Funky Buddha: Tropical Sunrise

My Extreme Beer Box arrived unexpectedly today so I'm celebrating my opening a couple of them!

First up is Funky Buddha's Tropical Sunrise.



I have to be honest, I went in with some fairly low expectations after reading a few other reviews here. I was hoping going in with a low bar set would mean I would be impressed?

Unfortunately that was not the case! I suppose this beer is just not for me.

As others have noted, the primary two detractions I would make are to the appearance and nose. It poured a murky maroon and its head dissipated quickly, leaving left little lacing. The nose was off-putting to say the least, though I recognize that my general dislike for tequila may make be biased here. The nose was mostly tequila with a touch of pomegranate and orange, though the fruit notes were comparatively subdued as they smelled like they were drowned in tequila.

The taste followed the nose, thought it was slightly more palatable than the nose suggested. I do agree with other reviews that this improved slightly as it warmed, and the times that I took a sip while inhaling through my nostrils less actually led to better results, though I'm not sure if that's a compliment to the beer.

I made it about 3/4 through before drain pouring the rest and felt fairly proud of myself for doing so. At that point my tolerance for consuming the beer and my sunk cost fallacy had at last reached equilibrium.

Overall: As someone who does not particularly like tequila I very likely am not in the target demographic for this beer, but that being said I've had other tequila barrel-aged beers that I enjoyed much more so I can't necessarily blame it fully on that.

Look: 2.5, Smell: 2,5, Taste: 3.25, Feel: 3.5, Overall: 3

 

Guess I'm one of the few so far to really love this beer. Agree that the appearance isn't great, but I put zero weight in how a beer looks -- I drink it for the taste. Nose is pomegranate and alcohol, taste is orange creamsicle mixed with the leafy plant-like flavor of tequila. Mouthfeel is extremely thick, though this could be partially due to the cold temperature I started at. Very unique and cocktail-like, and a complete winner for me. I would buy a six-pack of this.

 

As with many others here I was intrigued by the unique flavor conglomeration, but was immediately put off by my first taste. It's unclear what this strange brew is "supposed" to be, yet that's almost a requirement for an Extreme Beer. I'll let it warm a bit longer, but have little confidence my impression will evolve sufficiently to ever really enjoy this murky brew. My main complaint, as with too many Big Beers, is it is WAY too sweet. C'mon, brewers, let that yeast have its fill! It WANTS to grace us with more alcohol by eating up even more sugar!

 

OK, after splashing a little tequila into the last ounce I solved the problem: now it's a pretty rich, tasty tropical cocktail!

 

Think I might have to try this if I'm not too drunk by that point

 

Fourth out of the box and I hated it served from the fridge. Let it warm. And still hated it. Adored the raisiny flavor, but could not get past the tequila which was obnoxious. It’s extreme and I do appreciate the opportunity to try it but happy to move on.

 

This was my first one from the Extreme Beer Box, and it’s just… weird. I might have enjoyed it without the pomegranate and orange, but as it was I poured out about half of it - even after letting the temp come up as others have suggested. I’m sure I’ll like some of the others in the box more!

 

Dear god this beer is awful! It tastes like if you let apple cider sit in a window for 3 days and drink it later. The aroma and taste were both gag reflex worthy. Funky Buddha, you have let me down!

 

I am descended from a long line of “ drinkers and smokers.” On first blush, the aroma reminds me of a cigarette ash tray, the cheap plastic ones about 3” diameter, full of Chesterfield Kings and Pall Malls. The family beer of choice was Genessee Cream Ale. I don’t know. This brings me home a bit. Sure, it’s an “elevated” cream ale, but it’s very approachable. The ABV brings kick, but you don’t notice it until it’s too late. The pomegranate and orange bring up the rear, bringing a very nice linger to the sips.

 

Despite what others said, it did not get better as it warmed and opened up.

 

Right down the drain

 

I agree with all of the above - we poured it in glasses and it was cloudy with a very odd nose to it. Flavor did get better as it warmed up - but I think my biggest objection to this beer is how it’s labeled. If they sold it as a barrel aged beer that tastes more like a cocktail - maybe expectations would be different. It didn’t taste like a cream ale - but did smell and taste like raisins.

 

It was ok. Glad to try it; wouldn't have a second. There was something about the taste. I didn't think it was awful, but it wasn't all that tasty either.

 

Since that thread is closed, I'll leave my reply here:

"dominated by that tequila ... sadness and bad life choices."

Nailed it!

 

I want to like it, I do, but that tequila is like my toddler past her bedtime- every minute it sits out it just become harder and harder to bear until you want to say fuck this and walk out of the house for the next 16 years. I don’t see anything about tequila on the label, it says oak barrels. As this is my first Funky Buddha beer, I have to ask, do they know you are supposed to empty the tequila barrel before adding the beer?
I’m not put off by the color of the beer as some are, but I am put off by the color of the floaties on the beer of which there is a lot and they are much lighter than the beer creating what looks like a chunky beer.
This rumbling in my tummy leads me to believe the goal of this beer was to recreate that about to barf flavor you get when you’ve had too many tequila shots your first night out at a bar.

 

That is a colorful review my friend. Everyone's hate for this beer really just makes me wanna try it even more now lol