Wait--the last time I did an Urban Artifact was in 2020? Seriously? Nearly four years ago? Wow. That's something. Well, let me make amends for that today. 

Yes, here in October I'm doing an Urban Artifact beer. Because, believe it or not, the brewery's put out a pumpkin beer called Jack. Let's see how Jack's drinking on this fine, autumnal day.

Urban Artifact, based out of Cincinnati, OH's Northside neighborhood, has been working with their flagship fruit tart ales since they opened in 2015. They've pushed the envelop of what these beers are and they've created the "Midwest Fruit Tart," an original style of fruit tart. They've made their home in an old Catholic church that they've converted into a multi-purpose space consisting of the brewery, a taproom, a concert venue, and more.

Jack's a 7.7% ABV American Fruit Tart. It's brewed with pumpkin pie spices and real pumpkin. That's all we have to go on as we head into the ale.

Purrl wouldn't sniff my can. But, I expected that--she doesn't like sour ales. And, hoo boy, is this bouquet sour! There's pumpkin flesh and apple in the nose. But, that's it. There're no spices here. Just sourness. Like, lime juice sour. It's great and makes me excited for the beer. Just because it's not Purrl's thing doesn't mean it isn't mine.

My first swig is sour on the fore. Lurking just beneath that, however, are the pumpkin pie spices (ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg are big here) and the pumpkin itself. If it weren't for the whole "tart" part of this fruit tart, I'd say this is the most true-to-form pumpkin pie beer I've ever had. It's delicious, even when the sour returns and washes out in the finish. Here, I'm left with just the pumpkin, the spices, and a dollop of sweetness. The tartness gives the ale a trick 'r treat candy vibe.

The mouthfeel on Jack is great. It's an ale, sure, so it's a workhorse. Full and quaffable. Pleasant. But that sourness drys out my cheeks and causes a pucker. It's fun.

Jack would be a killer lawnmower beer if that was its season. Hell, you ever have those really hot Octobers? The ones where the heat soars to the high 80s (Farenheit--I'm in the US) regularly? And you need to cut your grass often because the rain doesn't cool things down, it just makes stuff grow? What am I saying? This is 2024; of course you have. On those days, a beer like this would be perfect.

I'm pleased to report that Urban Artifact's Jack is drinking mighty fine. While it makes me yearn for warmer weather (something I never thought I'd do in October), it's great for those Spooky Finger Puppet Ghost Month occasions. I'm giving my can an easy 9.0/10. Purrl has no idea what she's missing.