March 7th, 2014 - United Hobgoblin Abomination

Evenin' my friends!  Tonight I'm pairing Megadeth's "United Abominations" and the Hobgoblin Dark English Ale from Wychwood Brewery Company Ltd. outta Witney, Oxon England!  Hell yeah!!

Hobgoblins are friendly but often troublesome creatures (kinda like Dave Mustaine) of the Seelie Court in tales of legend. Probably the most commonly known hobgoblin is Shakespeare's Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as the super-villain Hobgoblin in the Spider-Man comics.  Anyway, the beer made by Wychwood Brewery Company Ltd. is a traditional dark Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB) ale brewed with chocolate and crystal malts, English Fuggles hops, and Styrian Goldings hops.   It pours a reddish mahogany with a thin, mocha head that dissipates quickly and leaves virtually no lacing.  The nose is a nice caramel/cocoa aroma... like a Tootsie Roll!  There are notes of sweet bread, dark fruit, and a touch of spice as well.  Light-bodied, the mouthfeel is very smooth and inviting.  It goes down real easy, but as some good kick... just like Megadeth!  The flavor is rich and delicious.  Notes of raisin bread, burnt toffee, cocoa, and roasted malts abound!   The Hobgoblin finishes nice and meaty... just like the song structure in  "United Abominations"!

Megadeth's "United Abominations" is the band's 11th studio album and was released on May 8th of 2007.  Returning to an earlier sound, the album is fast-paced and pounding thrash metal in the vein of "Rust In Peace" and "Youthanasia".  Along with Mustaine (on lead vocals, lead/rhythm guitar, acoustic guitars, and production), the band at the time was made up of Glen Drover (lead, rhythm, acoustic guitars and backing vocals), Shawn Drover (drums, percussion and backing vocals), and James LoMenzo (bass and backing vocals) along with the amazing guest vocalist Cristina Scabbia (harmony vocals on the re-recorded "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" of Lacuna Coil fame)!  Politically charged, the lyrics are aggressive, biting, and very Mustaine (which isn't necessarily always a good thing... but it is here!)  Songs like "Sleepwalker", "Washington Is Next!", "United Abominations", "Blessed Are The Dead", "You're Dead", and "Burnt Ice" are brutal and timeless thrashers of perfect delivery in classic Megadeth style!  How 'Deth is this passage from "You're Dead"?  "One day I'll dance on your grave, even if you're buried at sea."

Cheers!!