Polygraph
Urban Artifact

 

12 ounce can, canned on 08/18/21. Served in an Urban Artifact chalice, the beer pours a slightly hazy reddish/pink color with about an inch light pink head that didn't stick around for too long. Not much lacing either. Aroma seems subtle to me, the brew smells like cherry, vanilla and earthiness. Very light in comparison to their other brews. Luckily the taste has a lot more kick to it, with cherry, vanilla, lime, earthy, and funky flavors. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating with a moderate amount of carbonation. Usually I like Urban Artifact's fruit tarts, but for whatever reason this one just didn't work for me. Worth a try if you like cherries, maybe you'll like this one more than I did.

 

Working the flavor of cherries into beer might be common to lambic makers, but in the capable hands of Urban Artifact the fruit achieves a cleaner character with the background of cherry pie not far behind.

Pouring a light and peachy reddish mauve, Polygraph glows with a soft haze. As its frothy and spritzy cap pulls from the beer, a scent of cider, cherry and pie crust emit from the glass. With the first and supple sip, the foundation of dry pastry, honeysuckle and sourdough offers a crisp malt support in a cherry tart kind of way.

As the cherry flavors blossom on the middle palate, the fruit raises to a slightly higher influence than the more natural flavors of green apple, lemon, lime, grapefruit and gooseberry from the souring agents that skirt slightly underneath. Peppery from the bite of fruit skins and seed along with the formidable booze and the balance is nearly as spicy as it is sour.

Medium light on the palate, the sour cherry ale starts bright, fruity and spicy but it does trail into a flat mouthfeel that flirts with becoming watery. Overall Polygraph is a beer of full potential but the flavor punch is subdued and is simply a bit bland although closing with a drinkable, refreshing and thirst quenching feel.

 

Lightly foggy Swedish Fish red with a short but steady white blanket that slowly recedes to a spotty film and thin chain.

Really juicy cherry pie filling pairs with a hint of cinnamon graham and a touch of toast. A tiny spritz of lime accents here or there.

The tangy, tart, tingly medium body has a fine carbonation that finishes semi-dry.

Pours a reddish -pink color with a minimal head that disappears quickly. Aroma is sweet fruit juice. Tastes of tart cherry juice. Crisp and dry. Slight sour finish.

Good but not upper tier. Has a lot going for it but left me wanting a bit more. You definitely get more cherry as it warms. Fairly tart and finishes somewhat dry. I would have again but wouldn’t seek it out. I prefer The Gadget but worthy of a shot.