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Hobgoblin – Trick or Treat ?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Cam Ireland

Hobgoblin was a surprise for me. I was expecting a trick of cloyingly sweet treacle flavored old ale and instead sipped a refreshing ESB.

Hobgoblin pours a beautiful ruby-brown with a big creamy tan head.

Dark fruit, caramel malt, toffee and chocolate pervade the nose. A faint earthy, nutty, grassiness, hop aroma and even a whiff of Fall fireplace smoke hide in the background.

The flavor is complex with a roasted malt, chocolate, bread, nuttiness and subdued, but present raisins and ripe plums. Also noticeable is a touch of hop flavor. Moderate hop bitterness balances the sweet malt of this Extra Special Bitter.

The finish is well-balanced with dark fruit, caramel and a nice drying hop bitterness.

Hobgoblin is a perfect choice for your Halloween treats. Hoppy, nutty, caramel & chocolate notes will balance and compliment the sugar overload. Bonus: It is one of the “1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die”.

Verdict: Treat!

Category: 1001 Beers, Beer Style, Events, Food Pairing |

Cam Ireland

I am a BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) National judge. I am also a homebrewer. I love to taste classic styled and outside-the-box beer from around the world, explore craft beer breweries, cook and pair meals with beer and share all of these with anybody that has the same interests.

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Handcrafted Beer Cap Neckwear

32,10,0,70,1
600,600,60,1,3000,5000,25,800
90,150,1,70,12,30,50,1,70,12,1,50,1,1,1,5000
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Stone-Double Arrogant Bastard
The beer cap shown here was previously crimped on a bottle of West Coast Double India Pale Ale (DIPA). The beer is orange-copper in color and has a hoppy and malty nose. A mouth full of hop flavor and a bitter/dry and finish. Clean and refreshing even though this beer weighs in at 95 IBUs and 8.1% abv!
Green Flash West Coast Double IPA
The necklace shown here was previously crimped on the bottle of Blue Moon Belgian White. Blue moon uses 2 row barley, white wheat and oats in their grain bill. They also use Valenica orange peel and coriander to give the beer the signature aroma and flavor profile of a traditional Belgian white. The specific gravity is 1.053, IBUs-9 and weighs in at a moderate 5.4% abv. The aroma is malty with a bit of orange. The flavor has a sweet start with a bit of spicy orange flavor and a nicely balanced finish from the hops. The addition of oats provide a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
Blue Moon Front
This artisan piece was handmade using that recycled bottle cap. The cap was domed and filled with real 2-row malted barley and white wheat used this beer style. The barley and wheat is set with casting epoxy to hold the grain in place and add weight.
Blue Moon Back
Blue Moon beer cap from the side
Blue Moon Side View
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