Motueka
Funkwerks

 

My stocks of Funkwerks are dwindling, just a few mixed bottles left. This was one of the ones I was most excited about, hopped with Motueka hops, a breed I've never sampled. Also has some acidulated malt, soured with lactobacillus. Carries a warning: This beer might make you start skipping, spontaneously.

Pours beautifully and textbook saison. Better than three fingers of dense, pillowy head, leaving windowpanes of lace as it recedes. Body is a lovely, hazy, honeyed golden-orange. Keeps better than a finger of head even after several minutes, collar climbing even further.

On the nose, the promised lemon-lime is there, dryish and spritzy. Grassiness, zesty coriander, fruity esters with a bit of grape, underlying doughy malt character that's almost imperceptible, and a light whiff of fruit blossoms I couldn't pin down. I thought this was really beautiful. Fruity, floral, dryish and grassy.

Taste is a bit more understated and very likeable. Crisp apples, pears, more lemon and lime, a bit of strawberry acidity. A bit of chalky ginger, lemongrass, and again the malt is very understated and neutral, allowing the yeast and hops to shine. Just a bit of mild grain husk on the finish. I felt an excellent saison and a reminder of why I like the style so much.

 

 

Poured on-tap at the brewery and served in a tulip, the beer is a hazy, copper-gold coloring, with a filmy, white halo. Nose of citrus, grape musk, chardonnay, woody highlights, and subtle roasted notes. Flavors are wine-like forward, with an apple and apricot fruit character, subtle caramel notes, oaky character, and some earthy highlights. Light, dry body, with a wine and fruity aftertaste. Dry, smooth finish. Solid brew.

 

i am greatly enjoying this series of single hopped saisons from funkwerks, but think both so far are a little under hopped, and maybe too subtle to be the best examples of what these varietals can do. that said, the saisons are exquisitely well made and very delicious, although this one is a little to clean and clear for me. i like the yeasty hazy and funky vibes i usually get from their saisons, and this one doesnt really have that, it drinks real easy and more ester fruity like a belgian than farmy and open and patient like a saison. i taste pear and kiwi fruit in the hops and yeast complexion, and some passion fruit tartness for a second too. carbonation is enormous here, and the beer is quite dry. i know motueka hops to be really pungent and fruity, and this isnt that, its all real mellow. i would have liked a more aggressive dry hop to bring some of these features out, but i think the beer itself is still really good.