Sudwerk – Funke Hop Farm

DAVIS, CA. — In the two most competitive beer competitions in California, Sudwerk Brewing Company’s Fünke Hop Farm won golds at both the San Diego International Beer Competition and the California State Fair.

Beer judges, critics and customers are praising this zesty, tangy beer. Earning a rating of 100 on RateBeer’s 100-point scale, Sacramento Bee beer columnist Blair Anthony Robertson suggested it’s “the best beer in the Sacramento region.” Robertson also called Sudwerk’s barrel-aging program “outstanding but underrated.”

Fünke Hop Farm won gold for Brett and Other Sour Beer at the San Diego International Beer Competition, and gold for Mixed-Fermentation Beer at the California State Fair Commercial Beer Competition. The San Diego contest is the largest in the state and one of the most competitive in the U.S., with 1,374 entries this year. The state fair is the second-largest commercial beer contest in California. Results for both were announced in mid-June.

Beer fans can sample some the state’s award-winning beers July 16 at the Best of California Brewfest at Cal Expo. For more information, visithttp://www.castatefair.org/best-california-brewfest/.

Sudwerk beers earned several medals this summer: Rye of the Lager won the gold for Rye Beer in the San Diego contest; Northern Pilsner won silver among Pilsners at the state fair, as did Hefeweizen Bavarian Wheat for the German Wheat and Rye Beer category; and Märzen Amber Lager won a bronze for Amber Lager at the San Diego competition.

Fünke Hop Farm is a sour saison aged for six months in Petite Syrah and Grenache wine barrels. It’s dry-hopped after aging, creating a unique blend of sour, citrus and stone fruit flavors. Sudwerk co-owner Trent Yackzan calls it a “gateway sour,” for its subtle, well-balanced flavors. “Our goal with this beer is to introduce people to something they’ve never tried before and to create a style that helps define the Sacramento region as a global beer destination.” It has 6.5 percent alcohol by volume, and 15 International Bittering Units.

Now it’s just a matter of keeping up with demand, Yackzan said. “It’s exclusive in that we can’t make enough of it.” Originally part of its Brewers’ Cut membership series, Fünke Hop Farm is available in 750 ml bottles at Sudwerk’s taproom, The Dock, and select Nugget and Raley’s markets. More will debut by August — to a wider distribution — in 330 ml bottles.

Building on more than 25 years of family legacy and brewing tradition, Sudwerk Brewing Co. specializes in artisanal brews, specifically West Coast craft lagers. Its taproom, The Dock, at 2001 Second St., Davis, Calif., is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 2 to 8 p.m. on weekends. It offers a rotating menu of experimental and innovative beers, “honest pints” and growler fills, fresh White Labs brewers’ yeast, and good conversation. Learn more athttp://sudwerkbrew.com.