Hobgoblin: the legendary ale from the ancient Wychwood forest

In the late 1980s, craft brewer Chris Moss received an unusual commission: a well-known lord asked him to brew a special ale for his daughter’s wedding. Moss created “the ale of his life” — dark, rich and full of character. A drawing of a goblin appeared on the label, and the beer got its name: Hobgoblin. That is how the story of one of the best-known English beer brands began.

Hobgoblin became the first bottled beer in the UK with an illustrated label — before it, bottles were faceless. Today it is the official Halloween beer of England, and the brand ranks 5th among the country’s most popular bottled ales.

Wychwood Brewery: from Clinch to Carlsberg Marston’s

The brewery’s roots go back to 1811, when the Clinch brewery opened in Witney, Oxfordshire. In 1841 the Eagle Maltings malthouse was built for it — and this is the very building where Wychwood Brewery is located now.

In 1961 Courage bought Clinch and closed the brewery. In 1983 Paddy Glenny rented part of Eagle Maltings for Glenny Brewery. In 1990, when the business passed to Chris Moss, the brewery was named Wychwood Brewery — after the ancient forest bordering Witney.

In 2002 Wychwood was acquired by Refresh UK (a Marston’s subsidiary), in 2008 Marston’s bought it out completely, and in 2020 everything was merged into the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company. In November 2023 the brewery was closed — but Hobgoblin is still being produced.

Today Wychwood produces about 54,000 barrels a year, supplying beer to 46,000 outlets across the UK and exporting to Russia, the USA, Europe and Japan.

The Hobgoblin range

What began as a single dark ale has grown into a whole range of beers under one brand.

Hobgoblin Legendary Ruby Beer

The flagship beer, 5.2% ABV (4.5% in kegs). Rich ruby color, a pronounced roasted malt flavor, a light bitterness and a fruity aftertaste. A malt-forward recipe with Styrian Golding and Fuggle hops.

Hobgoblin Stout

Strength 4.1%, coal-black color. Aromas of roasted malt and chocolate, with notes of coffee, cocoa and sweet treacle. Deceptively smooth and easy to drink — despite the dark color.

Hobgoblin Session IPA

Strength 3.4%, pale yellow color. Packed with five New World hop varieties — a fresh and zesty aroma. The flavor brings tropical fruit and citrusy hop aroma. Easy to drink, hoppy.

Hobgoblin IPA

Strength 5%, pale golden with orange glints. Brewed with the best British and Pacific hop varieties. Winner in the “World’s Best IPA” category at the World Beer Awards 2018. The flavor is a burst of oranges, grapefruit, honey and juicy bitterness.

Hobgoblin Ruby

Strength 5%, ruby color. Sweet caramel and fruity notes, chocolate malt, a blend of Fuggles and Styrian Golding hops. A rich toffee flavor and an aftertaste of figs, raisins and dates. Full-bodied, hoppy.

Hobgoblin Gold

Strength 4.2%, golden color. Brewed with four hop varieties infused into malted barley. Tropical aromas of citrus and passion fruit, a refreshingly citrusy taste. Gold medal at the World Beer Awards 2017.

King Goblin

Strength 6.6%, deep ruby with brick-red shades. A blend of Crystal and Chocolate malts with Sovereign hops. Sweet caramel, coffee and earthy aromas of roasted malt. A flavor of treacle, toffee and dried fruit. Full, rich and hoppy.

What went unmentioned

An interesting fact: in 2010 UK Prime Minister David Cameron gave US President Barack Obama a bottle of Hobgoblin ale at the G20 summit in Toronto. It is not every day that a craft beer becomes a diplomatic gift.

And in 2017 Wychwood Brewery was named the best in the UK in a public online vote.

Despite the brewery’s closure in November 2023, the Hobgoblin brand lives on. Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company continues to produce the range, keeping the recipes and the recognizable style. The goblin from the ancient Wychwood forest is still waiting for those who dare to peek into the dark bottle.