There aren’t many seltzers that I actually want to drink. I’m not saying that there aren’t good seltzers around, because there are… but I just don’t want them. I want a beer, or a cocktail, or something else that the seltzer is actually subbing in for. There are two local seltzers that have changed that for me.
Before we continue, I have to shout out the other one – Astra from March First. It’s candy in a glass… it’s perfectly done for what it’s supposed to be.
But Urban? That’s a whole other thing – It’s amazing, and we gotta talk about it.
About Urban Artifact’s Seltzer
When Urban Artifact first announced that they were going to make a seltzer, I think there were some folks around town who thought that they were kidding. These were the folks that made a name for themselves by bucking trends, forming their own road through Cincinnati craft beer, and doing things the way they wanted to.
Seltzer is trendy. Why the hell would they do it?
Here’s the real secret… their seltzer isn’t a seltzer.
Don’t tell anyone that I told you that, but Urban Artifact’s seltzer is really just a really, really light version of their Fruit Tarts. They have several different versions of “fruit tarts” that they make now. From the Midwest Fruit Tart that we’ve come to love – to the newer American Fruit Tart which is a little lower in ABV, to the Double Fruit Tarts… which are, well.. double everything, and even the standard fruit tart line which is what you used to know as their fruited goses. There’s a lot going on.
The seltzers? They’re just the light side of all of this.
The brewery uses the same freaking process, the same nerdiness, the same real fruit. It’s just really, really light.
Once you understand that and embrace it, you’re gonna fall in love with these.
Moving Them Into The Lineup
Urban Artifact has been working the “seltzers” into their lineup through special release, limited sort-of stuff for the last year, and it’s clear that people love these things. That’s why they are moving them into their full-on lineup now.
Starting right now – you can start to find their Cranberry & Grape, Orange Creamsicle, and a variety pack that also includes Black Cherry and Strawberry and Lemon. They are available not just in the Urban Artifact taproom (with its new bar… make sure you go check that out) – but also in the ever-growing Urban Artifact distribution footprint.
Why I Love Urban, And Why You Should Too
This isn’t just about seltzer. This is about knowing who you are, and knowing how you can work things into your personality – and how you shouldn’t sometimes.
Urban Artifact is brilliant in this regard. The brewery has made a real name for itself in the sour beer niche that so many folks said was a failing idea back when they opened their doors. These folks moved into the fruited beer realm with no regard to how much sense it made (seriously… do you know how much that crap costs?) and they have grown, innovated, and kept cranking out fantastic beer the whole time.
The brewery uses more real fruit than any other brewery in the world…. than ANY OTHER BREWERY IN THE WORLD. That’s freaking nuts and makes me really proud to drink what they’re doing.
Their seltzer might not be a “seltzer” in the normal sense, but it’s exactly what they should be making, and it’s 100% what I want in my fridge. I actually enjoy this stuff, something I haven’t been able to say about most seltzers – even the ones that are technically done well.
They’re now distributing to retail in 12 states, and offering up direct to consumer shipping in 10… if you don’t know about what they are doing right now – you will soon.