Rare Barrel Crocodile Fun-Dee 12.7OZ

Rare Barrel Crocodile Fun-Dee 12.7OZ is a 7.1% ABV golden sour beer aged in oak barrels with pineapple and apricot, brewed in Berkeley, California. This mixed-culture sour stands out for its layered combination of tropical and stone fruit in a single barrel-aged base, delivering pronounced acidity alongside funky barrel character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.1%  |  Origin: Berkeley, California  |  Golden Sour Ale  |  Brewery: The Rare Barrel

Production & Heritage

The Rare Barrel built its reputation as one of the few American breweries dedicated almost exclusively to sour and wild ales. The Berkeley facility was acquired by Cellarmaker Brewing in 2022, though production continues under The Rare Barrel brand. Crocodile Fun-Dee begins as a golden sour base fermented with a house mixed culture of yeast and bacteria, then aged in oak barrels with additions of pineapple and apricot. The dual-fruit approach distinguishes it from single-fruit sours in the lineup, allowing the tropical brightness of pineapple to play against the rounder sweetness of apricot while the oak and mixed culture provide depth and tartness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe tropical fruit leads the nose, followed by a wave of stone fruit sweetness and subtle oak-driven funk. A light barnyard character emerges as the beer warms, typical of mixed-culture fermentation.

Taste: The entry is bright and acidic, with pineapple juice-like tartness hitting first. At mid-palate, apricot softness rounds out the acidity, and barrel-derived tannins add a gentle grip. The fruit flavors merge with a funky, slightly earthy mixed-culture backbone that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering tropical acidity and a dry, tart close. A faint oak note and residual fruitiness carry through the final sip.

How to Drink Crocodile Fun-Dee

Serve chilled in a tulip glass or stemmed wine glass at around 45–50°F to let the fruit and barrel complexity open up fully. This is a sipping beer best enjoyed on its own to appreciate the layered acidity and fruit interplay. It also works as a base for a Berliner Shandy, topped with a small splash of lemonade to amplify the tropical character. Try it alongside a Sour Beer Mimosa in place of champagne for a brunch alternative that leans tart. A Fruit Sour Float with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream creates an indulgent contrast between the beer's acidity and creamy sweetness.

Best For

• Gifting a sour beer enthusiast exploring barrel-aged wild ales
• Warm-weather afternoon sipping sessions where bright acidity refreshes
• Pairing alongside a cheese board or charcuterie spread
• Adding variety to a curated sour beer tasting flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crocodile Fun-Dee taste like? Crocodile Fun-Dee delivers bright tropical acidity from pineapple and softer stone-fruit sweetness from apricot, layered over a funky, oak-aged golden sour base. The overall impression is tart, fruity, and dry with noticeable mixed-culture complexity.

How does Crocodile Fun-Dee compare to Rare Barrel Map of the Sun? Map of the Sun is a golden sour aged in oak barrels with apricot only, while Crocodile Fun-Dee adds pineapple to the apricot, introducing a more pronounced tropical and tart dimension. Both share the same mixed-culture fermentation approach, but the dual-fruit bill in Crocodile Fun-Dee creates a brighter, more layered flavor profile.

Is Crocodile Fun-Dee good for sipping neat? Yes, this beer is designed for thoughtful sipping from a tulip or wine glass where its barrel character and fruit complexity can be fully appreciated. The 7.1% ABV keeps it sessionable enough to enjoy without rushing.

Where is Crocodile Fun-Dee made? Crocodile Fun-Dee is brewed by The Rare Barrel in Berkeley, California, a brewery dedicated primarily to sour and wild ale production. The Rare Barrel has operated under Cellarmaker Brewing's ownership since 2022.

What foods pair well with Crocodile Fun-Dee? Aged gouda or gruyère complement the beer's tartness with rich, nutty contrast. Fresh ceviche mirrors its bright acidity and tropical fruit notes. A fruit tart or panna cotta echoes the apricot and pineapple flavors. Soft-ripened cheeses like brie balance the funk, and grilled shrimp with citrus glaze harmonizes with the overall acidity.

What sizes does Crocodile Fun-Dee come in? Crocodile Fun-Dee is available in a 12.7 oz (375 ml) bottle, a standard format for specialty and barrel-aged sour ales.

Is Crocodile Fun-Dee worth the price? Crocodile Fun-Dee positions as a premium specialty sour ale, reflecting the labor-intensive process of mixed-culture fermentation and extended oak barrel aging with real fruit additions. For fans of American wild ales, the complexity and craftsmanship represent strong value within the barrel-aged sour category.

Why Crocodile Fun-Dee?

What separates Crocodile Fun-Dee from the crowded field of fruited sours is its foundation in genuine barrel aging and mixed-culture fermentation rather than kettle-souring shortcuts. The combination of pineapple and apricot in a single barrel-aged golden sour is uncommon, giving the beer a tropical-meets-stone-fruit identity that neither ingredient achieves alone. The Rare Barrel's singular focus on sour and wild ales — rare among American craft breweries — means this beer benefits from years of house culture development and oak management. For drinkers seeking an authentic, complex sour with real fruit depth, Crocodile Fun-Dee delivers a well-balanced and genuinely engaging drinking experience.