They’ve been teasing us for the last couple of years that they wanted to bring back their Trick or Treat mixed pack, and Urban Artifact (on the wave of expansion and a little bit of wiggle room in their production schedule) is finally able to make good on their promise… it’s back, although a little fizzier than it was before.

What The Heck Are We Talking About?

I know that some of you either weren’t craft beer fans or just didn’t care enough to snag a mixed pack one of the last two times that Urban Artifact did this… but their Trick Or Treat goodie bags (they don’t come packaged in a trick or treat bag, even if they should) are a brilliant representation of why I love the personality of this brewery.

It’s not about the liquid itself. You need to know that right off the top before you crack into a can of anything. There is a likelihood that what you open up is going to taste strange, in fact… that’s part of the point. The mixed pack has a mix of things that taste awesome and a mix of things that are a bit of a “trick”.

Trick or treat. Some things are tasty, some things are strange – and you’re left with a ton of fun trying to figure out what it all is with a group of your friends. I can’t express how much fun that exploration is when you rather a group of folks together and just dive in, tasting and exploring it all. It’s an absolute blast.

What To Expect.

This year the brewery is releasing a six-pack of seltzers. Four of them are going to be ‘Treats’ – great tasting, fun, seasonably appropriate flavored. The other two? Tricks. You have no idea what you’re in store for. Will you get blue raspberry or toothpaste?

The six-pack is themed with different cryptozoological creatures, which if you know Urban Artifact’s artwork – is going to be worth buying just for the can art alone… even if you’re not a fan of seltzers or incredibly fun times.

The six packs start hitting store shelves this month (no “seasonal creep comments… please”) and will be pretty widely available. You’ll see them starting August 16th – so make sure you stock up and start getting a group of your friends together soon!

Why You Should Care.

I hinted a little bit about this earlier in the post, but the biggest part of what I want you to know, understand, and feel about this release is the absolute joy that it brings with it. Beer has long been about hanging out with friends, family, or heck, even strangers and smiling, laughing, and talking over a pint or two.

This release is one of the few that captures that perfectly in the last few years. Trying to guess what each flavor might be, debating if it’s a delicious treat, or if it’s a horrible trick… it’s so much fun.

I’m not pretending that the geeky side of beer isn’t important. Folks lining up for rare NE IPAs or Expensive pastry stouts has absolutely become an important part of what craft beer is in 2022 – but this shakes things up in just the right places to capture the complete opposite of all of that.

I implore you, as a drinker, as a fan of Cincinnati craft beer… don’t miss out on this. If you want to know more you can read about the 2017 release here or the 2018 release here. If you want to get the latest on this year’s festivities, they have a whole website dedicated to it, here.

Just don’t miss it.