Sierra Nevada Brewing Delivers Summertime Beers
Sometimes that saying of “everything that is old is new again” even rings true in brewing. One such brewery that is living up to this is Sierra Nevada Brewing. The nearly 45-year-old craft brewery has brought back a few old favorites for the summer. But it’s not all nostalgia at the brewery because Sierra Nevada has also debuted two brand new beers!
Making its debut is Crisp Little Thing and Tropical Little Thing. The first lager in the Little Thing collection makes its debut. Crisp Little Thing can only be found in the new Little Things Party Pack. The variety 12-pack of 12-ounce cans also includes Hazy Little Thing, Sunny Little Thing a citrus wheat ale, and Big Little Thing an imperial IPA.
Tropical Little Thing debuts as part of the Little Things first limited-edition rotating series of Hazy IPAs. This one follows Juicy Little Thing and is available in 6-packs.
When it comes to nostalgia beers, Sierra Nevada has fully re-introduced Summerfest after a short hiatus. The brewer had discontinued the beer on a national level while replacing it with a hazy IPA. Now Summerfest returns with full distribution and a slightly tweaked ingredient list. This year the lager features a newer winter barley called Thunder, sourced through Western Rivers Conservancy. Grown along Oregon’s John Day River, this field of Thunder is near a critical steelhead spawning tributary. Through sustainable farming, Thunder supports soil health, builds soil carbon, and helps maintain water quality where it’s needed most.
Then the ultimate nostalgia variety pack makes its debut in June 2023 with the Fan Favorites Pack. This special collection includes four of Sierra Nevada’s most requested “comeback” beers. The brewery collected info from fan inquiries over the last several years and determined that these four were the top, most-requested beers fans wanted to see be re-released. This variety pack includes Hop Hunter IPA, Ruthless Rye IPA, Nooner Pilsner and Flipside Red IPA.
No doubt Sierra Nevada has you covered for your summer drinking with so many styles from classic lagers, old school IPAs, and trendy hazy IPAs. Here are descriptions from the brewery on each of these releases.
Crisp Little Thing
- Tasting Notes: Designed to be crushable, this beer has premium malts and is easy on the hops, providing a laidback and refreshing taste.
- IBU: 18
- ABV: 4.7%
- Availability: Crisp Little Thing is permanently and exclusively available in the Little Things Party Pack, which is a 12pk variety of 12oz cans also including Hazy Little Thing, Sunny Little Thing and Big Little Thing.
Summerfest (LIMITED EDITION)
- Tasting Notes: This golden bright pilsner encompasses a balancing and delicate, yet complex malt alongside spicy, floral hops. Hints of lemon zest lead into a dry finish.
- IBU: 28
- ABV: 5.0%
- Availability: Only available April-July 2023
Tropical Little Thing
- Tasting Notes: This IPA features Cascade, SabroTM, SultanaTM, El Dorado and Amarillo hops with two-row pale, Oats, Wheat and Munich malt.
- IBU: 39
- ABV: 7.0%
- Availability: Available May-August 2023
Fan Favorites Pack
This special collection includes four of Sierra Nevada’s most requested “comeback” beers. The brewery collected info from fan inquiries over the last several years and determined that these four were the top, most-requested beers fans wanted to see be re-released. Hence the name, Fan Favorites Pack! The brews in the limited time only pack include Hop Hunter IPA, Ruthless Rye IPA, Nooner Pilsner and Flipside Red IPA.
Hop Hunter IPA
- Tasting Notes:With a bright hop aroma and flavor, this IPA is bursting with floral and citrus notes. It is delightfully invigorating on the taste buds but goes down smooth.
- IBU: 60
- ABV: 6.2%
Ruthless Rye IPA
- Tasting Notes:Rye is prominent in the flavor profile, lending a spicy black-pepper-like flavor for this beer. It is a rugged IPA with fruity, citrus, and herbal hop notes countered by the dry spiciness of the rye.
- IBU: 58
- ABV: 6.6%
Nooner Pilsner
- Tasting Notes: This easy drinking pilsner is filled with spicy and floral whole-cone hops. It is refreshing, and hits just right with the level of hoppy bitterness.
- IBU: 38
- ABV: 5,2%
Flipside Red IPA
- Tasting Notes: Ruby-red in color due to the malt, this IPA has a deep malt flavor coupled with huge tropical and citrusy hops.
- IBU: 55
- ABV: 6.2%
To locate any of these beers or any other beer from Sierra Nevada Brewing, use the Sierra Nevada Brew Finder. Visit sierranevada.com to learn more.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.