Apricot Provincial coming from Funkwerks in March

Following up the 4-pack release of its year-round Raspberry Provincial in the fall of 2015, Funkwerks has announced the addition of a new Belgian-style fruit beer with similar naming to its seasonal lineup.

Apricot Provincial, slated as the brewery's spring seasonal, is a sessionable Belgian-style sour ale with an ABV of 4.2%. It was brewed with a unique 24-hour warm souring technique using lactobacillus in the wort, then fermented with a Belgian yeast strain famous for its fruit character. The chosen yeast is said to be the perfect compliment to the fruit, resulting in a beer with a citrusy apricot aroma that transitions into a subtlety sweet and tart finish.

"It's the perfect beer to bring in the spring season because of its light citrus flavor and delightful apricot notes," says Gordon Schuck, co-founder and head brewer of Funkwerks.

According to a press release, Apricot Provincial will be available in 4-packs of 330 mL bottles, with deliveries to retail outlets in North Texas to occur by late March.

Funkwerks to offer Nelson Sauvin year-round in 4-packs

Image credit: Funkwerks.

Becoming the latest beer to be packaged by the brewery in smaller-format 330 mL bottles, Funkwerks has announced the addition of Nelson Sauvin to its year-round lineup.

A single-hopped saison ale, Nelson Sauvin is named after the hop variety that is used in its making. It's described by Funkwerks as having the "aroma of gooseberries, honeydew melon and a hint of spiciness from the brewery's house saison yeast strain."

As for the hop itself, the Nelson Sauvin variety comes from New Zealand and is known for its distinctive white wine character. In this case, the hops work with the addition of Muscat grape juice to enhance the beer's fruit attributes, while also contributing to its crisp, dry finish.

"We've brewed Nelson a few times as an experimental [release] and it has always been very popular, particularly among our staff" says Gordon Shuck, co-founder and head brewer. Now, not only will the beer be available full-time, customers will also have the convenience of being able to purchase it in 4-packs of 330 ml bottles. Funkwerks began bottling in the smaller format last year, a decision co-founder Brad Lincoln suggests was influenced by the fact that "people tend to save larger bottles of beer for a special occasion or to share with others." With smaller bottles, he explains, people can purchase and enjoy a single beer without having to commit to something larger.

According to a press release, bottles of Nelson Sauvin should arrive in North Texas by late February.

Andrews announces partnership with Funkwerks, Inc.

Image credit: Funkwerks, Inc.

Today, Andrews Distributing has announced a new partnership with renowned saison and Belgian-style brewer, Funkwerks, Inc. of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Brewery founders Gordan Schuck and Brad Lincoln met while attending the Siebel Institute in Chicago, eventually going on to establish Funkwerks in 2009. They created their award-winning Saison recipe in Schuck's backyard prior to stepping up to a one-barrel system in 2010. Since then, their beers have won awards at both the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup.

Kelli Hopson, Andrews brand manager for the brewery, noted that "Funkwerks has built a unique portfolio focused around saison-style beers" and "Andrews is thrilled to share this world-class beer with local beer lovers in Dallas/Fort Worth."

According to a press release, initial shipments of the brewery's beers will arrive in North Texas after the first of the year, with an official launch on track for January 12, 2015. Both Schuck and Lincoln are expected to travel to the Metroplex that week to attend events celebrating the brewery's arrival at Andrews retailers across the area.

Once on sale locally, Funkwerks' Saison, along with Tropic King and Deceit will be available on draft and in 750 mL bottles. Consumers will also be able to purchase the Saison and Tropic King in 330 mL four-packs.

Further details will be released closer to launch. In the meantime, for more information on Funkwerks, visit their website at www.funkwerks.com.