Funkwerks Tropic King
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Tasting Notes
Tropic King leads with a burst of ripe mango, passionfruit, and orange peel on the nose, driven by a combination of Belgian yeast character and what is reportedly dry-hopped tropical hop additions. On the palate, the fruity esters from the yeast blend with a firm spice — white pepper and clove — before a drying, slightly tart finish that's characteristic of the saison form. The body is medium-light, with carbonation that keeps things lively without being aggressive. At 8%, the alcohol is present but woven in cleanly, adding warmth rather than heat to the close.
About the Brewery
Funkwerks is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, a city with a notably dense and competitive craft brewing scene. Founded around 2010, the brewery built its reputation almost entirely around the saison style, which was an unusual focus for an American craft brewery at the time. They've won multiple Great American Beer Festival medals for their saison work and are widely credited with helping bring the style to broader American craft audiences. Their lineup stays relatively tight and style-focused rather than chasing trends.
Food Pairings
The fruity, spicy character here works well with Thai green curry, where the yeast-driven tropical notes mirror the dish's lemongrass and coconut without competing with its heat. Grilled shrimp with mango salsa echoes the beer's fruit profile while the carbonation cuts through the fat. A washed-rind cheese like Taleggio pairs naturally because the beer's earthy yeast and slight tartness meet the cheese's funk on even footing. For something simpler, roast chicken seasoned with citrus and herbs lets the saison's spice and fruit frame the savory without overwhelming it.
Style Guide
Saison originated in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium, historically brewed in winter for farmhands to drink through the harvest season. The style is defined by its highly expressive Belgian yeast, which produces fruity esters and spicy phenols — particularly pepper and clove — against a dry, attenuating finish and lively carbonation. ABV ranges widely, from around 5% up to 8% or beyond for stronger interpretations sometimes called saison provisions. What separates saison from witbier is the absence of wheat's haze and softness, and from Belgian tripel it's the dryness and rustic funk rather than sweetness and high-alcohol richness.