55 Funk - Sugar Plum Gumdrop
Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company

 

As it sits in a clear glass liter mug, after a pint can was emptied, it looks much like a modern IPA. There's a sizeable amount of stark white foam on top of a liquid lightly copper-amber in color and just a bit cloudy. The aroma is vaguely fruity and manages to seem both sweet and sour, or at least tart. To taste, it's both tart and sour, with that combination overpowering any sweetness. The name becomes wonderfully misleading, as this is no where near sugary sweet. Just like for the nose, there's no heavy plum taste, just enough for a fruity inclusion in a delightfully sour and tart brew. As with the good releases from this brewery, there's no taste of the alcohol, commendable at 8% ABV. There's almost no glass lacing, but that's not part of an Imperial sour's makeup. The body and mouthfeel are ideal for the tastes it delivers. This is dangerously good.

Canned 12/1/22

Of all the 55 Funks I’ve tried, this has got to be the strangest one. Sugar plums and gumdrops? I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of those in a beer, let alone together. Let’s crack into this very odd and festive beer and see what it has to offer

Pours a cloudy deep gold with 2 fingers of creamy off white head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves minimal lacing

This doesn’t even smell particularly fruity as I expected, but there’s a nice balance to it. I’m picking up on aromas of tart plum, crackery malt, lemon zest, sweet gumdrop, custard, light juniper, and toffee

It’s much fruitier in taste with a more aggressive tartness which I really appreciate. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting tart plum, lemon juice, black cherry, crackery malt, sugary gumdrop, juniper berry, and light tea. The swallow brings notes of tart plum, lemon zest, custard, black cherry, sugary gumdrop, crackery malt, lime juice, and light juniper

A medium body pairs with moderate carbonation, resulting in a sharp and tart beer. Finishes bone dry and refreshing, drinking well below its abv

This is by far the best variant I’ve tried. It’s super unique and drinks incredibly easy. I’ll have to get more