Calliope
Urban Artifact

16 ounce can, stamp on the bottom of the can says canned on 08/25/23, part of the April 2024 Small Batch Society release (says April 2024 on the label). Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a somewhat hazy dark gold color with about a half inch or so off-white head that stayed around a little while. Good amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like earthiness, piney/floral hops, grapefruit, bready malt and a bit of funk. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some lemony citrus and tropical fruit flavors. Has more of a tart kick than the aroma led me to think it would be, not that it's a complaint. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and coating with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this one, it's a nice spin on a fresh hop ale. Maybe more sour than IPA, but certainly worth a try if you like sour ales and Urban Artifact's other brews in general.

Slightly foggy burnt amber with a moderate khaki foam head that retains quite well for an Urban Artifact brew, settling to a lumpy blanket that persists throughout the entire session.

Smell is a little astringent and piney, metallic and grapefruity, while taste is slightly tart, and less astringent, adding a touch of toffee malt. It's a little grassy and tea-like with accents of herbal lemon verbena and a touch of floral hops amidst faint caramel notes.

This is a unique brew, like nothing I've had. Its medium-light body has an airy froth that persists before its semi-dry, gullet warming swallow brings out a clovey brett exhale.

POUR: On draft into a tulip glass. Enjoyed at Pies and Pints in Cincinnati, OH. APPEARANCE: Dark amber in color with a cloudy look. Very slight off-white head. Slight to non-existent glass lacing. AROMA: Somewhat yeasty. Berry-like. Has some malt elements as well. TASTE: Slightly sour with more of a quad like flavor profile. Definitely less sour than I expected. AFTERTASTE: Finishes somewhat clean. Deep berries compliment the aftertaste. Yeasty and malty elements also show up on the backend. NOTE: Not much of a sour. To me, has more similarities to a Belgian style ale. REVIEW/ RATING: Okay/ 2 out of 5.

Definitely the best of their sours. Starting to move into the Flanders Red style and getting a little more nuance in the profile of their beer. That said, it's a weak Flanders Red, and doesn't stand up to just about any of the flagship beers of this style. Thin, without as much sharp balsalmic vinegar as warranted, and still subdued in its our profile. Nonetheless, better than their other offerings at our visit.