Wychwood – Goliath

Wychwood Brewery operates out of Witney in Oxfordshire, and they’ve built a well-deserved reputation for producing beers with a bit of personality. The brewery leans into fantasy and folklore with its branding — Hobgoblin is their most famous beer — and Goliath follows that tradition with a name that promises something bold and substantial. It’s a golden ale, which might seem at odds with the hulking name, but the flavour more than justifies the ambition.

Tasting Notes

Goliath pours a bright, clear golden colour with good carbonation and a white frothy head that holds reasonably well. The aroma is immediately hoppy — citrus, a hint of tropical fruit, and some floral notes that make it very inviting. On the palate it delivers on that promise: citrus-forward with grapefruit and lemon leading, balanced by a biscuity malt sweetness underneath. The bitterness is firm but not aggressive, and the finish is clean and dry.

Verdict

Serve cold in a pint glass and drink it fresh — this isn’t a beer that needs to breathe. Goliath is a cracking golden ale that punches above its weight in flavour without being overly demanding. It’s sessionable enough to have more than one and interesting enough to actually think about while you drink it. A solid choice for anyone who wants more hop character than your average pub bitter.