Lagunitas Sumpin' Easy 12Pk

Lagunitas Sumpin' Easy 12Pk is a 12-pack of the American pale wheat ale brewed with Ekuanot hops at 5.7% ABV. Scored 91/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing, this sessionable yet hop-complex brew from Lagunitas Brewing Company bridges the gap between easy-drinking wheat ales and aromatic hop-forward pales.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.7%  |  IBU: 51  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: American Pale Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee in the small town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating to its current home in Petaluma; the brewery is now owned by Heineken International following a full acquisition in 2017. Sumpin' Easy is built around loads of Ekuanot hops layered over a grain bill of 2-row malted barley with a notable wheat component, yielding a smooth, velvety body that supports the hop character rather than competing with it. At 51 IBU, it sits firmly in hop-forward territory for a wheat-influenced ale, though the bitterness reads softer than the number suggests thanks to the wheat's natural creaminess.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus and stone fruit lead immediately — fresh peach and passion fruit — followed by subtle floral notes and a background of bready wheat malt. A light touch of pine resin emerges as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is malty and gently sweet, with the wheat character providing a pillowy mouthfeel. Mid-palate shifts to ripe peach and tropical fruit before a firm, citrus-driven bitterness takes hold at the back. An underlying spiciness and hints of blueberry add nuance without cluttering the profile.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, resinous bitterness balanced by lingering stone fruit. The wheat softness keeps the finale approachable rather than astringent.

How to Drink Sumpin' Easy

Pour cold — around 40–45°F — into a pint glass or tulip to let the Ekuanot hop aromatics open up; this beer rewards a proper pour rather than drinking straight from the can. A Sumpin' Easy Shandy works well: combine half a pour with fresh lemonade for a bright warm-weather drink. It also holds its own in a Hop Radler paired with grapefruit soda, where its peach and pine notes amplify the citrus. For something unexpected, try a Beermosa at brunch by mixing it with fresh-squeezed orange juice — the wheat body and fruit-forward hops blend naturally with the juice.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing hop-curious friends to aromatic, fruit-forward pale ales
• Pairing with grilled food at a summer gathering
• Keeping a versatile, session-strength beer on hand for weeknight drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sumpin' Easy taste like? Sumpin' Easy leads with ripe peach and passion fruit from its Ekuanot hops, followed by a malty sweetness and a firm but approachable citrus bitterness. The wheat component gives it a smooth, velvety texture that keeps it light and drinkable despite 51 IBU.

How does Sumpin' Easy compare to Lagunitas 12th of Never? Both beers share a hop-forward, fruit-driven DNA, but Sumpin' Easy is less dry and less bitter than 12th of Never, with a fuller wheat-influenced body. Reviewers frequently note they are built from a similar mold, though Sumpin' Easy leans more toward soft stone fruit while 12th of Never trends drier and more resinous.

Is Sumpin' Easy good for beginners? Yes — at 5.7% ABV with a smooth wheat body that tempers the hop bitterness, it serves as an excellent entry point for anyone moving beyond lagers into hop-forward ales. The fruit character makes the 51 IBU far more approachable than comparable pale ales.

Where is Sumpin' Easy made? Sumpin' Easy is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at its primary facility in Petaluma, California. Lagunitas also operates a second brewery in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Sumpin' Easy? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement its citrus and tropical hop notes. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese mirrors the beer's underlying spiciness. Pulled pork sandwiches benefit from the wheat body's ability to cut through richness. Thai green curry echoes the peach and tropical fruit flavors, and a simple arugula salad with stone fruit dressing reinforces the Ekuanot hop character.

What sizes does Sumpin' Easy come in? Sumpin' Easy is available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans as well as 6-packs; single cans and bottles can also be found depending on market availability.

Is Sumpin' Easy worth the price? Sumpin' Easy positions as a well-priced everyday craft pale ale that delivers more hop complexity and aromatic interest than most beers at its tier. The 91/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and strong consumer ratings on BeerAdvocate (86) and Untappd (3.6 across over 61,000 ratings) reinforce that it over-delivers for its segment.

Why Sumpin' Easy?

The distinguishing factor here is the Ekuanot hop — a variety prized for its dual peach-and-pine character — used generously against a wheat-forward grain bill that most pale ales skip entirely. That combination produces a beer that reads as hop-complex on the nose but drinks soft and approachable, a balance that earned it a 91/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing. With over 61,000 ratings on Untappd and an 86 on BeerAdvocate, Sumpin' Easy has demonstrated broad, sustained appeal rather than hype-cycle popularity. In a crowded field of sessionable pale ales, it stands on genuine hop variety distinction and a wheat-smoothed mouthfeel that few competitors replicate.