Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale 12Pk

Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale 12Pk is a hoppy pale wheat ale brewed at 7.5% ABV, sold here as a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles. Scoring 93 out of 100 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 10,000 ratings, this beer bridges the gap between hop-heavy IPAs and smooth, drinkable wheat ales — a combination that has earned it a devoted following since its introduction.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: Pale Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, California, before relocating to Petaluma, where it operates today. A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' is built on a 50/50 grain bill of wheat and malted barley — a ratio that gives the beer its distinctively silky body while still supporting aggressive hop character. The hop bill is extensive: Willamette, Santiam, Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus all contribute layers of citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous pine. That seven-hop combination layered over a wheat-forward base is what separates this beer from standard IPAs and traditional wheat ales alike.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bread and pale malt greet the nose first, followed by waves of citrus zest, pineapple, and a faint hint of bubblegum from the wheat. A light cedar and pine resin character lingers underneath.

Taste: The entry is sweet and tropical — tangerine, ripe orange, and a flash of peach — before a grassy, wheaty mid-palate takes hold. The back end pivots decisively toward hops, with grapefruit pith and piney bitterness rising through the silky mouthfeel. Despite its 7.5% ABV, the alcohol is well-integrated and rarely intrusive.

Finish: Medium-long with a zesty, lingering bitterness balanced by residual wheat sweetness. The final impression is clean, dry, and distinctly hop-forward without astringency.

How to Drink A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'

Pour it into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint at around 45–50°F to let the aromatic hop oils open up fully. It drinks well straight from the bottle on a warm afternoon, but the glass pour rewards with a more pronounced tropical nose.

• Beer-a-Rita: The wheat body and citrus hop profile make a natural base for a beer cocktail with fresh lime juice and a salted rim.
• Michelada: Its bold hop character stands up to tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire without getting lost.
• Shandy: Cut with fresh lemonade, the tropical and citrus notes amplify into a refreshing lower-ABV summer drink.

Best For

• IPA lovers looking for a smoother, wheat-softened alternative
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where sessionability at 7.5% matters
• Introducing hefeweizen drinkers to hop-forward styles without overwhelming bitterness
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend with a crowd that spans beer preferences

Frequently Asked Questions

What does A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' taste like? It leads with bright tropical fruit — pineapple, tangerine, and orange — over a soft, silky wheat body, then finishes with assertive hop bitterness carrying notes of grapefruit and pine.

How does A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' compare to Three Floyds Gumballhead? Both are American wheat ales with a pronounced hop presence, but Gumballhead is lighter at 5.6% ABV with a more restrained bitterness and narrower hop bill. A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' runs hotter at 7.5% ABV with seven hop varieties delivering a more complex, layered tropical and resinous profile.

Is A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' good for IPA fans? Yes — its seven-hop bill and firm bitterness satisfy IPA cravings, while the 50% wheat mash provides a softer, creamier mouthfeel than a typical West Coast IPA.

Where is A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' made? It is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at its main brewery in Petaluma, California, where the company has operated since relocating from its original Lagunitas, CA location in the mid-1990s.

What foods pair well with A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the tropical hop character. Spicy Thai curry benefits from the wheat body's cooling effect. A classic cheeseburger matches the malty backbone. Fish and chips work well against the citrus bitterness. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the beer's tangy finish.

What sizes does A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' come in? This listing is a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles; the beer is also commonly available in six-packs and single 12 oz bottles.

Is A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' worth the price? It positions in the mid-range craft tier and delivers considerable complexity for its price point — a 93-rated beer on BeerAdvocate with a distinctive 50/50 wheat-barley mash and seven-hop recipe represents strong value among American craft ales.

Why A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'?

The 50/50 wheat-to-malted-barley grain bill is the defining move here — it is not a minor wheat addition for body, but a full commitment that creates a genuinely silky texture rarely found in beers this hop-forward. Seven distinct hop varieties build a layered aromatic and flavor profile that evolves from tropical sweetness through citrus zest to resinous pine. A 93 score on BeerAdvocate from nearly 10,000 reviews reflects broad, sustained enthusiasm rather than hype. This is a beer that occupies its own lane between IPA and wheat ale, and it has held that ground for years.