In 2007 Gordon Schuck's recipe design and brewing skills resulted in a gold medal-winning Saison at the National Homebrew Competition. Brad Lincoln first experienced craft beer while working as an accountant in Portland, OR. The two met during the winter of 2009 while attending the Siebel Institute and studying brewing science. After being immersed in beer for the better part of five months, the two graduated and shared a desire to open a brewery. This resulted in the Saison-focused brewery that is now Funkwerks. Saisons originated as Belgian farmhouse ales, brewed for farm workers during summer months. Usually having a dry profile and complex fruity aromas, Saisons today are brewed year-round and generally have a higher alcohol percentage than their original versions. Although Funkwerks’ niche is in the Saison style, Funkwerks experiments with a range of Belgian style beers and have several barrel projects in progress now, including Oud Bruin, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Quad and other experimentals. Funkwerks was awarded 5 medals in 4 years. In 2011 Funkwerks flagship Saison was awarded a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival. In 2012 Funkwerks was named Small Brewing Company of the Year, and received two gold medals for Saison and Deceit, a Belgian-style golden strong. Deceit was also awarded a silver medal in 2014 at the World Beer Cup. And in 2014, Raspberry Provincial won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.