Bringing that Funk to Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has always been known as a beer town because of our rich history involving breweries of yesteryear. As the craft beer boom started expanding, Wisconsin was represented by a handful of craft breweries but was no longer known as the beer capital it once was. Today, we are seeing an influx of breweries all over Wisconsin that brings diversity and quality to our craft beer scene. Unfortunately for me it took a trip to Florida to find out that we have a serious contender in the "sour" beer category taking up shop right in Madison. Funk Factory Guezeria quietly came into the scene (well, maybe not too quietly....) and shook our worlds with some of the best lambic style beers I have had the pleasure of tasting. I got a chance to sit down with the now legendary Levi Funk for a few hours inside his barrel storage facility in Madison. As with our typical banter and conversation with brewers and brewery owners, most of what we discussed will never see the light of day. But I can share his story and really that is what is important here.
Levi has been a craft beer fan for ages. Living in Madison and not too far from some great craft beer bars, he was never short of new beers to try. It was through this passion and going to events that he fostered a relationship with Marc Buttera from O'so Brewery in Plover, Wisconsin. I have personally had the chance to meet Marc during my first Central Waters anniversary party a few years back. While we didn't get a chance to chat much the time he took to talk to me was funny and refreshing (He even took a picture with Roscoe... but I digress).
Fermentation inside a barrel is a very interesting thing to try and figure out. Levi wanted to learn more and what better way to do that is with some hands on experience. He was able to procure a wine barrel from a local spot near Madison and sourced some wort to throw in that barrel. Now you may be asking yourself, did he brew that wort himself? While I didn't ask that specifically I get the feeling the answer was no. And that is because Levi is not a brewer, he is a blender and we will get more into that later. Levi took many samples and notes to determine what was happening in his barrel. How the fermentation process changed the profile of the wort and how it changed and developed over time. It was yet another beer event that he ran into Marc again. After a few beers Levi started telling Marc about what he was hiding in his basement. Marc was intrigued enough that they took a trip to Levi's house to explore the liquid coming out of this barrel. With the nail out of the barrel and the beer in the glass, their relationship grew from brewer and beer fan to friendship and beer making. I believe this is where the term... the rest is history... applies.
Blender, not a a brewer. Levi has no physical brewing experience and as far as I know doesn't plan on brewing his own beers. Brewing is a science, Levi is an artist and that is where the blending process comes in. Tasting each barrel to determine not only when is it ready but what flavor profiles it presents and how those will interact with other barrels takes a refined palate and some imagination. Every blend will bring with it more experience and more comfort but every barrel can be unpredictable. Throw in the fruiting of lambics and a whole different set of difficulties can present itself. You have to know what goes well and what doesn't... and then possibly start experimenting with flavors that no one would imagine would blend well together. My palate is shot, so I have no chance in being successful trying this and that is why I appreciate the brewers and brew masters who can blend with the best of them. Levi sources wort from O'so Brewing and during the beginning years also stored his barrels there. Now he works his magic in his own space in Madison. Recently Levi has also sourced wort from Penrose Brewery, Octopi Brewery and Rivertown Brewery. This will give him an oppurtunity to blend with different wort to produce different flavors profiles. Levi is a huge fan of the wort from O'so and will continue to utilize them as much as possible.
What does the future hold for Funk Factory?? Hopefully lots more beer making! Levi has been looking into the idea of potentially having a tap room but he will have to ramp up production to have enough product to satisfy his biggest fans. Increased production is definitely in the works as he is researches the best way to do that. Funk Factory has merchandise for sale and Levi is always looking for ways to add to his selection. I, for one, will be buying a fitted hat if that shows up on his list.
I want to thank Levi again for sitting down with us and opening up his space. It's exciting to have someone with his skill set and passion blending amazing beers right here in Wisconsin. Next time I see you Levi, beers on me! Here's to next time!! Cheers!
Levi has been a craft beer fan for ages. Living in Madison and not too far from some great craft beer bars, he was never short of new beers to try. It was through this passion and going to events that he fostered a relationship with Marc Buttera from O'so Brewery in Plover, Wisconsin. I have personally had the chance to meet Marc during my first Central Waters anniversary party a few years back. While we didn't get a chance to chat much the time he took to talk to me was funny and refreshing (He even took a picture with Roscoe... but I digress).
Fermentation inside a barrel is a very interesting thing to try and figure out. Levi wanted to learn more and what better way to do that is with some hands on experience. He was able to procure a wine barrel from a local spot near Madison and sourced some wort to throw in that barrel. Now you may be asking yourself, did he brew that wort himself? While I didn't ask that specifically I get the feeling the answer was no. And that is because Levi is not a brewer, he is a blender and we will get more into that later. Levi took many samples and notes to determine what was happening in his barrel. How the fermentation process changed the profile of the wort and how it changed and developed over time. It was yet another beer event that he ran into Marc again. After a few beers Levi started telling Marc about what he was hiding in his basement. Marc was intrigued enough that they took a trip to Levi's house to explore the liquid coming out of this barrel. With the nail out of the barrel and the beer in the glass, their relationship grew from brewer and beer fan to friendship and beer making. I believe this is where the term... the rest is history... applies.
Blender, not a a brewer. Levi has no physical brewing experience and as far as I know doesn't plan on brewing his own beers. Brewing is a science, Levi is an artist and that is where the blending process comes in. Tasting each barrel to determine not only when is it ready but what flavor profiles it presents and how those will interact with other barrels takes a refined palate and some imagination. Every blend will bring with it more experience and more comfort but every barrel can be unpredictable. Throw in the fruiting of lambics and a whole different set of difficulties can present itself. You have to know what goes well and what doesn't... and then possibly start experimenting with flavors that no one would imagine would blend well together. My palate is shot, so I have no chance in being successful trying this and that is why I appreciate the brewers and brew masters who can blend with the best of them. Levi sources wort from O'so Brewing and during the beginning years also stored his barrels there. Now he works his magic in his own space in Madison. Recently Levi has also sourced wort from Penrose Brewery, Octopi Brewery and Rivertown Brewery. This will give him an oppurtunity to blend with different wort to produce different flavors profiles. Levi is a huge fan of the wort from O'so and will continue to utilize them as much as possible.
What does the future hold for Funk Factory?? Hopefully lots more beer making! Levi has been looking into the idea of potentially having a tap room but he will have to ramp up production to have enough product to satisfy his biggest fans. Increased production is definitely in the works as he is researches the best way to do that. Funk Factory has merchandise for sale and Levi is always looking for ways to add to his selection. I, for one, will be buying a fitted hat if that shows up on his list.
I want to thank Levi again for sitting down with us and opening up his space. It's exciting to have someone with his skill set and passion blending amazing beers right here in Wisconsin. Next time I see you Levi, beers on me! Here's to next time!! Cheers!
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