FORT COLLINS, CO (September 3, 2013) - Funkwerks, the award-winning Saison-focused brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, has released a limited quantity of Rum Barrel Deceit, a barrel aged Belgian-Style Golden Ale. Rum Barrel Deceit starts with Funkwerks’ award-winning Belgian-style golden strong ale, Deceit. Aged in oak rum barrels for eight months, with a high percentage of Pilsner malt and a unique Belgian yeast strain, Rum Barrel Deceit is a strong yet deceptively smooth brew. The beer pours a golden color with alluring aromas of fresh apple and crisp white wine. Spicy notes in the flavor are complimented by characteristics inherent in the oak barrels. Slight fruit notes balance the elaborate flavors and transition into a dry and inviting finish. Alcohol by volume is 10.0%. “We were excited for the opportunity to turn Deceit, our smooth gold-medal winning beer, into a barrel aged beer,” said Gordon Schuck, Funkwerks Co-Founder/Owner and Head Brewer. “Barrel aging makes a beer more complex and limits quantity for a very sought after beer.” Rum Barrel Deceit is best served at 50 degrees and pairs incredibly well with Dulce de Leche Pound Cake. Funkwerks produced nine and a half barrels of Rum Barrel Deceit. Rum Barrel Deceit is now available on draft and in bottles at the Funkwerks taproom; on draft in select Fort Collins, Colorado locations; and in 750 ml bottles in limited quantities at liquor stores in Colorado, Nebraska, and Arizona. The Funkwerks Story: In 2007 Gordon Schuck’s recipe design and brewing skills resulted in a gold medal-winning Saison at the National Homebrew Competition. Brad Lincoln first experienced craft beer while working as an accountant in Portland, OR. The two met during the winter of 2009 while attending the Siebel Institute and studying brewing science. After being immersed in beer for the better part of five months, the two graduated and shared a desire to open a brewery. This resulted in the Saison-focused brewery that is now Funkwerks, opening December 9, 2010. Funkwerks’ two flagship beers, Saison and Tropic King, are produced year round. Also brewed annually are four seasonals, a number of small experimental batches, and select barrel-aged releases. Funkwerks flagship Saison was awarded a gold medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and a silver medal in 2011. Deceit, a Belgian-Style golden strong ale, was also awarded a gold medal at the GABF in 2012. In addition to receiving two gold medals in 2012, the GABF named Funkwerks the 2012 Small Brewing Company of the Year. Funkwerks is located at 1900 East Lincoln Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado. The tasting room- complete with an indoor bar, retail area and spacious outdoor, dog-friendly patio- is open 7 days a week: Sunday through Thursday from 12pm-8pm; Fridayand Saturday from 12pm-9pm. Brewery tours are given Saturdays at 2pm. Funkwerks is currently distributed in Colorado by American Eagle Distributing and C.R. Goodman, in Nebraska by Quality Brands of Omaha and Double Eagle Beverage, and in Arizona by the Hensley Beverage Company. http://www.funkwerks.com ###
I really like the original and am optimistic the rum barrels will provide more complexity/character. That being said, the quote in the presser...uh, no comment.
I had it at the brewery last week, wife and I agreed we don't know if we liked it or not. It was complex, but I don't know if the rum added or took away from the beer.
I love the normal Deceit, but I've had hit or miss experiences with rum barrels. They amplify sweetness and booziness quite a bit. Sometimes it works, and other times it tastes like someone dumped a whole bottle of vanilla extract into a beer. Hopefully we can taste the rarity with this one. Solstice had some rarity on the back of the palate and I get just a hint of rarity in Dark Prophet, but their other beers are lacking.
Not a huge Funkwerks fan, but that Rum Deceit is amazing, as good as any rum barrel aged beer I've had and almost as different as Thensaurum. I definitely recommend it if you get the chance.
