Winter warmer, Funkwerks style!

We are happy to share another beer cocktail recipe, courtesy of Ray Harvey over at Ace Gillett's.

The Dark and Stormy Beer:

1 1/2 ounces of dark rum
a dash of Fee Brothers Bitters
1 lime wedge
fill the glass with Funkwerks White

Whatever you are in the mood for, Ray can mix you up a drink you are sure to love! Ace Gillett's is located below the Armstrong Hotel, 239 S. College Ave., in downtown Fort Collins.

Fall becomes winter at Funkwerks

Most residents of Colorado can relate to the following quote: "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." The temperature here can change quickly and without warning, whether it's for better or worse. However, there is one consistency I have found in the Colorado weather, and that's that Halloween is always a very pivotal time in the transition from Fall to Winter. This year was no exception - the first snowfall for Fort Collins happened less than a week before All Hallows Eve, and quite a snow
fall it was!

While winter has its perks, the cold weather has most certainly and somewhat unfortunately limited our taproom attendees to mainly inhabiting our indoor area, leaving our outdoor patio unoccupied and covered in snow. On the bright side, the chilly weather gives us an excuse to cozy up and enjoy activities indoors without the guilt of missing out on a beautiful day. This month Funkwerks would love for you to join us inside as we take part in a handful of special events coming up around the Northern Colorado area.

This Tuesday, November 1st at 6pm, Funkwerks is proud to announce that we will be teaming up with Jax Fish House for a delicious beer dinner. Located in Old Town Fort Collins, Jax is well known for it's fresh seafood and oyster bar.

Another exciting event we're involved in is being held at the West End Tavern in Boulder this Thursday, November 3rd beginning at 6:30pm. As a part of West EndTavern's Satellite Tap Room' series, Funkwerks is taking over, bringing our taproom to their tavern. This event will feature 10 of Funkwerks beers on tap and three representatives from Funkwerks will also be in attendance to answer questions and discuss beers. For more information, check out the West End Tavern's website.

We are pleased to join 'Save the Ales' this year, which is being held on Thursday, November 17th, from 5:30-8pm at the Walker Fine Art Gallery in Denver. Organized by the Colorado Conservation voters, this is a beer tasting held to support pro-conservation policy in the Centennial State and admission is $35 per person. Funkwerks will be one of 12 local breweries at this event, and it's a great way to discover new brews while raising awareness on protecting the local environment. Tickets are still available for purchase. Please visit the Colorado Conservation Voters website. 

Whether it's at an event, or in the taproom, we hope to see you out and about, or rather in and around, soon!

-Nicole

Meet the Canton Cure

Ray's Canton Cure

As we mentioned, Ray Harvey of Ace Gillett's has come up with several beer cocktails utilizing Funkwerks beer.

Here we have one of our favorites, the Canton Cure:

1 ounce of vodka
3/4 ounce of triple sec
1/2 ounce Canton ginger cognac
fill with Saison over ice
stir gently

Look for recipe cards in the taproom soon.

Whatever you are in the mood for, Ray can mix you up a drink you are sure to love! Ace Gillett's is located below the Armstrong Hotel, 239 S. College Ave., in downtown Fort Collins.

Nicole recovering from an explosion of hop dust

Here at Funkwerks we take pride in our work. From great beers to great service, we always hope you’re enjoying your experience with us, whether it’s visiting our taproom or enjoying one of our beers at another location.

 Our head brewer, Gordon Schuck, puts a lot of work into developing the recipes and brewing our Belgian ales. However, he’s not the only one getting his hands dirty brewing in the back. In fact, I think you’d be quite surprised to know who else has been involved in the brewing process to produce some of our celebrated beers. One person that may come of no surprise is our assistant brewer, Andy Mitchell. While he’s helped Gordon brew many times, he’s also had the opportunity to brew one of his own recipes. The largely popular ‘Cochon’ was Andy’s first home-brew recipe that he was able to brew on a large scale for us here at Funkwerks. Although we may be a little biased, we think it turned out delicious!

A trio you might not expect to have been involved in the brewing process is our taproom ladies! That’s right- Jean Parker-Renga, Laura Szumilas and myself have also had the opportunity to try our hand at professional brewing. While we followed Gordon’s recipes and were guided by him the whole way, we were honored to be a part of the process. Jean and Laura helped brew our flagship Saison and I got to assist in the brewing of our Tropic King. Gordon led the front of house gals through the whole process offering us an abundance of knowledge (and patience) as we learned something we had never had the opportunity to take part in before!

Lastly, Carolee Davis also had the opportunity to brew with her now husband. Carolee and Gordon worked hard to to make Mon Tresor (My Treasure), which they brewed for their special day. Enjoy, you two!! But as they are so kind, they’ve also brewed enough to share with us in the taproom, so expect it to be released soon!

Please be sure to check out our events page here at the Funkwerks website as well. We’ve got plenty of things coming up that take place outside of the taproom and are sure to be a good time. From beer dinners to fundraisers, something’s always happening around here, and for that we’re grateful!

Thanks for checking in!

-Nicole












Nicole with recovering from some blinding hop dust

Our second GABF!

We will be pouring at GABF this weekend for the second year! This year we will have our flagship Saison, White, Tropic, and our Belgian Resistance. We will also have our Saison and White paired in the Farm to Table pavilion. Please stop by and say "hi" if you were one of the lucky to grab tickets to this event!

In the mood for beer and a cocktail?

Well you are in luck!!! Our good friend Ray Harvey at Ace Gillett's has outdone himself once again in the creation of Funkwerks beer cocktails. The expert drink mixer has envisioned 10 dreamy cocktails sure to please just about everyone.

If you are in the mood for something light and refreshing, try the White Shandy made with the Funkwerks White, Sweet Tea Bourbon and a fresh-squeezed lemon, or the Bocci Beer that teams the Funkwerks flagship Saison with orange juice and amaretto.

Other delicious creations include the Dark-and-Stormy Beer that couples the White with dark rum and ginger beer, and the Beer-and-Sand that pairs the flagship Saison with scotch, orange juice, Heering Cherry Liqueur and Ruby port.

Whatever you are in the mood for, Ray can mix you up a drink you are sure to love! Ace Gillett's is located below the Armstrong Hotel, 239 S. College Ave., in downtown Fort Collins.

Look for recipes here on the website and in the taproom soon.

As always, enjoy!!!

- Jean

Hello fall!

We’ve had a great summer here at Funkwerks- a big thanks to everyone who has come out to bask in the sun on our patio, or take shelter in the often-welcome air conditioning of our taproom.

For those of you who haven’t been in to visit us recently, we’ve added a couple more beers to our menu, including the Chardonnay Barrel Blonde, Cochon, and Motif.

Our Chardonnay Barrel Blonde is the second barrel aged beer we’ve released here, and it has been very popular since it’s first tapping less than a month ago. This beer combines the flavors of our flagship Saison with the rich, smoky aromas of brettanomyces and a light oakiness from the Chardonnay barrels. Sitting at an 8.2% ABV, and with it’s unique complexity, this beer is quickly becoming a favorite.

Cochon has been received with excitement as well. Cochon (meaning “pig” in French) is a Saison-American pale ale hybrid. It showcases the traditional fruit and pepper notes of our house Saison yeast, as well as a slight citrus flavor and bitterness due to the addition of Cascade and Centennial hops. With an ABV of 6.3%, this beer may be our Saison answer to all those hop heads out there!

Our newest beer, Motif, was tapped just this week. It is a high gravity Saison that starts with a blend of Belgian and German malts combined with cane sugar and brown sugar from Malawi and rounded out with German, Belgian, and Czech hops. Flavor notes of candied apricots, black pepper, rum and ginger are purely from a unique Saison yeast strain and a warm primary fermentation. The finish is dry and crisp with a noticeable alcohol warming. It was brewed by homebrew competition winner Jeff Blackburn here at Funkwerks.

Also, for those of you who were with us when we first opened, you’ll understand the excitement behind this taproom news: Cherry Saison is almost here! Our beloved seasonal is almost back for round two. Due to be released at the beginning of October, there has been a buzz around Funkwerks since we mentioned it was being brewed. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for the most up to date release date!

We look forward to the Colorado fall- cooler weather, colorful trees, football… and some new brews for you (and us) to enjoy!

Hope to see you soon!
-Nicole

Funkwerks Southern Tropic

Our goal at Funkwerks is to make good beer for our customers. Our intention was not to disrespect the Māori people or their culture in naming our Māori King beer. Out of respect, we are re-branding this beer as Southern Tropic.

Craft Beer App

Funkwerks is proud to partner with the Craft Beer App for iPhone, a new and frequently updated media outlet dedicated to all things craft beer. We have six of our brews featured on the app, so download it to read up on our beers and others from craft breweries across the country.

With the Craft Beer App, you can enjoy a world of beer at your fingertips. The main menu guides you through beers by region, or you can use the app to pair your beer with a meal, gain knowledge of a beer's heritage, or read blogs from various brewers.

While you're exploring the app, don't forget to visit the Funkwerks page and rate our fine brews. I definitely have our Maori King listed as one of my favorites!

To learn more or buy the app, check out the Craft Beer App.

Enjoy!!!

Jean

Summer Fun

Hello Funkwerks followers! Our first summer seasonal, the Wild Apricot, was a huge hit. While the beer drinking community quickly consumed the batch, have no fear--our second and third summer seasonals, the Key Lime Rye and Hibiscus Resistance, are still pouring strong in our taproom.

Key Lime Rye is a delicious balance of rye and barley malt, with a hint of key lime juice which adds a delicate citrus note. With a 5.3% ABV, this beer has been a favorite of patio-sippers and growler-fillers alike.

Our newest beer, the Hibiscus Resistance, offers a unique twist on a house favorite- the Belgian Resistance. We took our malty Belgian and added hibiscus in the brewing process to create a more floral and tart beer. With an ABV of 7.2%, this beer packs a bigger punch than our original Belgian Resistance, while offering drinkers a more complex citrus flavor for those hot summer days.

In other non-beer related news, Funkwerks is proud to announce we will now be graced with the presence of StrEats food truck on Friday afternoons. Just in case our usual offering of cheese, crackers and almonds doesn’t fulfill your appetite, StrEats offers up a variety of more substantial foods for you to choose from.

As always, we look forward to seeing you in the taproom!

- Nicole

Join Funkwerks for a five-course meal at the Moot House

This summer is already getting crazy busy here at Funkwerks. We are having a blast getting to know so many people and organizations in the community, and we love how 
welcoming everyone has been to our beer. As most of you know, the warmer months bring events and festivals to the Front Range, and we are going to make sure you have plenty 
of opportunities to grab one of our brews when you’re out and about. 


Coming up on our ever-filling calendar of events are Beer Dinners at the Moot House. Join us on either Wednesday, June 22 or Thursday, June 23 for a five-course dinner paired 
with our Casper, White, Maori King, Belgian Resistance and our first summer seasonal, the Wild Apricot. The cost is just $26.95 per person. Click here to see the menu or swing into 
Funkwerks to pick up a flier. The dinners are going to be a great time, so make your reservations before they sell out by calling the Moot House at 970-226-2121. 



Cheers!!! 



Jean 

It Tastes Like Summer

Wild Apricot is here and our patience paid off. Funkwerks’ first summer seasonal brings us a refreshing fruity brew perfect for the patio on a hot day.

This beer started back in February, and Gordon and Brad took plenty of care making sure Wild Apricot was perfect. The guys blended our house Saison yeast with a wild brettanomyces strain and then added whole organic Turkish apricots to the fermenter.

Sitting at a nice 7.5% A.B.V., this summer seasonal is sure to put a sweet smile on your face. Stop in and try one now in our taproom while it’s still on tap!

Enjoy!

Jean

Rent Out the Taproom

I can’t believe that May brings the 5^th month that Funkwerks has been open! Since December, we have been approached by a handful of fans of our beer to host an event in the taproom. With the enjoyment of our grand opening in January, it is easy to see why. Our cozy tasting area allows a group, whether it’s a business function or a birthday celebration, to get together and create an experience for any occasion. 

Betsy from Cohere recently hosted an anniversary party in the taproom this month and had this to say, “Your taproom was the perfect laidback and fun atmosphere we were looking for! Our experience could not have turned out better.”

Along with having Funkwerks beer during the event, you are welcome to schedule a catering service to provide you food as well. So far, we’ve had everything from a potluck for a birthday celebration to Pizza Cazbah setting up its mobile pizza oven in our parking lot for the recent Cohere function. 

For additional information, please contact me via e-mail at jean@funkwerks.com.

As always, enjoy!

Jean

Puppy treats benefit Animal House shelter

Now that it feels like springtime in Fort Collins with rolling storms and flowers blooming, it is nice to know that you can bring your puppy to Funkwerks and enjoy a beer out on our fenced-in patio.

With the addition of our picnic tables along with the patio table and chairs, there are plenty of places to sit, relax, and enjoy some sun with your furry friend. We even have little puppy bags for easy cleaning of the lawn.

Most importantly, though, we have doggie treats for your companion to snack on with donations going to Animal House. This local animal shelter provides a second chance to pets that may have been euthanized elsewhere. Also providing grooming for your pooch, Animal House is a great place to go and get some of that fur off for the warm days ahead. All proceeds help ensure care for all the Animal House guests waiting for adoption.

So, please help us here at Funkwerks this summer raise as much as we can.  A treat for you brings another meal for one less fortunate.

Enjoy!

Jean

Spring Fever is in the Air

Spring has already been a great season for us at Funkwerks! Our patio was recently outfitted with a custom-made patio table and chairs, created for us by the guys at Loading Dock Design. Thank you, Zach and Jeremy. We love the new set-up on the patio!

Over the last several weeks, we’ve welcomed some new beers to our menu in the taproom, our Barrel Aged Saison and Bastille Biere de Garde, and just the other day we re-released the Maori King, our Imperial Saison. This hoppier version of our Flagship Saison has been a taproom favorite and, as a fan of hoppy beers myself, I’m super excited to have it back on tap. To mark its return, the brewers decided we should give the brew its own shirt. Available here in the taproom, the black t-shirts feature a Maori design created by a fan (thanks, Sam!).

I’m also excited to announce another bit of excitement for us. This weekend, our sister brewery Crooked Stave is tapping its first batch, the spring seasonal Poudre Foudre. This Belgian-style Pale is another great addition to our ever-growing list of beers for you to enjoy this spring in our taproom. Congrats, Chad, on tapping the Poudre Foudre!

If you’re here on a Saturday, we offer tours of the brewery at 2 p.m. So come as you are, grab a beer, and take in some rays on the newly improved patio.

See you soon,

Jean

Crooked Stave's New Fouder

A "foeder" the king of all barrels arrived this week! For all of you that have not yet heard Funkwerks has a sister brewery, Crooked Stave, that will be serving beers from our tap room.  Chad Yakobson is the founder of the new brewery and he has been brewing at Funkwerks for a couple of months.  Chad is focusing primarily on sours, and brettanomyces beers.  Funkwerks is planning on serving two of his beers in our taproom as soon as they are ready.  Yakobson has a MSc. degree in Brewing and Distilling from the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, located at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Scotland. "I am a Hophead with a serious Sour ale addiction. This has led to my interest in all things Brettanomyces."   Check out Chad's brewery website with up to date information on how his beers are doing.  http://www.crookedstave.com.

Brett Dream is in the Fermenter

Our spring seasonal this year is going to be "Brett Dream" it is a saison with some Brettanomyces Claussenii added for extra funk. People often ask how the name came about. It started with a discussion that Gordon, Anda, and I were having regarding how Brettanomyces effects dreams. I can't remember where but we read that some people have very vivid weird dreams if they drink to many Brett beers before bed. My wife says that we should make a beer and call it Brett Dream. Gordon and I laughed but the rest is history.

-Brad

Our Facebook page has a new look!

I encourage you to check out the new look for of our Facebook page and sign up for our email list!

1st Month Met with Success

We made it!  To all who have visited us in December, thank you for making our opening month wonderful.  In times of pouring from bottles and running out of beer we have made some new friends, celebrated a new year and enjoyed tapping some new saisons.
 
It didn't take Brad and Gordon long to catch up to the demand of our beer and we are happy to say by the end of January we will have six saisons on tap.  Also, along with getting our a tap at Choice City and our Saison on tap at Ace Gillett's, Funkwerks now has bottles of our Saison for sale in our taproom, Wilbur's on College and at Mile High Wine and Spirits in Lakewood.

A side note goes to our first featured artist, Jay Kelsall.  He has brought us three of his pieces to showcase in the taproom to help us warm up our walls in this cold weather.  We will also be looking for other local artists to contribute throughout the year so that we have a continuous rotation to liven up your visit with us.  If you are interested please contact me at jean@funkwerks.com with a few attachments of the art you would like featured.

Remember to always drink responsibly and to enjoy every last drop!

Cheers,

Jean

Bottles Will Be Arriving Soon!

We often receive questions about when bottles of Saison and White will be coming out. We plan to have bottles of Saison in the tap room fridge starting this Thursday. With a few local accounts coming on line over the next few weeks. White should be coming out in bottles in early March.

-Brad