I like this — what should I try next?

Starting from Hobgoblin

A dark, toffee-and-chocolate strong bitter that reached national supermarket distribution when the category was contracting.

Wychwood · 4.5–5.2% ABV · Strong bitter

What you are probably responding to: bitterness (moderate–high), malt intensity (moderate–high), body (moderate), dryness (moderate), caramel & toffee (moderate).

Worked out from this beer’s own profile rather than from its style, because a well-known beer is often not typical of the category it belongs to.

Closest to it

Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.

• Best bitter

  A close structural match for Hobgoblin — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: slightly less floral (low → none–trace).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Fuller's London Pride, Marston's Pedigree

• English pale ale

  A close structural match for Hobgoblin — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → low). slightly more herbal (low → moderate).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Bass Pale Ale

• Ordinary bitter

  A close structural match for Hobgoblin — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Hop aroma is comparable — low in both.

  Different: slightly less body (moderate → low). slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → low).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Greene King IPA, Adnams Southwold Bitter

Similar, but different

Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.

• Belgian pale ale

  Keeps most of what Hobgoblin does and shifts dryness.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace). slightly more carbonation (trace–low → moderate). slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → low).

  May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Hobgoblin.

  Try: Orval, Pauwel Kwak

• English IPA

  Keeps most of what Hobgoblin does and shifts dryness.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — high in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: slightly more dryness (moderate → high). slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → low). slightly less nutty (low → none–trace).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Thornbridge Jaipur, St Austell Proper Job

• Irish red ale

  Keeps most of what Hobgoblin does and shifts bitterness.

  Shared: Sweetness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both. Malt intensity is comparable — moderate in both.

  Different: slightly less bitterness (moderate–high → low). slightly less bread & biscuit (moderate → low). slightly less nutty (low → none–trace).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale

A bigger jump

Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.

• Vienna lager

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Hobgoblin.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: slightly more carbonation (trace–low → moderate). slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → low). slightly less floral (low → none–trace).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Brooklyn Lager

• Altbier

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Hobgoblin.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — moderate–high in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both. Malt intensity is comparable — moderate in both.

  Different: slightly more carbonation (trace–low → moderate). slightly less caramel & toffee (moderate → trace–low). slightly less hop aroma (low–moderate → none–trace).

  May not suit: Very close to Hobgoblin; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Uerige Altbier

• Kellerbier

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Hobgoblin.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — low in both. Body is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: noticeably less caramel & toffee (moderate → none–trace). slightly less nutty (low → none–trace). slightly less floral (low → none–trace).

  May not suit: Noticeably less caramel & toffee than Hobgoblin.

  Try: Mahrs Bräu Ungespundet