Don't Panic
Carton Brewing Company
- From:
- Carton Brewing Company
- New Jersey, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #90 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #27,819 - Avg:
- 3.74 | pDev: 10.43%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 18, 2025
- Added:
- Apr 16, 2014
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
It's born of us being presented an experimental hop (#06300) by hopsteiner that among other things smelled like a cup of earl grey so we went home and built an ESB around it and touched it with bergamot to add to that tea notion. We only do it in casks because that just seemed right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ku373xUgnI&list=UUnN44_ILc3y0x6WbvjLR1Kg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ku373xUgnI&list=UUnN44_ILc3y0x6WbvjLR1Kg
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.06/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Canned 1/15/25
Carton isn’t only good at out there takes on old and bold styles, but they make a damn solid line of classics and this ESB is no different. Just like the Black IPA I reviewed from them last week this is the last I have remaining from my 4 pack, and thus the last of the Carton I have in the house. I think a Carton stop might be in order when I go to Jersey on Saturday. Let’s dive right in
Pours a mostly clear deep orange with 2 fingers of soapy beige head that quickly fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose is gentle but there’s a nice bite to it. I’m picking up on aromas of orange zest, breakfast tea, mint, brown bread, toffee, golden raisin, wildflower honey, walnut, and light cranberry
It’s a even gentler in taste which actually works against it a bit, I quite enjoy the tannic bitterness suggested by the aroma. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting broad bread, toffee, honey, cocoa powder, leather, light black tea, and orange zest. The swallow brings notes of book leather, toffee, bergamot, black tea, burnt toast, golden raisin, and light honey
A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes mostly dry and refreshing
This is a damn good ESB. It would be at another level if the taste could keep up with the nose but I dig it either way
Jun 18, 2025Carton isn’t only good at out there takes on old and bold styles, but they make a damn solid line of classics and this ESB is no different. Just like the Black IPA I reviewed from them last week this is the last I have remaining from my 4 pack, and thus the last of the Carton I have in the house. I think a Carton stop might be in order when I go to Jersey on Saturday. Let’s dive right in
Pours a mostly clear deep orange with 2 fingers of soapy beige head that quickly fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose is gentle but there’s a nice bite to it. I’m picking up on aromas of orange zest, breakfast tea, mint, brown bread, toffee, golden raisin, wildflower honey, walnut, and light cranberry
It’s a even gentler in taste which actually works against it a bit, I quite enjoy the tannic bitterness suggested by the aroma. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting broad bread, toffee, honey, cocoa powder, leather, light black tea, and orange zest. The swallow brings notes of book leather, toffee, bergamot, black tea, burnt toast, golden raisin, and light honey
A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes mostly dry and refreshing
This is a damn good ESB. It would be at another level if the taste could keep up with the nose but I dig it either way
Reviewed by BBThunderbolt from Kiribati
3.52/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.52/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to Jonphisher for this one. 16oz can (dated 11/10/21) poured into 12oz tulip. Poured a cloudy dark brown color with 2inches of light tan head that had very good retention and light-moderate lacing.
A slightly fruity and tea-like scent was at the front of the aroma. Behind that were soft base grains and a slight touch of yeast.
Very similar on the tongue, a very fruit-forward aspect, a touch of spice, and soft, earthy grains.
The body was very smooth, gliding across the palate, had good carb, and a semi-sweet finish.
Drinkability was very good, this would be an easy and enjoyable brew to have a session with.
Overall, a nice brew, interesting and a bit different. Certainly worth a shot if you see it.
Dec 05, 2021A slightly fruity and tea-like scent was at the front of the aroma. Behind that were soft base grains and a slight touch of yeast.
Very similar on the tongue, a very fruit-forward aspect, a touch of spice, and soft, earthy grains.
The body was very smooth, gliding across the palate, had good carb, and a semi-sweet finish.
Drinkability was very good, this would be an easy and enjoyable brew to have a session with.
Overall, a nice brew, interesting and a bit different. Certainly worth a shot if you see it.
Reviewed by Act25 from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Served on cask at Carton's tasting room.
2nd time on Cask.... Just as good. 1-3-16 (Gotta get used to writing that date.
3rd time. Carton got the cask going again first time post-Covid. Sampled full pour along with Kolsch.
A: Pours a clear bronze into a tulip at room temp. Thick head lasts and laces.
S: Bergomot! You can smell just Enough. Cross between Earl Grey and gun powder.
T: Follows smell, but more so. Unique, complex. Would try another. Caramel, biscuity like most ESBs but smoother, less cloying. I like it.
MF: Great finish. Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy.
Another style - ESB - that is one notch above most US brewers AND with an original flavor tweak.
That seems to be Carton signature.
Jun 09, 20142nd time on Cask.... Just as good. 1-3-16 (Gotta get used to writing that date.
3rd time. Carton got the cask going again first time post-Covid. Sampled full pour along with Kolsch.
A: Pours a clear bronze into a tulip at room temp. Thick head lasts and laces.
S: Bergomot! You can smell just Enough. Cross between Earl Grey and gun powder.
T: Follows smell, but more so. Unique, complex. Would try another. Caramel, biscuity like most ESBs but smoother, less cloying. I like it.
MF: Great finish. Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy.
Another style - ESB - that is one notch above most US brewers AND with an original flavor tweak.
That seems to be Carton signature.
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