ok, tried the Hobgoblin on the weekend. Very nice drop - a quality well-crafted brew. Lots of malt aroma on pouring with a sort of burnt caramel whiff. Tastes smooth and only slightly bitter, with rich caramel and melanoidin malt flavours. No real hop presence to speak of. I must admit, I was expecting an extreme beer, but at 5.2% and with little bitterness, it is really just a dark English special bitter. A fabulous drink, nonetheless. I'd definitely get this one again.
Cheers - Snow