Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Beer Review: Hogshead Brewing Company's Chin Wag

A proper pint
by Nathan Solheim on May 12, 2014 in Beer

Drop by the Hogshead Brewing Company in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood and order up one of their beers, and the experience will leave you anything but bitter.

See what I did there? If not, it’s time to brush up on your beer terminology.

Hogshead’s take on craft beer is to focus on English-style ales. This mere fact alone merits rejoicing—it adds a nice bit of Old World variety in a town obsessed with figuring out the next biggest and best beer thing. One of Hogshead’s most popular beers, Chin Wag, is a traditional Extra Special Bitter, or ESB, served from a naturally carbonated cask system. In all, Hogshead has the capacity to serve seven cask beers—a wonderful development for blokes who like proper English pints of real ale.

Like many traditional ESBs, Chin Wag focuses more on malt than hops. As such, its taste centers on a very pleasant sweetness with noticeable flavor of toffee. Owing to traditional strains of English hops, Chin Wag’s bitterness is pretty subtle. All in all, Chin Wag is a terribly drinkable beer— one could down several pints of the stuff while lounging on Hogshead’s comfy patio. While the beer’s head takes off faster than Nigel Mansell at Brand’s Hatch, its lacing hangs around for quite a while. At 5.8 percent ABV, Chin Wag could easily be a session beer for some of the more strong-livered out there. Most other people will need to bear in mind how many Chin Wags they’re drinking.

The brewery/taproom— located in the Denver’s Highlands neighborhood— took over a space formerly occupied by a service station, so it’s a far cry from a typical pub in the British Isles. However, it works well in America. It’s easy to imagine famed real ale partisan Inspector Morse seeing Hogshead as a welcome respite during a murder mystery that brought him to Denver. Feel free to wash down fried foods with this lovely brew—chicken, fish, cheese sticks—I’d even pair it with steamed shrimp.

Use Chin Wag as an introduction to Hogshead’s many other brews, which rotate constantly through the brewery’s traditional taps and its casks. You’ll feel extra special.
 


Tags: Beer
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
The Best Bookstores in Philadelphia & the Best Bars Near Them, Vol. 1

The Best Bookstores in Philadelphia & the Best Bars Near Them, Vol. 1

We've rounded up some of the best bookstores in Philadelphia and the perfect spot to grab a drink after with y...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Aug 20, 2025
These Philly Bartenders Are Prioritizing Health & Wellness Through Industry Tennis Club

These Philly Bartenders Are Prioritizing Health & Wellness Through "Industry Tennis Club"

On a spring morning, Fishtown's Court16 is packed with a group of bartenders and servers from Philadelphia's t...read more ›

by Alisha Miranda Aug 12, 2025
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Spirit Cruises January 2023 Desktop Bottom Rectangle 1
 Cocktails Quarterly: Best Bars to Drink in Philly, Summer 2025

Cocktails Quarterly: Best Bars to Drink in Philly, Summer 2025

Welcome to Cocktails Quarterly - Drink Philly's newest segment showcasing the best bars (new and old) where you should be getting a drink...read more ›

by Drink Philly Aug 5, 2025
Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Ed Lazzerini says his goal is clear - to make world class wine in Pennsylvania. From the taste of it, he is well on his way. ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Nov 21, 2020
Amá: Inside Look at Philly's Mexican Bar that Wants to Be More Than Just Margaritas

Amá: Inside Look at Philly's Mexican Bar that Wants to Be More Than Just Margaritas

Under the El on the corner of Front and Oxford is where you'll find this completely open-wall modern Mexican c...read more ›

by Drink Philly Jul 22, 2025
There's Now a Tiki Bar Overlooking the Delaware River in Philly

There's Now a Tiki Bar Overlooking the Delaware River in Philly

This summer Liberty Point welcomes River Tiki, a vibrant new 120-seat pop-up bar, to their upper level overlooking the waterfront...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Jul 1, 2025
Behind the Bar: Jesse Andreozzi (aka Mr. Zero Proof) of Phony Negroni

Behind the Bar: Jesse Andreozzi (aka Mr. Zero Proof) of Phony Negroni

Since going completely alcohol-free four years ago, Jesse has become the go-to expert in Philadelphia on all t...read more ›

by Drink Philly Jun 3, 2025
Best Tequila and Mezcal Bars in Philadelphia

Best Tequila and Mezcal Bars in Philadelphia

With hot summer weather right around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of the best spots in Philly to enjoy a huge variety of tequilas and mezca...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 29, 2025
Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2025

Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2025

We've got your definitive list of where to drink outside in Philadelphia...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 22, 2025
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close