Is the Funkwerks buzz dead?

I think most people still hold them in high regard. I would guess that there is just too much going on in the Colorado beer world to stay the 'next big thing' for very long.

 

There was Funkwerks buzz?

I really like everything I've ever had from them, but I've never really heard buzz around them.

 

I think they had a pretty strong buzz when they first opened. The idea of a brewery only making saison variants (which they've deviated from a bit) seemed pretty crazy back in 2010. That was followed by some attention to Chad doing his work there and a wave of adoration with their Small Brewery of the Year win.

The trading scene wasn't as active in those days, but under today's circumstances they'd probably have people lining up...at least for a week or two until the next brewery opened. Their ability to successfully ship beers outside of their hometown probably hurt their geek cred.

 

Couple other reasons. Fort Collins is an hour away from Denver and 2 hours away from the Springs. Distance is relevant. I know of a Denver friend who hasn't been to Fort Collins in 6 years, and some people in Colorado Springs who have never been north of Denver. Their beers are good but saison is not one of the hot/trendy styles right now. And lastly, there are tons of buzz-worthy breweries opening up. The new beers that FW is doing aren't really buzzworthy but certainly worth drinking.

Oh, and their special-release beers sometimes don't see distro either.

 

For me they really lit up on the scene when they did the BA Saison (Solstice) 4-years ago with a barrel from Mile High W&S, that beer was incredible. They also won a Silver in GABF for their saison in 2011 & GOLD in 2012. Again in 2014 they won GOLD for their Raspberry Provisional. Make no mistake their beer is stellar and I OFTEN add it as extras in my trades.

But like everything everyone has already mentioned, just so much other great beer here now to compete against. Aside from maybe WeldWerks & Black Project, no other brewery has current claim as the 'Next Big Thing'... and alas WeldWerks & Black Project have already breached the top 40 on Untappd

 

And this. Geek 'buzz' maybe lost, beer quality definitely not.

According to a certain Casey trend in Colorado, I'd highly contest that statement.

 

Saison is all the rage, although "clean" ones are kind of passe' at the moment. With it being such a catch-all style, it's almost hard to compare something like Collette or FW Saison vs. Casey Saison or Vielle.

 

These both generally help hype.

 

When they went with a distributor things changed (vague enough for ya? ). Only 2 beers show up on that distro's most recent portfolio they handed out. I think they get lost in the shuffle. Darn fine beers, though

 

Probably this.

I know Funkwerks has played around with an annual brett saison, but it really wasn't their strength...which probably doesn't help their hype train.

That all said, I absolutely love Funkwerks and their Flagship Saison and Deceit are 2 of my absolute favorite beers.

 

I don't even really like the styles they make, but find myself stopping by somewhat regularly just because they do them so damn well. And their taproom exclusives are typically incredible too...

 

They are selling a ton, a TON, of beer at a reasonable price which is (accurately and properly IMO) higher than Colette, equal to or (usually) lower than Sofie and Tank 7, significantly lower than the Brett and buggy saisons from Casey and the Stave.

As Catfish Hunter, of the high 80s MPH ( but exceptionally controlled location-wise) fastball used to say, "There's a lot of money to be made out there on the black part of the plate."

Buzz I'm trying to say, can be over-rated.

 

I probably sound like a broken record because Funkwerks is the first or second stop I tell people to make in Fort Collins. I recommend it to everyone. Perhaps the styles aren't to everyone's tastes, but I sure dig it. I feel like they execute their beers well, and have potential to make great stuff.

Mokra was delicious and different.

 

Barrel-aged Tropic King is currently one of the best beers in Fort Collins.

 

Deceit won a bronze at World Beer Cup last weekend. I think we can close the door on quality being the reason for the "lack of buzz" because their beers are just as great as they've always been.


About 5 years ago huge, malty, 100+ IBU IPAs were the hot trend and now we're seeing the demand for the complete opposite; IPAs with lower malt and bitterness, more late addition hops. In other words, more balanced IPAs. The same exact paradigm shift has happened to American sours. The tooth enamel melting beers of Upland and Cascade we're all the buzz a few years ago but most beernerds have gotten burnt on them, or at least I have. Now we're hearing things at tastings like "this beer is too sour" which would have been grounds for a straight jacket in 2011. Taste change quicker than gaudy-ass fashion trends but this sour beer paradigm shift has led to a movement of mixed culture, low ABV, lightly sour beers under the catch all name of Saison. What the hell is Saison nowadays, anyways?? The style guidelines might be up for more debate than Porter. Whatever they are, they pack a helluva lot of complex flavors into such a low ABV shell.

It's already been said that "clean" Saisons aren't the craze at the moment, but that's my observation as to why. It's sad because Funkwerks might be making the best "clean" saisons in the US, at least they're still being recognized with awards.

 

Well shit, you're a genius.

On a related note, I need to buy more Funkwerks.

 

What is everyone's favorite non-fruited Funkwerks? I've only had a handful (albeit several times each).

 

i like the flagship, straight Saison. My wife's "house beer" if you will, I only dare drink one when there's at least two 4 packs in the fridge. Which there almost always are, if not more.

 

Just the plain old Saison. An excellent take on a classic style, usually about $10/4 pack. I really should buy it way more often than I do.