Carton Brewing (April 2017)

That's good stuff, if you like black IPAs, which I do.

 

One of the better black IPAs Ive had too

 

It doesn't quite dethrone Epitome, but that's ok.

 

I love Epitome so I am up for it.

 

Real question: Is Epitome the benchmark for Black IPA's for some of you?

I think it's up there for me, but I may have one or two others competing for that spot.

 

Are you asking if Epitome is the epitome of black IPAs? If so, my answer is...probably not but it's up there.

 

Not a big deal but anyone else notice no dates on recently distro boat cans? Second 4 pack this week with no dates. I know they are fresh and came in this week

 

I actually didn't notice as my wife drank the 4 pack I bought on Wednesday in one night. In her defense we're on vacation.

 

I have yet to find a better, of course taste is subjective. Any recommendations are welcome!

 

I love Epitome, but lack of availability means I usually have to search elsewhere. And that's fine because I'm not always in the mood for a Black IPA, but I find that there's a surprising lack of breweries that can nail this style. Industrial Arts has a REALLY good Black IPA (Hard Hat). 902 Brewing's (Black Dynomite) is okay. Gonna go try Demented Brewing's today.

Just not a lot of breweries in New Jersey taking a chance on making a good one, so I usually jump all over those Epitome cans in a seductive and passionate manner once it comes out.

 

Probably my all time favorite was Stone's 15th anniversary Escondidian black ipa. They'd did bring it back this past year when they were rereleasing a lot of their past beers. I may also hit up Demented today to try their coffee black IPA.

 

My all time favorite is Yakima Glory from Victory. There have been a few that have come close to its depth of flavor, including Epitome, but that is still number 1 on my list.

 

Damn I forgot about that one! That was great! Don't know why Victory stopped making it.

 

other half doug drinks pretty good.

school of hops, while not a "black ipa", i loved and somewhat fits the style?

 

The Black IPA style is just not as popular as it once was. All About Beer just had an article on the subject titled "Are Dark Days Ahead For Black IPAs". Quick article, but good read. Odd because the article cites a decline in the style, but the breweries that still produce them have success.

I also think brewers are making similar beers without calling them black IPAs in an effort to get away from calling every beer some form of IPA, such as Beelzebub from the Alchemist.

 

And not to hijack the Carton thread into the Black IPA Appreciation Thread, but picked up Black Moon from Rock Art on a recent VT trip. Outstanding example.

 

Probably why Firestone discontinued Wookey Jack

 

I'm not sure what style School of Hops fits into. I really liked that one.

 

I picked up some Alterego today. It's really good! I'm not sure it's quite up to Epitome but still really good. And I agree with you about Hard Hat. I was pleasantly surprised with that one. This is a style that's really grown on me. It had a bottle of Short's Goodnight Bodacious earlier this week and it was really good, as well.

 

I just drank a can of Apollo and I have to say, I'm blown away! Heretofore, my favorite Dubviants were Mosaic and Nelson but Apollo may have surpassed them. Number one, it seemed fruitier and less biting; and number two, it was amazingly drinkable. I drank the first can in record time. I'll admit: I went to Carton today primarily for the Alterego. I should have bought more Apollo. I hope it last till later this week!