Michael Politz | Correspondent

COURTESY OF CARTON BREWING COMPANY

Michael Politz/Correspondent

As a child, my father used to take me fishing in the Atlantic Highlands.

It was a Sunday ritual — we would get up early, eat breakfast at a local diner and then embark on our trip to sea. We would always come back with a bounty of some of the best fish that New Jersey has to offer.

But now, I head to Atlantic Highlands for a more purposeful excursion — an excursion to find the best beer in the New Jersey.

Washington Avenue in the Highlands is a quaint Shore street. Filled with residential homes and a school, it wouldn’t take much to just walk by the Carton Brewing Company and never think twice.

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PHOTOS: Carton Brewing serves up N.J.'s best

There is no big sign labeling it as brewery nor are there signs directing you there. So, how do you spot this hidden gem? Look for the building that resembles a firehouse. Light red bricks and big garage bay give way to the Highlands secret — a brewery hidden in plain sight, only labeled by a small sign on the door.

Once you step inside, you can get a quick tour of the brewery in which you're able to view the brewing process as well as check out some of the aging barrels along with the bags of hops and kegs. Upstairs, you can check out the tasting room.

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The tasting room reminded me of a frat house; signs everywhere along with various articles of clothing for sale strewn about the walls. On one side is the bar, where you can taste what Carton Brewing has to offer.

Michael Politz/Correspondent

For $5, the personable bartenders will offer you a 4-ounce sample of Boat Beer, Carton Brewing's flagship beer, along with four poker chips which you hand in as you taste four beers of your choice.

I tasted the 077XX, a West Coast IPA that accents the hops and malt to the extreme with a balanced sophistication. This is one of my top beer choices for hops lovers and I think one of the best beers this brewery has to offer.

Another beer I tasted was the EGOIPA, a very dank double IPA made up of multiple hops, malts and yeasts. This shouldn’t be missed — it will set your taste buds aback with a punch to your palate.

Jenna Intersimone/Staff Photo

Some of the others that I tried were the Carton Canyon, an adjunct lager that is easy to drink with a minimal number of hops and malt, and the Rabaska, a 6 percent ABV cream ale that is easy to drink and pleasant on the palate.

There are tons of beers to try at Carton, but the best part is that you can take your favorites home because packaged goods are sold to go. All of the beers come in 16-ounce aluminum cans, and souvenirs can be purchased as well, such as T-shirts, pint glasses and more.

A visit to Carton Brewing made me wonder if Carton could be the best brewery in the state. Decide for yourself and head to the Atlantic Highlands and taste what makes New Jersey special.

Jenna Intersimone/Staff Photo

Carton Brewing

Where: 6 E Washington Ave., Atlantic Highlands

Phone: 732-654-2337

Got a beer, wine or spirit tidbit to share? Email me at mpolitz123@gmail.com.

Jenna Intersimone/Staff Photo