Goblin's Blade might be tagged a red IIPA, and weigh in at the sort of booze level to justify such a tag, yet you could also argue a case for it being an imperial red, such is the preeminence of the specialty malts in the mix. From the moment it fills your glass with that lovely deep amber colour of a barleywine – complete with bubbles rising slowly as they strive to make their way upwards through the gloop – you know your taste buds are in for a hearty treat.
The aromas are reminiscent of sugar-and-butter-heavy cake batter, while the flavours that follow have a rich, almost fortified, nature to them, with toffee to the fore. The role of the hops seems to be to lightly embellish and add balance as much as it is to show off. Arguably most impressive, however, is the utter lack of heat despite the 8.4 percent ABV.
Sign up to our newsletters and get the latest craft beer news delivered free to your inbox. Choose from our Friday Roundup of the week, the quick-read, social feed-like Crafty Cuppa – or both!
