On the Edge of Town
Carton Brewing Company

Canned 3/20/25

I’ve drank my way through most of this 4 pack of Black IPA from my last trip to Carton and I’m finally getting around to reviewing it. While it’s not my favorite take on the style it’s still quite good. Let’s crack it open and give it a proper analysis

Pours almost completely pitch black with 3 fingers of creamy light tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing

The nose presents a nice balance of roasty malt and bright hops. I’m picking up on aromas of walnut shell, earthy hops, cacao nib, black pepper, dark roast coffee, burnt toast, black cherry, orange zest, and light grass

It’s not as bitter as I’d like but there’s still a nice bite to it on the back end. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting cacao nib, black cherry, molasses, burnt orange, leafy hops, medium roast coffee, dark toast, and light black pepper. The swallow brings notes of burnt orange, burnt sugar, molasses, cherry pit, dark roast coffee, leafy hops, dark toast, black tea, and black pepper

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a crisp beer. Finishes bone dry and refreshing

This is damn solid all around. I wish I could get more Carton around me aside from their core offerings

(16 oz can, journey began 03/20/25; purchased cold 4-pack at their taproom last week... poured into a Carton mug)

L: silty, unfiltered lack of clarity; medium-dark brown, diluted muck... thick, spongy foam; dimpled, rocky with more top-ups; fantastic appearance, but only a few thick streaks of lace

S: rosemary and orange peel??; bit of charred sugars, tangy acidity... more 'Alpine' (word of the day) on the nose as it goes

T: dirty, ashy-earthy, charred citrus, peppered greens... dark chocolate milk... touch of bitter-er amaro, w/o the underlying syrup, though still ripe with burnt sugar ends... med-dark coffee, nip of menthol... coffee dosed with a 'dry' amaro

F: silky, a touch greasy... flamed at the back of the palate by booze... not remotely viscous or leggy upon the palate floor... mild inflammation back of nostrils

O: looking at grain ingredients listed on the can, this is a hazy black IPA... this is my 2nd or 3rd one from the haul and I'm not pleased with how mucky it looks, but its taste is bold enough and stylistically close to the mark to entice debaucherous devotion (2419)

Canned on 3/20/2025 so three weeks old when reviewed. Poured into a Carton IPA glass. Its color is deep mahogany with dark cola hues and it sports a large, fluffy, light khaki head and lots of thick, clinging lacing. The nose is malty with whiffs of citrus and earthy char. Very tasty! It opens with notes of roasty dark chocolate, freshly-brewed coffee, and caramel balanced by a sharp, peppery bitterness. The grist includes oat malt and flaked oats which add sweetness and texture. As it warms there are hints of tropical and stone fruits. It has great depth of flavor. The mouth feel is fairly lite and crisp and it drinks easily at 7% ABV. Although it shares the style with Epitome (my all time favorite Black IPA), On the Edge of Town is a very different ale. It's maltier, sweeter, and much more quaffable. It is also a very approachable Black IPA for someone new to this wonderful style.