New Belgium Red Hoptober

Jeff was down in North Carolina recently and got to try a few new-to-him beers.

One was New Belgium's seasonal Red Hoptober.

The brewery's website says the beer uses Eldorado hops and has a distinct, piney flavour with a caramel malt.

"Kind of strange," Jeff said of the beer. "Roasty and citrus hoppiness ... but something else in there, too. Not sure what - not something I can place in other beers."

He admitted, "I don't love it, but it's interesting."

Maybe the odd flavour was fig? The website notes the flavour includes sweet fig, tropical fruit, toffee, roasted nuts and hoppy bitterness.