Squeezebox - Strawberry Shortcake
Urban Artifact

Remember the kid in us that found the candied fruity sourness to be truly irresistible. Well, that kid is still alive and well in all of us and we didn't even know it. That is, until these fruity sour ales hit the scene.

Muddy pink and with a slight tinge of rust, Urban Artifact's Strawberry Squeezebox carries a heavily silted haze with a clumping sense of fruit puree settling out. A short-lived froth carries a vine-ripened strawberry scent in its true essence with a backdrop of creaminess, wine, cider and musk. Candied sweetness greets the tongue with the sensations of fruit rollups, taffy, strawberry glaze and shortcake.

While the vanilla adds enough of a milk presence, the overall taste of strawberry shortcake is quickly cut by the brisk acidity that soon replaces the grain sugars, shifting the session from cereal to sour. All-things-red berries allow impressions of cranberry, currant and raspberry to be found while the acidity brings its own fruitiness of green apple, lime, lemon, sour grape and gooseberry. A late taste of fruity tartness adds a peppery pectin bite for added balance against any sugars that linger behind.

Winey, cidery and all strawberry, the beer finishes fruity-sweet and with a medium short linger of citrus and cider that gives the beer a crisp, clean and refreshing presence although the glass laces with pulp puree and elevated sediment. They should serve this with a toothpick.

16 ounce can, canned on 03/19/2020. Served in a chalice, the beer pours a cloudy pinkish/orange/peach color with about a half inch off-white head that fizzled away quickly. Not much lacing. The beer smells like a strawberry shortcake, with strawberry, grainy malt, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Taste is pretty much just like the aroma, but there's also some tart berries and lemony citrus flavors noticeable too. Tastes like a sweet and tart strawberry shortcake! Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's coating and smooth with a moderate amount of carbonation. I think this is a tasty brew, not quite sure if I like it was much as the base Squeezebox but it's good. If you like fruited beers and/or sours then pick this one up!