Solstice
Funkwerks

SolsticeSolstice
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Funkwerks
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.75 | pDev: 14.4%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
21
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 26, 2015
Added:
Feb 02, 2012
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  5
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jmarsh123:
Photo of jmarsh123
Reviewed by jmarsh123 from Indiana

2.68/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Pours deep amber with a small fluffy off-white head. A bit of lacing down the glass with decent retention.

Lots of banana in the aroma mixed with nuttiness with a little wood from the barrel and some spice. Strange mix.

Similar flavor. Banana is the flavor I get most, but a big barrel presence leads this to taste way too sweet although there is some clove spice that peaks in. Grainy texture.

Medium bodied. Carbonation is too low for a saison enhancing the already too sweet flavors.

Very different beer and one that didn't do it for me at all. Maybe some age will do this one good, but right now it seems like an unintegrated mess.
Sep 13, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.94 by jfstilling from South Carolina

Feb 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.92 by wethorseblanket from California

Jan 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by MinorThreat from Nebraska

Feb 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Jun 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jun 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by hiphopj5 from Colorado

Jan 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Thorpe429 from Illinois

Jan 17, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Jellopants356 from Montana

Dec 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 01, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by drewone from California

Aug 08, 2012
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark amber color with a khaki head. Sweet malt dominates the nose. Toffee and vanilla give the beer substantial sweetness, as do dark fruit aromas. A mild banana note, some oak, and a hint of yeast and spice. The flavor is full of dark fruit, toffee, caramel, and vanilla. There is a hint of alcohol, light spices, and some banana. Might be just a hint of dark chocolate. Not much of a saison/farmhouse beer as the label indicates, but quite good.
Aug 07, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Mebuzzard from Colorado

Jun 06, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by ucsbmullet from Colorado

May 16, 2012
Photo of DaveHack
Reviewed by DaveHack from Pennsylvania

4.17/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle 434/675.

Pours a very dark, almost cola color. Nice fluffy head quickly settles into a ring around the glass.
Smells of a musty bourbon, like grampa forgot his cough medicine in the basement..
First taste reminds me of a seasoned piece of leather. Tobacco hints are there too. On the back is a slight alcohol burn.
A little thin,slightly watery, which isn't even bad althought I expected something a little thicker. It feels good otherwise in the mouth.
Overall, I'm glad I got to try this. Saisons are my new 'thing' and a dark saison such as this is a fantastic treat. Definately go for this if you get the chance.
May 07, 2012
Photo of Domingo
Reviewed by Domingo from Colorado

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a review of the Mile High exclusive bottle. This is the FW dark saison (apparently the same version as the Dark Prophet) aged in Buffalo Trace barrels.
Dark brown with a little bit of a plum highlight. Just the right amount of carbonation that stays but isn’t a gusher or fader.
The nose starts off with a bourbon note, but gives way to a Belgian dark ale character featuring dark and dried fruits. Some whiffs have more bourbon character than others, but it’s never overpowering.
The flavor profile walks a similar line, although the base beer strikes before the bourbon/barrel notes do. A bit of a prune and slightly caramelized sugar hit up front. The slightly zesty yeast follows. Belgian yeasts often come across as being almost “corn-like” to me, and this one falls into that grouping. Note: That is NOT a negative. The middle is where the bourbon barrel character comes out. Vanilla, caramel, and sour mash blend well with the slightly acidic finish. The aftertaste seems to be where the bourbon character lies most, but it’s never hot or too punchy.
While the beer has a ton of flavor and tends to be a bit of a sipper, I think that’s more of the nature of the style than any fire from the liquor barrels.
A good and unique brew. I can’t think of anything else quite like it, but it was really enjoyable. Not sure if we’ll ever see this exact beer again, but the bottles are well worth hunting down.
Apr 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by WeisGuy from New York

Apr 02, 2012
Photo of zeff80
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri

4.2/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Poured out a cloudy, dark amber color with a 2-finger, light brown head of foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled funky and slightly fruity. A touch of toasty caramel, too.

T - It had a nice funky/phenolic bite with some fruity tartness. Good spiciness that comes with a saison.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied saison with dry, clean finish.

O - This is a really tasty dark saison. Can't wait to try more beers from Funkwerks.
Mar 31, 2012
Photo of Aml42000
Reviewed by Aml42000 from Washington

3.45/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A- Mahogany with a fluffy off white head. Served in a small goblet with nice lacing in the small glass.

S- A lot of moving parts here banana/esters, wood spice from the barrel and some nuttiness.

T- More banana than bourbon and heavy malt flavors. Could use some bottle age to come together more.

M- Medium bodied and slighly rounded texture. Effervescence adds balance to the busy flavor palate. Approachable.

O- There is a truly excellent beer in there, but this has a bit too much going on right now. I'll try again when given the chance.
Feb 11, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by mfield14 from Colorado

Feb 06, 2012
Solstice from Funkwerks
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 21 ratings