$9.98 per 25.4-ounce bottle
Colorado always seems to be adding to its roster of standout craft brewers, and a relatively new arrival is Funkwerks, which opened in Fort Collins in 2009. Funkwerks’ dedication to Belgian style is exemplified in its flagship brew, simply named Saison. It’s a near-perfect version of the farmhouse style, a cloudy golden pour that’s bottle- conditioned with live yeast. Loads of carbonation give it a huge, dense, egg-white-like head that takes its time settling and bursts with fruity aroma. Five malts yield a bready sweetness upfront, with notes of apricot, orange, coriander and banana making for an uplifting flavor. There’s classic Belgian funk and earthiness in the middle, followed by a sharp hop bite on the finish. This is a superbly drinkable beer that’s ideal for warm weather, as saisons were made originally for Belgian farmworkers. Recommended for cellaring for up to two years. Alcohol by volume of 6.8 percent is just right. Funkwerks Inc., Fort Collins;
Marcus Chamberland; mchamberland@denverpost.com
