Wychwood Brewery King Goblin Special Reserve

The Wychwood Brewery is in Witney, Oxfordshire, England.  They make a nice line of English ales.

This 6.6% ABV beer pours medium to dark brown and burnt orange and is translucent, but not transparent.  There is a tall quarter-inch to short half-inch of creamy off white foam that leaves medium lacing down the glass.  The aroma is interesting, as much lager as ale.  There is grain, caramel, dark fruits, earthiness, molasses, some aromatic zestiness, but all fresh and clean.  The taste is a subtle combination of all the aromas with a bit of nuttiness and with a crisp, zesty and bitter finish that also has some grassiness.  It is well-carbonated, with a refreshing sting in the mouth, yet still smooth.  This tastes nothing like I expected it would, but it tastes very good and is a refreshing ale, especially for 6.6%.