This study investigates the application of a novel anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) configuration, incorporating support media for biomass immobilisation and biogas recirculation for improved mixing towards the anaerobic treatment of complex phenolic wastewater. Synthetic coal wastewater with an average phenolics and COD concentration of 752 and 2240 mg L-1 was used as substrate. Biogas recirculation was employed at four different rates of 11.25, 16.87, 25.30 and 37.95 L d(-1) for 100 days. Phenolics and COD removal improved with increase in biogas recirculation. After 120 days of continuous operation, the results revealed that a high amount (14.0 g VSS) of biomass was able to attach itself to the support medium. The investigated AHR configuration achieved phenolics and COD removal efficiencies of 95% and 92% respectively at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 0.33 d. The corresponding average methane production obtained in this study was 0.02 mol methane g(-1) COD. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.