Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Ale
A Genre-Defying Wheat IPA Hybrid
Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Little Sumpin’ Ale is a testament to American craft brewing innovation. It boldly straddles multiple beer styles to create something uniquely compelling. This 19.2-oz offering showcases how thoughtful brewing can transcend traditional style guidelines while maintaining coherence and drinkability.
The Hybrid Approach
What makes Little Sumpin’ particularly interesting is its successful fusion of wheat beer characteristics with American IPA sensibilities. Rather than feeling like a compromise between styles, it presents as a deliberate and well-executed hybrid that leverages the best attributes of both traditions.
Appearance
The beer pours with a slightly hazy, golden-straw complexion—more transparent than a traditional hefeweizen but with a subtle wheat haze that suggests its partial wheat malt bill. A robust, creamy white head demonstrates excellent retention, leaving elegant lacing down the glass.
Aroma
The nose immediately signals this isn’t your typical wheat beer. Bold American hop aromatics lead with citrus and pine notes, while subtle wheat bread and light fruit esters provide an intriguing backbone. The aroma profile leans toward IPA territory while maintaining subtle wheat beer complexity.
Flavor
Little Sumpin’ truly shines on the taste. The initial sip presents a smooth, wheat-derived softness, quickly evolving into a symphony of hop flavors. Citrus, tropical fruit, and pine notes dance across the palate without overwhelming the delicate wheat characteristics. The malt backbone provides enough sweetness to balance the hop presence, creating a remarkably harmonious drinking experience.
Mouthfeel
Perhaps the beer’s greatest technical achievement is its texture. The wheat proteins contribute a silky smoothness that is often missing in traditional IPAs while maintaining enough crispness to prevent palate fatigue. The body is medium-full but never heavy, and the carbonation perfectly complements the wheat and hop elements.
Drinkability
Despite its complexity, Little Sumpin’ remains remarkably approachable. Thanks to its balanced nature, the 19.2 oz format allows for a generous serving that remains enjoyable throughout. The finish is clean enough to encourage another sip while providing enough hop character to satisfy IPA enthusiasts.
Overall Impression
Lagunitas has achieved something special with Little Sumpin’ Ale. It’s a beer that successfully appeals to wheat beer and IPA fans without feeling like a compromise for either camp. The technical execution is impressive, maintaining consistency and balance while juggling multiple style elements.
The 119.2-oz can format is an excellent vessel for this brew. It protects the hop characteristics while providing a generous serving size that suits the beer’s approachable nature.
Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect for:
- Introducing IPA skeptics to hop-forward beers
- Summer barbecues
- Pairing with spicy foods or fresh seafood
- Those moments when you can’t decide between a wheat beer and an IPA
Notable Technical Achievement: The seamless integration of wheat beer smoothness with IPA hop character, without either element overwhelming the other.