A stalwart Fort Collins brewery is shuttering its taproom after 15 years, but its beers won’t disappear completely.
, which carved out a niche for its farmhouse-style ales, announced Tuesday it will close its brick-and-mortar at 1900 E. Lincoln Ave., Unit B in Fort Collins. The last day of business there will be Nov. 1, when the brewery hosts a goodbye party from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Opened in 2010, Funkwerks is the brainchild of founders Brad Lincoln and Gordon Schuck, who met in 2009 while studying brewing science at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. Its ethos centers around Belgian styles, such as the saison, which leverage yeast to develop fruity esters and flavors. It also produces sour ales, including a Flemish-style Oud Bruin that won a silver medal at the 2022 World Beer Cup.
Though the taproom will close this winter, Funkerwerks beer is still expected to be available at stores throughout Colorado. Since 2024, the brewery has brewed its beer at Denver Beer Co.’s production facility in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Shortly after contracting out brewing operations, Lincoln teamed up with Charlie Berger of Denver Beer Co. and Eric Foster of Stem Ciders to create Wilding Brands, a locally-based craft beverage conglomerate.
Wilding also owns Station 26 Brewing and Great Divide Brewing. Great Divide’s longtime owner, Brian Dunn, closed both its taprooms after the sale. Wilding recently rebranded a storefront in RiNo to feature Great Divide beers.
“Itap been an honor to serve the Fort Collins community and all of our fans,” Lincoln, who now serves as CFO of Wilding Brands, said in a statement. “While itap always sad to close a taproom, I’m excited for whatap ahead for Funkwerks and Wilding Brands.”
Fans can stop by the Nov. 1 party to enjoy live music by Fort Collins band Shake Me, Wake Me, bites from the Scrooge Maki food truck, and final inventory specials. There will also be a ‘kick the keg’ challenge with prizes, merch deals, and keepsakes to take home a piece of Funkwerks history.
