1st Oct 2016; cask pint in The Haygate, Wellington Shropshire. Re-badged as Red October for the month long ’1st Wellington wide Oktoberfest’ (ten pubs, 9 breweries taking part). Ruby hue to the mahogany coloured body, the head an off-white affair that had a creamy texture. Malts just about rule over the hop content in the nose and taste, slight woody flavour in the semi-bitter finish.

Bottle from Tanners, Shrewsbury. Appearance - deep amber to red with a decent head. Nose - earthy, a bit undergrowth but with some strawberry fruit coming through. Taste - astringent dry biscuits, strawberries again but dominated by the dryness overall. Medicinal at the back. Palate - light to medium bodied with a creamy yet crunchy texture and a finish that could be fresher. Overall - a bit hard work. I’d expect more fruity hops in a beer described as a red ipa.