Carton Brewing (2019)

Gary's in Madison, one of my locals, definitely gets all the Carton distro. Bottle King usually does as well.

 

Where is Bottle King?

anything else you recommend in the area?

Does Gary's just throw limited stuff out or is there a "secret password" like I have heard of some places up north

 

The password is...... nipple

 

Bottle King I frequent is in Chatham, just up the street from Twin Elephant. I believe there is one in Morris Plains, which should be closer to Morristown, but I haven't been to it.

Gary's put's most stuff out, usually all the Carton is out unless is just came in.. usually stuff like Icarus is in back since they get like 1-2 cases and limit to 2 cans pp. Always pays to ask though if you don't see it. No secret passwords. More tied to limited space I think.

 

I still think it’s weird that Icarus is kept back with limits and/or flies out the store. One beer guy told me people chase the truck to clean them out. I mean, I like Icarus but it ain’t all that.

 

totally agree. I find it pretty meh most of the time. but they get points for fast, and very wide distribution which is pretty impressive. That model alone and the resulting scarcity drives much of the hype.

 

I know Bottle King puts their stuff right in the beer fridge, and they get most of the releases from solid NJ craft breweries. Their is usually no limit either on how much you can buy. Sometimes I have to ask only because they may have just got it in and just didn't get a chance to put it out yet. I follow them on Instagram, as they are pretty good with posting new items that they receive.

 

Thank's for the insight.

Pretty crazy that Icarus is left in the back. I have buddy down in Brick that goes there often to pick up; so luckly if i need ill have him store for me. I guess because Icarus is still scaling it is popular up north. i would assume once TE starts to can and distribute if ever it will be the same

 

I live in the area and the most reliable "Carton getters" are Shop Rite Liquors in Chester and Liquor Outlet in Boonton. I find Garys to be a little too cute with their beers, you know, hiding beer in the back for the preferred customers, etc.. Anyway, welcome to the neighborhood!

 

those are a bit far for me, but prob good options from Morristown... Gary's doesn't put everything out, but not being sneaky IMO... they have a text list that blasts new beers as they come in, and similarly have an insta feed with new beers as they arrive, so you know to ask for them at least.

 

The Gary’s in bernardsville is close as well and I think has better selection than Madison including 3 Kane core cans. Pretty much every carton release I have seen there. Stuff may start in the back when it comes in but if you ask they are happy to show you and eventually filters out front

 

Having some Red Rye Returning, really good stuff, but didn't this beer used to be 5.3% ABV instead of 6.5% ABV?

 

I think that's Hopun that's 5.3?

 

The image of the can here on BA has 5.3. I think this year's version is actually better.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26817/79826/

 

that image has been put in for a change, waiting on BA to process. it was originally 6.5 then we did a 5.3 and now it is back

 

while on the subject of ABV, wasn't tangled up 7% abv last year? the 3.9% version is still delicious but i am remembering a bit more of a buzz after drinking a couple. it seems like the idea is to standardize a lower ABV across all the "highlander weiss" beers (e.g. tangled up, monkey, larry, ewr-mia all seem to have the same ABV)?

 

It’s so different I thought you were wrong but it’s a can I saved cause of the awesome Dylan art that’s on there great picture to go with the song and the beer. And yes you are right it was 7%. That is a huge difference, crazy.

 

I think bringing Tangled Up down to 3.9% was the best thing they could do. I was kind of disappointed at the higher ABV the first go around. They pack so much flavor into the Highlander Weisse beers at the lower ABV, that I don't see a need to bump it up.

 

7 was the idea but the cleaner "all about simple pleasing acidity" profile of the highlander series didn't show as brightly as i like at that ABV, so we got it inline with it's family. Context 1 is the bigger version, it gets the fouder time, and a couple brett strains, in order to give it the wrinkles it needs to be sexy at that ABV.
look out for Andres its on the way next in the highlander chute and it is delightful.

 

If anyone sees harvest Idaho 7 around in south jersey could you please drop a line here. I’ll do the same if I find it as well. Look forward to harvest every year and didn’t want to miss it. Thanks in advance, though I’m guessing distro may not show up till next week I guess.