Hobgoblin Ruby Ale

 

          So apparently, this is the second English beer in less than a month that has been rebranded. I used to drink Hobgoblin fairly often and loved their advertising. I especially loved the poster where the Hobgoblin was sitting at a bench in his little workshop. He sat there, looking up from his desk asking “What’s the matter lager boy, afraid you’ll taste something?” It always made me smile because as a craft beer fan, that was always the question in my head for people who clung to their lager drinking habits.

According to an October 2019 article Marston’s decided it was time to rebrand three of Wychwood’s beers, including their flagship Hobgoblin. Marston’s who owns Wychwood brewing along with other recognizable English brands wanted to give Hobgoblin Ruby Ale a more contemporary look. They wanted the more contemporary look while keeping the hobgoblin character who has graced labels since the late 1980s. To be fair, the new label is cleaner, crisper, and definitely modern.

Is it a better label? Personally, I don’t think so. The new label lacks the warmth provided by the original, more colorful label. Well, that’s my opinion anyway and I’m not here to judge the beer’s packaging, I’m here to judge the beer itself. Hobgoblin Ruby Ale is a deep, reddish colored ale. It’s crystal clear with a dense, cream colored head.

          Hobgoblin’s aroma is malty, with pleasant fruit esters leading the charge. Those fruit esters smell like ripe red fruit; cherries and other sorts of berries. Hints of fresh rising bread dough and caramel come through, lending depth to the initial aroma. My overall impression of Hobgoblin’s aroma is that of a fruit tart fresh from the oven. The only difference being the beer’s malt adds a decent amount of balance to the beer’s fruit esters.

          As I take a sip, I find the flavors follow the nose nicely. Hobgoblin Ruby Ale is medium bodied and smooth with mild carbonation. I taste those fruit notes first, ripe cherry and a melange of general berry flavors. Flavors of caramel and fresh baked bread give depth and support to those initial flavors of fruit. Carbonation carries these flavors into a dry, slightly bitter finish.

          I’ll give Hobgoblin Ruby Ale 7.5 out of 10. It’s smooth, malty, and full of flavor. Fruit esters help give the beer added character and drinkability. The bitter finish comes in just hard enough to remind you what style of beer you’re drinking without overpowering your palate. If you’re in the mood for a traditional English bitter, this is well worth a visit.