Carlton Draught - Carlton & United Breweries, Ltd.

machalel

Australia

2.03/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Appearance: Poured a pale amber with a very weak head that disappeared almost immediately. Lacing down the glass was almost non-existent.

Aroma: Not a lot going on here. Smells like very faint 'beer', and no more specific than that.

Taste: Some pale malt and a bit of bitterness. A bit of grains in the background, but nothing that stand out.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation, low body, again... nothing that stands out.

Drinkability: Sure, you can drink it, but with many other options out there that are infinitely better, why bother?

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2013 02:14:30 | More by machalel

soju6

Missouri

2.15/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: Served a golden color with a small head that fades quickly to bits of lacing.

S: Aroma of sweet malt and coarse grain. Has a stale beer scent.

T: taste on malt sweetness with just a wee bit of citrus. Faint bitterness and a fairly clean finish.

F: Light body and fairly smooth. Not a lot to work with here.

O: Basic lager in an ocean of beer. Nothing to see here, move along.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2012 11:24:56 | More by soju6

heygeebee

Australia

1.35/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

On tap at local RSL.

Oh dear, the Carlton Draught vs VB taste-off.

It looks like beer and has a head and lace, but I can safely say I have never been assaulted by such an immediate hit of metal. Serious Metal on the tongue.

This beer has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Why do so many people drink it?

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 10:38:29 | More by heygeebee

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

1.75/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

On tap at Northcote Social Club. From notes.

A - Poured golden straw and bright. Medium carbonation, half finger of white soapy head and good lace with a film of retention.

S - Virtually nothing. Some corny grain.

T - Corny, grain, nasty flavours, We grain maybe. Vegetal, creamed corn. Not good.

M - Medium carbonation, light and watery body, lingering flavours of unpleasantness.

O/D - Beers with no flavour are far superior to this. No idea why people keep this guys in business by buying this in mass quantities. Brutal.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 05:31:01 | More by tbeckett

rowey77

Australia

3.6/5  rDev +71.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great sessionable beer on tap, dont care what anyone says this beer is easy to drink and great for a social drink. Have had many night where i can drink 10 - 20 pots of carlton draught without batting an eyelid, there arnt many better beers out there on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2010 23:14:33 | More by rowey77

ADZA

Australia

1.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Unfortunately for me when i went to my new local this was their best offering def time to get a new local,it pours a yellow,gold macro colour with hardly any smell maybe weak grains,and it basically tastes like grainy water would never buy this beer usually was just thirsty and like i said this was their best offering.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2009 08:41:09 | More by ADZA

Otterburn

Quebec (Canada)

2.53/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is a really average beer. But not that bad. The color is a bit amber, smells , nothing really to say and the taste is average.
I not taking note while I drankthose beer but , theres nothing to say about it. Its just a ordinary beer in Australia.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2009 08:09:29 | More by Otterburn

laituegonflable

Australia

1.43/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Pours a standard gold with fair amount of carbonation, virginal white head that retains well. Leaves a certain amount of lacing. Actually looks quite decent.

Strong pride of ringworm on the nose with a very carbolic edge. Nose is fairly simple, but it reminds me of my childhood impressions of beer. The ingredients are there but it doesn't smell good, rather like the Australian beer industry.

Ah, the taste. That's why I don't drink Carlton Draught. Awful. Maybe a slight hop character on the front, not much to it, and it's mostly just a chemical flavour with a corn sweetness rounding it off. The mid-palate is then subjugated by a thick, chunky, raw bread dough flavour which pervades everything.

Mouthfeel is thin but sticky and leaves a bubble of phlegm in my throat as it goes down. Seriously, this beer is a coagulate of bad yeast and bad hops and is truly repellent. Ultimately I can't say I expected anything less, though.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2009 23:50:38 | More by laituegonflable

xduderx

Tennessee

2.75/5  rDev +31%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I had tons of this stuff while visiting Australia. Not because it was what I wanted, but because it was often times the only option. I expected more out of an Australian beer honestly and this beer and VB are no better (and maybe worse) than various miller and AB products. That being said...

A = Not bad. Has a nice coppery color and good head. I was really expecting a lot out of this beer based on apperance.

S = Maybe a slight malty bread smell, but not very strong.

T = Average. very bready. reminded me of a miller product, kinda.

M = Thinner than expected and overly carbonated.

D = Never gave me a hangover, was cheap, and went down easily. Overall an average beer with nothing special to it but nothing completely horrible either.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 21:51:27 | More by xduderx

foles

Australia

1.78/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Hardly deserves to be called a beer. Usually looks ok in the glass because its widely consumed on tap and is relatively fresh. However it tastes like you have got a mouthful of the head and are waiting to get to the beer. However the taste doesnt change. Completely one dimensional and dry with no taste to speak of. Makes normally ordinary beers look pretty good. I would much rather have a swan draught or even a tooheys new when drinking in this league.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2008 04:38:01 | More by foles

vancurly

Australia

3.03/5  rDev +44.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Light amber in colour, low sudsy head. Plenty of CO2.
Aromas of metallic PoR. Reminds me of my youth... sun, sand, salt, and the smell or PoR...
Average Aussie macro. If you know what to expect, it's not bad compared to some others.
Medium bitterness, not much "body", but more than a dry beer. Refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2007 03:38:02 | More by vancurly

rec

Australia

2.53/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Near identical to the over-priced Crown Lager, it's bland and flat. It looks dissimilar to every other Australian session beer.

There's nothing stand-out in the taste department either. It's generally watery with a metalic aftertaste, but gets less noticable if you continue drinking.

I've drunk a lot of this beer in my time, and give it only credit due to its budget price and availability down-under - it is at least better than most other Australian beers in the same price range.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2007 09:57:38 | More by rec

btmo

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

2.93/5  rDev +39.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is one of Carlton's better beers. However, it appears that it doesn't travel well, it isn't too flash when poured from a can, but when it comes from the tap it is actually quite pleasant.

The flavour has a certain "nuttiness" that is nice, but as with all beers of this style (in my experience and opinion) if it ain't cold, it ain't worth the trouble.

If you find yourself in Melbourne, this *is* one to try. Don't expect great things, but it is a halfway decent Aussie macro.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2006 07:11:36 | More by btmo

DaveFL1976

Florida

2.68/5  rDev +27.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Carlton Draught
Stork Hotel, Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Sept 7 2005 @ 3:20pm

I think that in order to appreciate good, craft-brewed beer, you need to occasionally calibrate your palate to reacquaint yourself with the local macrobrew. Here, at the Stork Hotel, just meters from the suburb of Carlton, I’ll finally review Carlton Draught.
Carlton pours a dark straw colour, and the white head lasted a lot longer than I expected it to for such a macro. Now on to smell… this might not be the most objective smell review ever, as this is a smoky bar. As I put the beer to my nose, I only notice a cooler, smokey-scented air. I certainly can’t make out any malt or hop flavour, or any adjuncts, or anything, and the bar’s not THAT smoky, so I’m just leaving it that this is not a very nose-provoking beer.
Upon first introduction to your mouth, the taste is crisp and clean. But wait, there’s more. Next comes the metallic taste. I’m not sure how Carlton United does it, but they inevitably get the same taste in the beer. Being Australia and all, I’m surprised that they’d go to the trouble of importing pennies from the United States to throw into the fermentation tanks, but evidently that’s what they do. The aftertaste is not at all unlike the sensation of touching your fingers to your tongue after rifling through a pocketful of change. Anyways, mouthfeel isn’t that bad, and perhaps that’s why it sells so much. The beer is light, thirst-quenching, well carbonated and mostly drinkable. It’s that damn copper-oxide aftertaste that gets in the way. Maybe THAT’S why it sells so well: It’s not that bad while you’re drinking it, but as soon as you swallow you become cognizant of that patented CUB metallic aftertaste and need another sip to wash away the copper taste.
In my 9 months in Australia, I’ve drank plenty of Carlton, I’ve always thought it’s less-than-good, but somehow…maybe socially…I find myself coming back for more. God help me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2005 22:02:35 | More by DaveFL1976

koolk

Australia

1.58/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Dark golden colour with a light head and decent carbonation.

Smells of grains. Not much else.

There is a bit more going on palate wise but nothing to exciting. More of a bread taste than a grain taste with a touch of fruit/floral hops. Round mouthfeel with a little drying sensation at the end.

Nothing special, but good when hot. Ruins food.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2003 23:04:44 | More by koolk

diablo14

Australia

1.48/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

stoutbots really nailed the qualities of this beer. i can polish off one or maybe two of these at the footy simply coz i cant get anything better. that gives it a little bit of drinkability, but its still rubbish overall. i just think carlton smells and tastes like what should come out of your body cavities before, not after you drink it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2003 13:56:13 | More by diablo14

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

1.7/5  rDev -19%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

I reckon they filtered any resemblance of flavour out of this one, just a crappy non-eventful beer, its drinkable though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2002 03:18:51 | More by rastaman

Finite

Australia

1.68/5  rDev -20%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pale, high carbonation, soft drink like appearance.

Smells of faint off grain. Straw and little hops

Very dull and plain. No hop flavour to speak of asside from a dull and artificial bitterness. A straw like malt flavour which contributes little to the body of the beer.

avoid,

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 06:04:11 | More by Finite

CrazyDavros

Australia

2.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Golden amber pour, thing head.
Lots of grainy malt on the aroma, no noticeable hops (they probably use isohops...). Shows a distinct "old dirty pub" smell.
Sweet grainy malt upon tasting, some caramel. Not much else to say really! Seriously weak bitterness.
Not as watery as you'd expect for a mainstream cheap lager, but the carbonation is over the top, as per usual!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2009 10:27:14 | More by CrazyDavros

Macca

Australia

2.03/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This pours a golden colour. Clear. Not a lot of head to speak of and it disappeared quick. Looks dead.

I don't know how I can rate its aroma when it doesn't have one. Not even a bad one.

The lack of anything continues to the palate. A touch of malts perhaps.

Oh just so bland all round. Why do they bother? It is just an alcohol delivery device.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2009 08:47:53 | More by Macca

WHROO

Australia

1.5/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Drank from both a stubbie & from a jug on tap!
As in previous reviews...this is a typical example of a mass produced Aussie beer...although this definately has its own taste. Chemical, metallic, just tastes wrong for a beer. The only thing I liked about it was the lacing down the whole glass recording every unenjoyable mouthful.
Mouthfeel not too bad, just a little to carbonated - this is a more livey beer.
There is a new CUB limited batch of brew called Richmond Lager - not much better let me tell ya...although it doesn't have as much chemical stale taste, but would rate only a fraction higher - I will definately avoid both.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2008 06:56:54 | More by WHROO

LittleCreature

Australia

1.33/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Appearance - 2.5
Poured a finger of white head over a dark straw coloured body that looks to be moderately carbonated. The head reduced to a thin patchy layer quickly.

Smell - 1.5
Smells beery, kind of like old beer mats do. Once the head has disappeared, there is almost no smell, but what remains smells predominantly metallic, with some grains and a little hop aroma that isn't too bad.

Taste - 1.0
Wow, this is pretty much the definition of bland in beer. A little sugary sweetness upfront, with a very vague malt flavour, stale bread, a strong metallic flavour, and moderate hop bitterness in the dry finish. The aftertaste is strongly metallic. My first ever 1.0 for taste, because this truly does qualify as awful.

Mouthfeel - 1.5
The strong metallic twang seems to alter the mouthfeel also, as the beer feels somewhat filmy after it is held in the mouth for a while. Carbonation is low to moderate, and weight in the mouth is light to moderate.

Drinkability - 1.5
This was so close to being my first ever sink pour for a reviewed beer. Many use this as a session beer, and to be frank, the only thing this is good for is slamming down fast to get drunk.

OVERALL
The annoying thing is that Carlton Draught has really good commercials. Otherwise there is nothing worth even talking about here. Macro rubbish, and possibly the worst beer I have ever drank. The word swill sums Carlton Draught up pretty well.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2007 13:33:01 | More by LittleCreature

Kulrak

Australia

1.73/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a somewhat dark golden color with some crumbly white head that fades away pretty quickly, but laces all over the glass.. The smell, as far as I can tell, doesn't exist. My wife says it smells like lemonade with a beer can waved over it once. The taste is like soda water with a promise of cheap beer someday. There really is nothing to this beer. Oh wait, there's a chemical aftertaste developing. The mouthfeel is very watery and slightly fizzy. Overall, it's about as drinkable as every other CUB beer. It's beer for people that don't like beer. The most impressive part of the beer is the appearance, and even that isn't that great.

Serving type: can

05-28-2007 09:59:24 | More by Kulrak

BeerNutta

Australia

2.65/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

If you are in Australia this beer comes under the same banner as Victoria Bitter, Carlton Cold Etc... For all those who don't come from Australia.. This beer is basically cheap canon fodder.

A = Dark Amber

S = Bitter grass smell.

T = Chemical taste that then gets drowned out by bitterness.

M = Moderate carbonation. Bitter aftertaste is a bit unpleasant at times.

D = Cheap Canon fodder. Good at the footy.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2005 04:19:26 | More by BeerNutta

jarmby1711

Australia

2.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer is dark gold to red with a weak insipid head.
It has the characteristic CUB tinny water smell
It is mildly bitter in taste but little depth of character.
It is not to be recommended , however it is better "on tap", best suited to a quick 3 or 4 before the football

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2005 04:36:49 | More by jarmby1711