Seismoscope
Urban Artifact

12 ounce can, canned on 09/29/22. Served in an Urban Artifact chalice, the beer pours a dark reddish/purple color with about an inch and a half dark pink head that stuck around a while. Good amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells mostly like dark berries, along with some vanilla, and bready malt. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's the addition of some berry jam flavor too. Lots and lots of berries in this one! Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's coating and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was a good overall brew, definitely worth picking up if you like tart dark berries or Urban Artifact's brews in general.

 

When the term "blackberry" is already taken, a discovery of new dark berries deserves a more ominous, deeper and darker name. "Obsidian" it is! Urban Artifact is first in line to use this berry in their Midwestern Fruit Tart ale that's sending waves throughout the region.

Seismoscope pours with a deep and dark purple, blue and mauve in a dense red wine character. As a neon lavender froth builds swiftly on the rim, the tantalizing scent of dark berry, red wine, citric acidity and a pep of balsamic have beer seemingly as savory as it is sour. Sweeter on the tongue, a bold and creamy fructose laden taste is cereal-like with hints of agave and pastry crust.

As the strong sourness washes away the bulk of creaminess, the dark berry flavor remain in the forms of blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, red grape and black raspberry. With the density of condensed fruit, lighter flavors of prune, macerated cherry and dates seem to show on the middle palate. Trailing into a vinous sourness with a twinge of cider, apple vinegar and strong red wine, the session carries a lot of power and complexity.

Full bodied, creamy and bracingly acidic, the sour ale finishes boldly fruited, drying and warm. Like mulled wine, the session extends with a juicy impression of jam for a sour ale that's perfect for cooler weather.