make it possible to drink two or three in a session. With the bottled version I’m afraid it’s one at a time for me!