Try?
Earlier this year (or was it end of last year?), I bought a bottle of Wild Heaven Funkenrauch at Sherlock’s in Marietta. I thought it was a bit expensive for a fifth bottle, but hey, it sounded amazing, I really like this brewery and I splurged and bought it. Not too long after and before I had popped my bottle, I saw it on tap at Taco Mac and of course ordered up a glass. And that was where the fun began as soon as the bartender came over.
“Give me the Funkenrauch” I said.
“Excuse me? She replied.”
“The FUNKEN RAUCH” I repeated.
“I really don’t like your language, sir” she replied.
“OK, what do you want me to call it? I asked.”
“Call what?” she said.
“The Funkenrauch. Fun-ken-rauch. Bring me a glass. What do I have to do to get a Funkenrauch around here?”
She stormed off in a tizzy, but I did get my beer eventually. And OK, while I made most of that up, I do declare that she did look at me very strangely the first time I asked for the Funkenrauch, and we did have some fun with the name. So there.
From the label:
A truly new beer style is a rare thing. But Funkenrauch is born of brewmaster Eric’s obsession with understanding beer on a molecular level. A 100% smoked malt beer shouldn’t taste so bright and light - but the addition of brettanomyces eats up much of the smoky phenols that could have overwhelmed the palate, leaving behind a sour smoked beer that’s unlike any we’ve ever tried.
Wild Heaven Funkenrauch has an alcohol content of 7% by volume. I paid $12.99 for my bottle at Sherlock’s (and later saw it for $16.99 at Total Wine). At Taco Mac it ran me $10 for an 11 ounce glass, which is very high but we live but once.
Wild Heaven Funkenrauch pours to a pale golden color with a medium spritzy and quickly fading head and a heavenly nose of sour tartness laced with heady hickory smoke. Taking a sip the beer has a light crisp maltiness up front followed by tart sour funky yeasty notes and smoky hickory bacon notes. The beer finishes sour tart and smoky, and just amazes your mouth after each and every sip.
Wild Heaven Funkenrauch works, the subtle balance of gently acrid smoke and funky Brett notes are truly sublime. Only the price is concerning, yes this beer is on the high side, but it’s so truly wonderful that I would certainly buy it again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
