Hippodrome
Urban Artifact

 

 

 

Still not convinced they understand what the "wild" is supposed to mean. This is, first of all, a super-malty East Coast DIPA - tastes like what was in vogue a decade or two ago. Second of all, any sour that's here is muted. Also, UA could definitely stand to get a little more earthy, rather than sharp, sour in their repertoire.

 

A wild IIPA from Urban Artifact - a brewery I discovered at Friday Night Flights in Florence, KY a few months ago that I am quite excited about. Poured from a bottle into an Urban Artifact Thoroughbred tulip. The pour is dark gold in color, a little hazy, and sports an impressive 3-finger bloom with very good retention for such a funky beer. The nose is quite musty with herbal aromas of lavendar, sage, a little lemon, and the unmistakable smell of brett.

Medium-light body with a delicate feel and a dry, complex flavor that follows the nose. Dry soda crackers up front, then lemon, tea leaves, and a gentle pinch of hops. The hops introduce bitterness that intensifies towards the back of the palate, but doesn't ever become too aggressive. No alcohol or booziness at all. If there is any alcoholic presence, it provides nothing more than a balancing sweetness.

A dry, funky, refreshing, bretty beer with a soft, citrusy bitterness that drinks like a nice Saison. I think this beer would be better if they ramped up the hops a little bit and gave it a little more of a tropical character (like Prairie Hop or Prairie Gold). I had this beer with sushi and I thought it complemented it quite well.

 

 

 

Deep apricot color-huge white head-awesome sticky lacing. Big brett and faint hops in the nose. Hops and sweet malts with a strong funky Brett presence. Prickly medium mouthfeel.

I love Brett beers so I am bias. This reminds me of a sweeter Rayon Vert. Love the Brett and the uniqueness of this offering. Well made and recommend.

 

 

 

What a beautiful obscure quirky beer. In short this beer is very much an American IPA and funky wild ale hybrid. Nose is super funky with Brett everywhere. It's hard to get past the Brett but it's very complex with a sweet caramel malt backbone and a juicy grapefruit hop overtone with a hint of pine. Taste is similar to nose with a crazy complex balance that isn't as aggressive as the nose. Mouthfeel is medium carbonation with a super smooth juicy caramel malt and bready what backbone.