Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA

Wychwood’s Hobgoblin IPA takes the famous Hobgoblin brand — long associated with the rich, toffee-forward ruby ale — and reimagines it through the lens of the modern IPA. It’s a smart move: the Hobgoblin name carries considerable recognition and affection, and attaching it to an IPA brings a more hop-forward offering to an audience that already trusts the brand. The question is whether the IPA lives up to both the name and the style.

Tasting Notes

Hobgoblin IPA pours a clear golden-amber colour with a white head. The nose is citrusy and floral — grapefruit, a touch of tropical fruit, and some lighter hop notes that are fresh and inviting. On the palate it delivers a solid hop character: citrus upfront, moderate bitterness building through the middle, and a clean, dry finish with some lingering hop presence. It’s more accessible than many IPAs — the bitterness is firm but not aggressive — which suits the Hobgoblin brand’s broad appeal.

Verdict

Serve cold in a pint glass. Hobgoblin IPA is a well-made, accessible IPA that does the name justice. It’s a particularly good choice for drinkers who are familiar with the classic Hobgoblin ruby ale and want to explore something hoppier without going too far into craft beer extremes. Wychwood continue to produce beers worth drinking, and this is one of them.