-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Tropic King
Funkwerks
- From:
- Funkwerks
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Saison
Ranked #468 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #12,967 - Avg:
- 3.95 | pDev: 9.37%
- Reviews:
- 154
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 23, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 24, 2011
- Wants:
- 58
- Gots:
- 114
Originally designed to be a hoppier version of our flagship Saison, the accidental (but fortuitous) addition of two extra bags of Munich malt balanced the hop bitterness leaving us this very unique Imperial Saison. Tropical fruit flavors coming from the unique New Zealand hop variety, Rakau.
Notes of passion fruit, mango, peach, pepper and ginger.
Pairs well with hula hooping.
Notes of passion fruit, mango, peach, pepper and ginger.
Pairs well with hula hooping.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by WDJersey:
Rated by WDJersey from Colorado
3.93/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Jan 28, 2017
3.93/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Jan 28, 2017
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by philbe311 from Pennsylvania
3.85/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
An even fingers worth of dense and lush off white colored froth... Color is a completely translucent pale amber... The nose is mostly funk with some horse blanket and candied tropical fruits... I retesting flavor profile that doesn't scream saison... Mild honey, mild tropical fruit, bandaids and a subtle earthiness... Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation... Interesting interpretation of one of my favorite styles but it ends up rather pedestrian overall...
Jan 21, 2023Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
4.05/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
(5 oz fat tulip pour at the brewery 17 Sep 4:30p, part of a flight... review copied from notes taken on my phone)
Gold color (darker than the Saison)... tropical melange of papaya, pineapple, banana, and bubblegum... doughy pineapple cake malt thing... like the Saison, decent foam retention, if not good lacing
what I can add from memory: the flavors in this may have popped out more and had greater interest compared to the Saison... I wish I would've had some more to see whether or not it would grow taxing to my palate... still, it was light-bodied and delicate enough in its attack that I think I could've withstood a few glasses, who knows?... again, interesting, if not distinct (2024)
Sep 18, 2022Gold color (darker than the Saison)... tropical melange of papaya, pineapple, banana, and bubblegum... doughy pineapple cake malt thing... like the Saison, decent foam retention, if not good lacing
what I can add from memory: the flavors in this may have popped out more and had greater interest compared to the Saison... I wish I would've had some more to see whether or not it would grow taxing to my palate... still, it was light-bodied and delicate enough in its attack that I think I could've withstood a few glasses, who knows?... again, interesting, if not distinct (2024)
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri
3.84/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a foggy and frosty copper-orange with two fingers of dense white foam. Aroma is tropical fruits, citrus, grassy, herbally, and bready malts. Lemongrass, banana, and clove sneak on more towards the back, but become the driving notes at the finish. Flavor profile is tropical fruits, citrus, grassy, herbaly, and resiny hops with straw, cloves, banana, and lemongrass coming on more towards the finish. While the initial pan-flash of tropical fruits starts it off sweet, the bulk of the flavor profile is yeast esters, clove, and sticky grass. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a smooth texture. Overall, tropical fruits add some pleasant sweetness, with the bulk of the profile being standard saison.
Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz can.
Dec 05, 2021Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz can.
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
3.59/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.59/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can. Stamped on can bottom is 'BEST BY 04/07/21' (Drinking on 6/26/2021).
Cloudy, pale gold colored body. One finger of white head. Remnants of lacing left behind.
Aroma has tropical fruit and yeast.
Taste is fruity, with some yeast.
Medium mouth feel. Good carbonation.
Imbibed three months past best by date. Tastes like a fruity saison.
Jun 27, 2021Cloudy, pale gold colored body. One finger of white head. Remnants of lacing left behind.
Aroma has tropical fruit and yeast.
Taste is fruity, with some yeast.
Medium mouth feel. Good carbonation.
Imbibed three months past best by date. Tastes like a fruity saison.
Reviewed by Olesjm from Kansas
3.67/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: classic orangy color with a very noticeable carbonation. Nice lacing from the head.
S: fruity, sweet, and slightly sour.
T: balanced toward the bitter side. Clean. No real fruitiness but with a slight spiciness.
M: medium light body with pronounced effervescence.
O: overall a very easily drinking saison.
Jan 19, 2021S: fruity, sweet, and slightly sour.
T: balanced toward the bitter side. Clean. No real fruitiness but with a slight spiciness.
M: medium light body with pronounced effervescence.
O: overall a very easily drinking saison.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.82/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.82/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Bought two cans from Beer Drop.
I'm getting to be a fan of Funkwerks. But I'm not 100% sure what this brew is. I've reviewed a few other reviews and I'm not sure we are all talking about the same saison. Also, my can says it is brewed in San Leandro... which is expensive real estate compared to Fort Collins... despite the Rockies surrounding beauty. The can also reads like a food/soda with the FDA disclosures for Calories, sugars and ingredients. Also at 8%, this pushes beyond the saison, a table ale. Also, Tropic King was not a particularly good pairing with my world-famous soup... and table ABVs make us both seem good.
All that said, Tropic King Looks considerably better than the median of its style... really a pretty orange amber and decent foam. Smells are a different story, I want something distinctive... but my nose has no clue. Tastes are only slightly better. In my mouth it is good enough. But OA, Tropic King is just not lively. If I were to point to one improvement... work on cultivating and keeping a self-sustaining yeast. Too often for American crafters working in the Belgian-inspired styles, they let their yeasts get tired. Better to rely less on the yeast vendor and more on the knowledge you are building. But, I do like Funkwerks for trying to interpret what the Belgian masters looks centuries to perfect.
Glad there is Beer Drop to "distribute" just in case Funkwerks' distributor in Chicagoland gets wet feet.
Nov 08, 2020I'm getting to be a fan of Funkwerks. But I'm not 100% sure what this brew is. I've reviewed a few other reviews and I'm not sure we are all talking about the same saison. Also, my can says it is brewed in San Leandro... which is expensive real estate compared to Fort Collins... despite the Rockies surrounding beauty. The can also reads like a food/soda with the FDA disclosures for Calories, sugars and ingredients. Also at 8%, this pushes beyond the saison, a table ale. Also, Tropic King was not a particularly good pairing with my world-famous soup... and table ABVs make us both seem good.
All that said, Tropic King Looks considerably better than the median of its style... really a pretty orange amber and decent foam. Smells are a different story, I want something distinctive... but my nose has no clue. Tastes are only slightly better. In my mouth it is good enough. But OA, Tropic King is just not lively. If I were to point to one improvement... work on cultivating and keeping a self-sustaining yeast. Too often for American crafters working in the Belgian-inspired styles, they let their yeasts get tired. Better to rely less on the yeast vendor and more on the knowledge you are building. But, I do like Funkwerks for trying to interpret what the Belgian masters looks centuries to perfect.
Glad there is Beer Drop to "distribute" just in case Funkwerks' distributor in Chicagoland gets wet feet.
Reviewed by DannyBoy15347 from Missouri
4.38/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice slightly hazy golden color with a small white head that dissipates gradually. Aroma is earthy, obvious notes of wheat and what feels like just the right amount of hop character. Taste is very similar and carries a pleaseant light citrus flavor, maybe passion fruit also? (Not sure if ive ever actually had passion fruit now that i think about it lol) I thought the mouthfeel was superb, but this is my 1st Saison in years. Im generally an IPA guy, but i could drink this all day. Beer feels perfectly balanced with just enough of a sublte bitterness, and carbonation likewise seems perfect. Thoroughly enjoyed this change of pace, and looking forward to trying the flagship saison next as well! Cheers y'all!
Jun 13, 2020Reviewed by macrosmatic from Florida
3.68/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to dujayhawk for sending this bottle! Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from a 750 mL bottle, 2013 vintage, into an El Catador teku glass. Consumed on Super Bowl Sunday 2018.
A: Mildly hazy darkish gold, with a finger's worth of off-white head that fades away pretty quickly. Moderate level of visible carbonation.
S: Cracker malts with mild caramel (and I think slight oxidation), melon and tropical fruit hops. Some musty barnyard yeastiness.
T: Biscuit malts with mild caramel again. Tropical fruit and melon hops with a modest bitterness. Yeasty – some fruity yeast esters, mild bubblegum, and some peppery phenols. Maybe a mild funk within the musty hay. A mild bitterness and lingering funk in the hang.
M: Body is on the light side of average, but certainly not watery. Good carbonation sensation, and alcohol flavors are low.
O: Meh…the was fine, I guess. Between me and me, I think the age on this bottle didn’t help one bit, and I feel bad about letting it sit. I think the hops dropped significantly and the malt got caramel-ed. Wish I'd drank it fresher.
Mar 31, 2020A: Mildly hazy darkish gold, with a finger's worth of off-white head that fades away pretty quickly. Moderate level of visible carbonation.
S: Cracker malts with mild caramel (and I think slight oxidation), melon and tropical fruit hops. Some musty barnyard yeastiness.
T: Biscuit malts with mild caramel again. Tropical fruit and melon hops with a modest bitterness. Yeasty – some fruity yeast esters, mild bubblegum, and some peppery phenols. Maybe a mild funk within the musty hay. A mild bitterness and lingering funk in the hang.
M: Body is on the light side of average, but certainly not watery. Good carbonation sensation, and alcohol flavors are low.
O: Meh…the was fine, I guess. Between me and me, I think the age on this bottle didn’t help one bit, and I feel bad about letting it sit. I think the hops dropped significantly and the malt got caramel-ed. Wish I'd drank it fresher.
Reviewed by iguanodon from Utah
4.15/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle. Pours clear orange/ gold with a very small head that disappears quickly. Aroma: tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus, hint of alcohol. Taste: stone fruit, tropical fruit, black pepper. Imperial saison sounded sketchy but I tried it because it’s from Funkwerks. I’m glad I did because they got it right.
Mar 28, 2020Reviewed by metter98 from New York
3.89/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is a little hazy dark golden yellow in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with some lacing on the surface and a collar of off white bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of Belgian yeast are present in the nose along with hints of herbal hops and stone fruit.
T: The taste follows the smell, but is a little fruitier with additional notes of peaches and plums with a bit of sourness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I found this saison to be interesting as was also fruity with a bit of sourness.
Serving type: bottle
Dec 05, 2019S: Light to moderate aromas of Belgian yeast are present in the nose along with hints of herbal hops and stone fruit.
T: The taste follows the smell, but is a little fruitier with additional notes of peaches and plums with a bit of sourness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I found this saison to be interesting as was also fruity with a bit of sourness.
Serving type: bottle
Tropic King from Funkwerks
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
651 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!