Carton Brewing (December 2016)

You have to check out the shows. It's like "I'd drink this at beach with some BBQ." "I'd drink this while watching football on a Sunday." Food pairing, events, etc... The episodes when they were at other half are hilarious.

 

They're just trying to further the idea that every beer has a place and time, and without knowing what it is, it's easier to see where you could enjoy that beer in your life without any preconceptions based on brewer or style. It's really a great listen, if you've got a decent commute it fills the just-under-an-hour trip very well.

 

It takes all the pretentiousness out of beer and I love it. This show has reminded me to go back and revisit tons of shelf beers. Point is there is a beer for every situation so stop complaining that it's not juicy enough, not turbid enough, not... you get the idea. Another thing to love about carton.

 

Basically - except replace weed with beer and that's what it is - they are just enjoying beer and talking to people about beer. it is educational in that you get to learn about different brewers etc. and learn a bit about tasting.

 

I do have to check it out because as described it actually sounds super pretentious. And I love talking about beer.

 

I listen fairly regularly. The podcast is in Google play music as well as iTunes. It is interesting and informative.

They have a weekly guest along with Augie and John Holl. The guest brings beers that are given out in blind tasting glasses where can't even see the color. They taste and talk about the Beers (2 per episode), what they are getting on the nose and taste, what style it might be and then before the reveal they come up with a line as to where, when and with whom they would see themselves drinking that beer. They also chat with the guest about their business, and I find most interesting the things Augie reveals about why carton does things the way they do. But they try and stay on track, get through the two beers, and then they do one or two emails from listeners, where Augie, John and the guests give their thoughts on the email topic.

My only criticism is that the conversations are relatively free-form so sometimes they go off the rails and I find it hit or miss on occasion. Also sometimes they record back to back and the guys get drunker and it falls off a bit. But overall worth a listen, just give it an episode or two. If you follow and like the conversations on these threads you will probably like the pod. Also one time someone brought boat and Augie thought it was a stout.

 

I love this podcast too. Great under an hour listen and perfect for my drive to Carton which is about 40 minutes away. I agree with j5 it can definitely be hit or miss and can do without John Holl though. He's kind of annoying and doesn't really bring anything interesting to the podcast. I like when augie and a guest, specifically someone from another brewery, just get going and get a good conversation and back and forth going. And I could listen to them opine on the mystery beer in the black glass for a long time. Good pod

 

love the podcast talk, i listen to episodes while i work often, fun stuff

 

Just had a cosmonaut, and damn that shit is tasting delicious right now. Augie was right- bitterness not as prominent as it was back in March, which is allowing the ice cream to shine. I get a lot of vanilla, not as much strawberry, but some, and then that acrid, roasty bitterness comes in at the end. Very dry finish. I liked it fresh, but it's really singing now. Perfect balance between sweet and roast and bitter, as the adjuncts have melded beautifully with the base beer. If you still have some, put one in your fridge for Sunday night's unwind. You can thank me later.

 

Also one time someone brought boat and Augie thought it was a stout.
ummm that never happened, otherwise i am ok with everything else

 

@augiecarton thanks for the heads up to contact our state Senators to support Senate Bill 1334 (brew sales at farmer's markets). Why do you target Senator Whelan in particular? Is he in opposition. I know he's not our State Senator in Atlantic Highlands.

 

in all candor i am acting as a conduit for and in support of the guild on this one. i am not very into that bill in particular beyond wanting some of jersey's more draconian franchise laws fixed because... well.., i love the state and take issue with laws holding back innovation. the guild feels its important and i am happy to help them spread their word on it.
there are 2 reasons to do as it says:
1 you'd like to see brewers allowed at farm markets like wineries are
2 you'd like to see all laws in jersey get more fair for small business and consider all steps in that direction good ones.
it takes a a minute or two can't think of a reason not to do it.

 

Yeah I'm all for it, and quite frankly I think it might be a great opportunity for nanos to hone their craft rather than diving in head first with huge investments. As an established brewery it's probably not great for you, but it's awesome that you're supporting smaller less established guys. I was just curious why Whelan would be the contact rather than my local State Senator (I'll reach out to both). Wasn't one of these bills also supposed to allow some sort of 3rd party on premise food at breweries as well?

 

there are many brewery bills going on right now. the ones i care most about would let me serve food flavors with my beer flavors, so a third party deal doesn't accomplish much for me, but again laws that, like the one above that have little to do with us, that encourage craft culture and innovation will always have our support. whats happened with one law change since we opened is great, i'd love to see more
i am not claiming this is a good or bad article but it is an article that claims to talk about the bills

 

Breweries being allowed to serve food would obviously be better for consumers (and safer), and the breweries themselves. I'm sure the hang up is with guys who paid god knows what for NJ liquor licenses to have brewpubs getting them devalued by that measure.

 

the longer you live in NJ (and america, and earth for that matter) you will find that preserving franchise laws and rent seeking is what holds many of our businesses back, this is just more of that. its not booze industry specific

 

I just had a Ron's Steam Bock Haircut. I like it better with some age in it. First can was okay, fourth can is pretty damn great.

 

Gilded Lily cans out today.

 

Strangest beer but I loved it. I'm sure it'll last awhile due to the big price tag. Just need to get down there. Maybe Sunday or next week.

 

My recollection is that Gilded Lily and Decoy were out around the same time. As the weather turns cold, I would love some Decoy.