Abstract: A folding carton is disclosed which has particular utility for carrying beverage bottles, such as returnable beer bottles. The carton structure includes a rectangular bottom wall, upstanding front, side and rear walls being positioned perpendicular to the bottom wall, a rectangular top wall of lesser length and width dimensions than the bottom wall and trapezoidal connecting walls extending downwardly from the top wall, with the rear trapezoidal wall being hingedly affixed to the upstanding rear wall, resulting in a carton structure designed to closely confine the bottles. The carton may be end-loaded and top-unloaded, with the front and side trapezoidal walls having opening panels at their juncture with the side and front walls. In a preferred embodiment, the side opening panels act as reinforcing means for openings forming a portion of the side walls and used as carrying handles.