Carton Brewing (November 2016)

...and there's the Epitome update.

 

Good thing Im just sitting here.

 

Epitome usually sell out the day/weekend of? Might try and get down there next weekend

 

lasted a couple weeks last year I believe

 

Yup. This is how i remember it too. But not sure if the serious collection of can options (six currently) will increase the crowds or not.

 

Just left. No crowd and tons of cans.

 

Yea, I dont see any danger of it selling out. Carton is really great with keeping cans in stock. Most last in the tap room for at least 2 weeks. If I had to guess more options means people spread their haul out rather than maxing on one or two beers.

 

WF Paramus had it $16/4pack 1pp. I picked up the last one in the cooler. Dunno if they're hiding more in the back. Dealing with that shopping center on BF was a shitshow.

 

Just left Carton, plenty of Epitome left. Great tasting room too! Couldn't have been more impressed by my first visit.

 

First time to Carton...in and out in 5 mins. I was planning to pick up SOH but pleasantly surprised to stumble on Epitome, which I wound up getting instead! Also grabbed some 007-xx. Will definitely stick around for tour and tasting next time...unfortunately was in a rush today. Looks like plenty of Epitome left...

 

Why not get both???

 

Fridge is way overstocked already...sometimes have to make tough decisions.

 

I understand. You should see the garage floor next to my beer fridge after yesterday's Carton haul. At least it's cold in there.

 

Interesting to hear all this talk of them brewing at Two Roads , I thought their big deal about why they couldn't move from Atlantic Highlands and all that was because they believed that the local water there made their beers what it is today. Since I doubt they would be transporting truckloads of the local NJ tap water to CT that seems very odd to me. (ps before you tear my head off I don't know much about brew science or if they actually are bringing the local stuff to CT) Just the first two cents that popped into my head when I read the thread.

 

I thought I was overstocked as well, with four carton cases, about a dozen kane head high and overhead cans, and a sixtel if a winter warmer in the kegerator, hut after ten days I feel like I could us a restock

 

Decoy - probably the best of the cans I consumed this week(end). Still had loads of dark fruit with a pleasant (as opposed to astringent) alcohol warmth to it.

IDIPA - has lost some of its hop backbone but is by no means undrinkable. It's still smooth with mild citrus presence. While I found the dankness moderately faded, a buddy of mine knocked back multiple cans and loved both the aroma and taste.

Regular Coffee - I haven't had since maybe April or May but IMHO it's holding up really well, especially if you are craving sweetness. Still terrifyingly, dangerously crushable for a 12%-er.

Cafe Y Churro - Still sweet and creamy (as is Regular Coffee) and delicious. I got more vanilla pastry than cinnamon so while it might be falling off slightly it's still very drinkable.

Dune Fruit - Tilted from a perfect blend of sweet/sour every so slightly towards the sour end of the spectrum. I was happy with it, as I love sours.

Gilded Lily - I have a can sitting next to me at the moment. It is the biggest bummer so far. I was hoping to be greeted with a blast of delightful pungent truffle aroma upon cracking the can but at this point it's gone. If you like the malty Belgian tripel style you'll be pleased, but if you're a truffle geek at this point it's presence is barely there.

These notes are based on cans that have been stored in a fridge since their release. Your mileage may vary.

 

I'm not the biggest stout or Black Ale guy, but god damn Epitome is excellent

 

Decoy was an awesome beer . I wish I still had a can.
I still have some reg coffee. I have to drink that soon.

 

School of Hops is an incredible beer. More than just the flavor profile. This beer captures a slice of time: Studio One or the Loop Lounge in the early 90s. The taste of Aqua-Net.and cherry lipstick in this beer just captures an era so spot on.

 

Thanks for the notes. I have a decent number of older Carton cans that I've been sitting on, including all of the above. Had been holding on to one last Lily. Bummed to hear that it fell off but I guess I'm not surprised as I'd view the truffle flavors like I would hops and other adjuncts - the first thing to fall off. Maybe I'll fare better. Still also sitting on:

All Orange Everything
Cosmonaut
Irish Coffee
Ron's Steam Bock Haircut
S.S. Yirgacheffe
S.S. CREAM
Monkey Chased The Weasel

I've been doing much better at consuming my cans fresh, but sometimes some fall by the wayside as I buy new stuff.