CINCINNATI— Urban Artifact is known for their brewers’ focus on fruited, sour beers, as well as experimental beers and the use of exotic ingredients. The brewery’s latest small batch beer is a farmhouse ale brewed with Musang King Durian— a large, pungent fruit popular in Southeast Asia known for its almond, sherry-wine and onion-like characteristics.
Durian is native to parts of Asia and is a seasonal tropical fruit available during the warmest parts of the year. Durian is primarily used in dessert dishes, but recently has become a popular pizza topping in China.
“To my knowledge this is the first durian beer to come out of Ohio,” says assistant brewer and brewing science student Charles Fitzpatrick. He added, “I am very excited to be part of something this unique so early in my career.”
Beer Details
Name: Tean Zu
Style: Fruited Farmhouse Ale
Fruit Used: Musang King Durian (AKA “The King of Fruits”)
Available: Limited and draft only
Where: Urban Artifact Taproom 1660 Blue Rock St., Cincinnati, OH 45223
Fitzpatrick and Bret Kollmann Baker, head brewer and co-founder of Urban Artifact, designed the recipe together to highlight the intense flavors associated with durian fruit. After the recipe was finalized they sourced nearly 50 whole Musang King Durians to be opened, pulped and placed into the fermenter. Once the ale was ready to be packaged two variants were also created, a Chinese five spice infused batch as well as a dessert inspired version with lime, vanilla bean and nutmeg. Both variants will be available in the Urban Artifact Brewery taproom at the tapping on Tuesday 12-18-18.
How does it taste? “This beer is not something you have ever experienced before,” says Kollmann Baker, speaking to the unique flavor combinations present in the durian beer.
Due to the rising demand for these fruits in parts of the world, it is becoming difficult to source large amounts of durian in Ohio, and this may be the only chance for quite some time to experience this one of a kind brew.
About Urban Artifact
Urban Artifact is Ohio’s sour brewery with a taproom, full bar, and live music venue, located in the historic St. Patrick’s Church in Cincinnati, Ohio’s Northside neighborhood. Urban Artifact opened their doors with their first beers and music shows in April 2015. Urban Artifact specializes in tart and wild ales, especially balanced, heavily fruited ales. Urban Artifact’s beers are inspired by their culture and community, and by the microscopic natural world around us.