Sierra Nevada Sunny Little Thing 6Pk

Sierra Nevada Sunny Little Thing 6Pk is a citrus-infused wheat ale brewed in Chico, California, at 5.0% ABV and packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Scored 86/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing, this sessionable wheat ale stands out for its proprietary citrus infusion process that uses crystallized juice from real oranges and grapefruit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Chico, California, USA  |  Style: Citrus Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.  |  IBU: 10  |  Calories: 170

Production & Heritage

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded in 1980 in Chico, California, by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi, is one of the pioneering craft breweries in America. Sunny Little Thing is built on a grain bill of Two-Row Pale malt, wheat, oats, and Cara-Pils, single-hopped with Crystal hops to keep bitterness restrained at just 10 IBUs. What distinguishes this beer from standard wheat ales is its citrus infusion technique: an exclusive blend of crystallized juice squeezed from real oranges and grapefruit is added in bright tanks — a process analogous to dry hopping an IPA — to amplify aroma and flavor without artificial additives.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright orange and lemon citrus dominate upfront, followed by tropical notes of pineapple and sweet grapefruit. Underneath sits a soft, bready wheat sweetness that rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is juicy with orange and tangerine peel, moving through a mid-palate of sweet blood orange, peach, and apricot. Bready malt sweetness supports the fruit notes, while oats contribute a creamy, smooth mouthfeel that keeps the citrus from turning sharp.

Finish: The finish is quick, citrusy, and thirst-quenching with an almost soda-like brightness. Lingering grapefruit and a subtle wheat cracker note fade cleanly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Sunny Little Thing

Best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a wheat beer glass to release the citrus aromatics. At 5.0% ABV and 10 IBUs, this is a highly approachable warm-weather sipper that also works well as a cocktail ingredient.

• Beer Shandy: Mix half-and-half with fresh lemonade — the existing citrus character creates a seamless, low-ABV refresher.
• Radler: Combine with sparkling grapefruit soda to amplify the natural grapefruit infusion.
• Citrus Michelada: Pair with lime juice, hot sauce, and Tajín for a savory-citrus contrast that plays off the orange and tangerine notes.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and warm-weather gatherings where easy-drinking citrus beer fits the mood
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to wheat ale styles without overwhelming bitterness
• Pairing alongside brunch dishes like eggs benedict or avocado toast
• Stocking a cooler for beach days, pool parties, or outdoor concerts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sunny Little Thing taste like? Sunny Little Thing delivers bright orange, tangerine peel, and grapefruit juice flavors layered over a creamy, bready wheat malt base. It finishes clean and citrusy with minimal bitterness at only 10 IBUs.

How does Sunny Little Thing compare to Blue Moon? Both are wheat ales, but Sunny Little Thing leans heavier into citrus fruit character through its real juice infusion process, while Blue Moon is a Belgian-style witbier brewed with Valencia orange peel and coriander. Drinkers often describe Sunny Little Thing as smoother in mouthfeel with more pronounced citrus intensity and less spice.

Is Sunny Little Thing good for beginners? Yes — at 5.0% ABV with very low bitterness and a fruit-forward, approachable flavor profile, it is an excellent entry point for anyone new to craft beer or wheat ales.

Where is Sunny Little Thing made? Sunny Little Thing is brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. at their original brewery in Chico, California. Sierra Nevada, founded in 1980, is one of the largest and most established independent craft breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Sunny Little Thing? Grilled shrimp tacos work well, as the citrus in the beer mirrors a squeeze of lime. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the orange and grapefruit notes. Fish and chips benefit from the wheat ale's creamy body cutting through fried batter. Fresh fruit and soft cheeses like brie complement the beer's gentle sweetness. Chicken satay with peanut sauce creates a pleasant contrast between the beer's citrus brightness and the dish's savory richness.

What sizes does Sunny Little Thing come in? Sunny Little Thing is commonly available in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as variety packs within Sierra Nevada's Little Things lineup.

Is Sunny Little Thing worth the price? Sunny Little Thing positions as an affordable, everyday craft beer from a respected independent brewery. For a real-citrus-infused wheat ale at this price tier, it delivers strong value — particularly for drinkers who want fruit-forward flavor without resorting to artificially flavored alternatives.

Why Sunny Little Thing?

The defining feature of this wheat ale is Sierra Nevada's citrus infusion process, which adds crystallized juice from real oranges and grapefruit directly in bright tanks — a technique borrowed from IPA dry hopping that produces genuine fruit flavor rather than extract-based shortcuts. Backed by an 86/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and over 44,000 ratings on Untappd, Sunny Little Thing has proven its appeal across a wide audience. The oat-and-wheat grain bill gives it a fuller, creamier body than many competing citrus ales, while the single Crystal hop addition keeps bitterness nearly imperceptible. Among Sierra Nevada's extensive portfolio, this expression fills a specific role: a sessionable, sun-soaked wheat ale that tastes like real fruit because it is made with real fruit.