Fête de la Funk celebrates sours, saisons and farmhouse ales

This event is for the beer enthusiasts who enjoy a little extra “funk” when they drink. For the second consecutive year, the New Mexico Brewers Guild is organizing Fête de la Funk, which celebrates sours, saisons and other farmhouse ales. Ten breweries will be offering their funkiest options at Flock of Moons Brewing Company on Saturday, April 19. “These are styles that the general public probably isn’t gonna like,” said Ebbie Edmonston, NMBG executive director. “But it’s that specific type of beer nerd, they absolutely love it.” Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sister Bar held a sour beer festival entitled Tart at Heart at its Downtown location. The tradition was revived last year with the inaugural Fête de la Funk event at Rowley Farmhouse Ales, a Santa Fe-based brewery and farm-to-table gastropub that specializes in “rustic farmhouse and sour ales.” The first iteration was well received, and while Rowley Farmhouse Ales will be part of the festivities again, the second edition will take place in the Duke City. “We wanted to try (it) out just because we weren’t sure if we would have had more attendees if the first event had been in Albuquerque,” Edmonston said. “The guild started having an events committee, which helps decide a lot of the stuff for our events moving forward. Flock of Moons has been very active on the events committee this year. They wanted to host this event, and we’re more than welcome to have it. Plus, they have that beautiful patio.” For the uninitiated, “sour” isn’t necessarily all-encompassing when it comes to this genre of beer. “It’s a little bit confusing,” Edmonston said. “There’s the term farmhouse, which can describe a lot of different types of beer. It really just refers to whatever the farmers had on hand, (what) went into the beer during that season, and that’s where you get the term ‘saison.’ It’s the French word for season. “And a saison beer needs a certain type of yeast … And then when you’re talking about sour beers, you’re usually adding a type of bacteria … and that is actually turning the beer sour. But it’s turning it sour in a pleasant way.” While sours, saisons and the like aren’t necessarily mainstream, for aficionados like Edmonston, they can provide a nice change of pace. “It’s maybe more tart than like a punch you in the face (taste). But, usually sours are mixed,” Edmonston said. “They have some fruit added to it, so it’s like a balance of sweet and tart. That’s kind of why I like it. “I consider sours and saisons closer to how it is when you drink lemonade on a hot summer day. It’s tart but refreshing.” Those who purchase a ticket will get a sample of all the participating beers, one full pour of their choice and a commemorative glass. Edmonston says the event capacity is 250 people but doesn’t expect it to sell out. There will also be live music and a food truck with a special menu designed to complement the beer offerings. Considerations have also been made for how the selection of sours might affect the digestive system. “We will have Underberg there, which is a herbal digestif,” Edmonston said. “That is what you would drink in Europe if you would drink this style of beer. “Let’s be honest, sour beers can upset the stomach because of the acidity. But we’ve thought about that. If you don’t like herbal stuff, maybe bring your Pepto. Just be safe, drink plenty of water and, yeah, come out for a good time. Support local beer.”

Fête de la Funk

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19

WHERE: Flock of Moons Brewing Company, 111 Harvard Drive SE

HOW MUCH: $25 early bird pricing through March 31, $30 regular, at eventbrite.com