Shake This World Off My Shoulders
Carton Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canned on 1/4/2021 so less than a week old when reviewed. Poured into a pint glass. It pours a hazy tangerine color with brown hues and a thick, frothy, eggshell-colored head and thick, clinging lacing. On the nose there is lemon peel and some lite notes of melon, grass, and floral hops. The taste opens tart and bitter with lemon, grapefruit, and Carton's distinctive Kolsch yeast. The dry, crackery malt base adds depth to the citrus. There are distinct herbal, grassy notes. As the glass warms, I begin to taste melon - it's subtle at first but becomes more evident. I assume this sweetness comes from the HBC 342 and Sabro hops. The use of Chinook hops is very evident in the dry, bitterness throughout and particularly at the finish. It comes across as more bitter than 35 IBU. On the whole, the dry, tart bitterness dominates the tropical fruit sweetness but in a really good way as this ale is supposed to convey a Jersey attitude. The mouth feel is pleasing and the 7% ABV is a plus. A second pour is not an issue. Overall, I like this a lot. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And it has that distinctive Carton feel that's hard to explain but easy to identify.