A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

Somebody_Else

California

4.98/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is my go-to beer. If I don't want to experiment or go for a special experience this is the beer I will choose and every time I do it makes me happy. Even though it is now generally available, I treat this beer like a special occasion -- a treat.

The first thing that hits me with this is the smell -- all tropical fruit, piney hops and FLOWERS. The seductive floral aroma pulls me in every time. I would wear this shit as aftershave! Did I say yet that I like the way it smells?

The taste is a perfect follow-up to the nose. This beer sort of straddles classifications, but I put it squarely in the IPA school, albeit a very balanced and refined IPA. It has that tantalizing bitterness but you don't just go bitter for bitter sake -- it's all part of the whole. The slight malt sweetness and lingering floral notes just do it for me.

I don't know if this is a mouth-feel deal, but the resin content really works for me. It sticks to the tongue and allows a recycling of the best of the flavors long after the last sip has slithered down the throat. Lagunitas pulls this off pretty consistently. The carbonation is perfect. On a hot summer day -- THIS IS IT.

I like a broad range of beers but most of the time I want something with plenty of flavor. I've always been a fan of the rich roasty creamy stouts and I've never turned down a rich red or brown ale. A sailing buddy introduced me to big hops beers last year and I haven't looked back. The brewery that consistently nails the big hops taste test is Lagunitas. The Lagunitas beer that satisfies me EVERY time I pop one is Little Sumpin' Sumpin'. I will keep drinking and enjoying other beers but I will keep coming back to this one for a looong time!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:53:30 | More by Somebody_Else

BigJon

Florida

4.98/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I can't say enough about this beer. This is my go to brew. When poured it has a beautiful golden appearance. It smells very hoppy with a fruitiness tone, I get the cascade hops instantly. Every bottle I have tried has the same crisp, full , fresh taste! Like I said , If I am having trouble deciding, I always grab a 6 of this.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 21:44:11 | More by BigJon

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz. bottle

Pours a slightly hazy apricot color with a dense eggshell head that maintains. Thick lacing on the glass.

Aroma is a bouquet of citrusy hops. Some distinct grapefruit and peachy tones. A true olfactory delight.

Tastes like it smells. A blast of citrusy hops upfront that levels out midway through and helps ease each swallow down my throat. Only a medium bitterness which maintains an almost perfect balance with the malt. No detectable wheat or other malt flavors, but absolutely not necessary in this beer.

Medium body, full carbonation.

A masterful blend of hops with tremendous overall balance. As pleasing on the palate as a hoppy beer can get, and deceptively drinkable at over 7%.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2009 00:35:59 | More by MaltyGoodness

challenja

Virginia

4.97/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Gorgeous deep orange with golden rod tones.

S: DAMN SON!!! The most aromatic Wheat Ale of all time!
Tons of citrus, tropical fruits, pineapple, fresh jungle honey, and rich flourishing malt. It stunk like some good Icky Icky. The most aromatic hop-ale that is not rated an IPA.

T: Tropical fruits, citrus (Big time Red Grapefruit, tangerine, lemon), and a nice crisp wheat finish. I was surprised that its not rated as an IPA. Very Close but not as tangerine and aromatic as their Lucky 13 beer which is also amazingly good.

MF: Medium body, silky, crisp, and sweet west coast hop sticky icky. It was a really delicious spring time beer. Good medium carbonation.

Overall: This can be considered one of my favorite drinkable Lagunitas beers. Lucky 13 is also a great summer beer. But this one of my favorite looking and smelling beers of all time.. Truly Exceptional.

Serving type: On Tap
Serving type: Bought bottles as well. Its better on Tap, more aromatic as well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2011 18:34:33 | More by challenja

goldennectar

Ohio

4.97/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from 12 oz.bottle into pint glass.

Appearance: Nice white head & beautiful golden color

Smell: Hops & Pine - Extremely fragrant and fresh. Slight hint of citrus

Taste: Hops Malt Citrus Balanced & Fresh and did I say hoppy? But not bitter, Full of flavor

Mouthfeel: Crisp & Balanced Finishes very well & not overly dry,
actually a fantastic finsh that leaves you wanting another mouthful.
This beer defines mouthfeel for me!

Overall: WOW Very drinkable. Very flavorful. This was a big surprise, I was expecting
more bitterness from the hops but it is extremely drinkable. And the flavors! WOW
I see more of these in my future.

I own a beer and wine drive thru and this was a recommendation from a customer. I bought some not
ever having tasted a beer from Lagunitas. This will be a staple on my shelf!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 21:27:04 | More by goldennectar

STEELERFAN2390

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

this beer is fu**ing great ....its the perfect blend of a hopslam and a pliny without a fu**ing whale hunt and a price gouging...grab it if you can ,I pick it up at total wine for about 8.99 a 6er...well worth it if you like the lighter more powerful hoppy beers!!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 23:15:01 | More by STEELERFAN2390

SirDrinxAlot

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pour is clear gold with a 1 finger head that retains a good lace.

Smell. WOW. Soft citrus and pine dominate. A slight floral nose also. An air freshener should be made of this beer.

Taste is like a light/medium hopped IPA. Flavors of tangerine, pine, and a light malt/wheat backbone. Very well balanced. Medium bodied and smoooth. Will definitely be picking up more of this. Excellent summer-styled IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2009 02:26:50 | More by SirDrinxAlot

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Without a shadow of a doubt, my beer of the year for 2009. Loved it when it was totally fresh, love it as it gets a bit older. Very unique taste up front and that great Lagunitas hop onslaught on the back end, balanced but just a nice amount of sweetness. Hard to believe the ABV is over 7% on this masterpiece. Juicy greatness and just a true joy to drink over and over. Glorious.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2009 08:32:36 | More by KickbacksSteve

hosehead83

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a "stubby" 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Clear, copper/gold in color, with a nice, fluffy head of foam
Aroma-Fragrant boquet of piney, juicy, citrussy hops
Taste-Hopheads delight! Delicious onrush of juicy grapefruit and tangerine, followed by a tantalizing hop bite that teases the tastebuds into willing supplication.
Overall, wonderfully aromatic, balanced, snappy and tasty. Hard to stop at just one. A fine match for a cheeseburger with the works. One of my favorites from Lagunitas. Don't hesitate, buy that sixer! (or case) Truly an outstanding brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 15:34:03 | More by hosehead83

Tripphop

Virginia

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Working on my third case of this one, its about time to review it. This is a killer session beer. Delicious fruity wheat underneath a rush of tangy and piney hops. Crisp and refreshing, leaves you wanting more every time you sip it. Nice light golden color, head is ok, froths up nicely at first and quickly dissipates. Fresh hoppy punch on initial taste followed by a sweet pineapply mid palate and dry crisp finish. Cant get enough of it. Drink it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2010 05:05:45 | More by Tripphop

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Very huge smell of juicy fruits maybe some berry smell in there too and then some sweetness.. what an excellent aroma. This is definitely what I expect from Lagunitas. It still has that juicy fruity hop taste with a spicy hop kick in the beginning and a good almost piney bitter finish at the end. You get a huge sweetness in the middle that blends real well with the tremendous hop flavor and then the wheat finishing in the back with the hop bitterness. The hop profile is very close to their other beers like their regular IPA, Maximus, and Hop Stoopid. ALthough they are all very similar I still like this beer just as much as them. Even though the hops shine the most in this beer that wheat malt really completes it and gives Lagunita's regular hopped up beers a good twist. Definitely recommend this beer its like a wheat IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 22:05:18 | More by thebrood1987

wallygatorca

California

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle from a six (approx. 9-10 packs purchased and consumed), about time I reviewed here, this one is worthy of my first.

A - Orange, but still pale

S - glorious, and should be infused into incense

T - Hops (pine, citrus, floral), top the wheat

M - it lingers just enough to take another swig

O - Will be on my short list of brews I will gravitate to when looking at any retail beer fridge or tap lineup. Can be downed year round with anticipation and enthusiasm.

Keep in mind, I'm an IPA/Double IPA fan and this one hits the spot for me. If you're all about the wheat, this may not be exactly what your reaching for.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 05:59:52 | More by wallygatorca

Kisejohn

4.93/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Aroma:  Wow, huge grapefruit citrus and pine hop aroma.  Maybe some tropical fruit flavors peaking out.  

Appearance:  Honey golden color.  Three fingers of head with nice lacing.

Flavor:  The citrus and pine flavors follow through just like the aroma.  This pale wheat ale tastes just like a true west coast IPA.  Finishes bitter sweet with just a hint of lingering bitterness.  A hop heads dream.

Mouthfeel:   Light body, good carbonation.

Overall:  Lagunitas has redefined the American wheat ale and it is awesome!  It  drinks like an American IPA.  Waves of hop aroma and flavor with malt sweetness to balance.  My favorite American wheat, hands down.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 21:41:06 | More by Kisejohn

dubinsky

California

4.9/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Poured a nice clear yellow color with a small white head that quickly disappeared and barely left any lacing.

S:Tons of piney hops and pine resin blast my nose. Just taking a wiff from the bottle i knew this was going to be awesome.

T: This beer really reminds me of the first sip i had of Pliny. I was in awe of the smell and taste and this sort of takes me back in time. Piney hops resonate with the first sip. Not much malt presence to speak of. I love it.

M: Light carbonation, but that leaves a very smooth finish on the tongue. The bitterness lingers a bit but quickly dissipates, leaving you yearning for more

D: I could drink this very often, and dare i say at less than $2/bottle i can see this replacing a greater known beer. I dont know if its sessionable since its rather high in alcohol, but i can easily sip this on a warm day and let it get away from me. I will definitely buy this again, especially since they are threatening this as a limited release. BOOO!

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 22:24:30 | More by dubinsky

barondebourgogne

Maryland

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Beautiful deep straw to light orange color with exceptional clarity for a wheat ale. Head disappated quickly for wheat. Did not have the expected foamy tight, white head.

Smell: Booming hops swirling with sweet malt in the aroma. Citrusy, piney and fruity. Loads of pineapple and ripe peach.

Taste: Here is where the wheat makes it appearance with a refreshing tart bite on the first sip that counters the malt backbone. Hops enter stage right behind that tartness, followed by a sweet, candy malt finish.

Mouthfeel: Hop bitterness, malt sweetness and wheat tartness battle for front stage on the tongue. A very unique and gratifying mouthfeel experience!

Drinkability: A unique and fun limited release from Lagunitas. A bit "big" all around for a summer ale. I would have enjoyed this more if the gravity was toned down so that I could enjoy on a hot summer day. Does not quench the thirst with a crispness as I would desire. Still a great beer that everyone should enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2009 01:40:00 | More by barondebourgogne

1after909

California

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Just downed one of these. Another fine offering from the Lagunitas stable. It was in the IPA section of my beer emporium. Good thing as I don't generally care for wheats and prabably wouldn't have grabbed one off the shelf.

Had an appearance a little darker than a lager but none of the wha=eat kickback on the smell & taste that you get sometimes.

Will gladly pick up more than one next timne after this worthwhile trial

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 19:45:55 | More by 1after909

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appears orange gold in color. It's half hazy...I can see my fingers through the glass but they're blurry. Head is one-finger in size, but it fades.

BAM! Wonderful aroma of PINE and a meld of citrus goodness in the likes of grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon. Amazing fresh hop oils.

Sweet acidic citrus flavors dominate and invite the taste buds to the party. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit are the primary players. Sweet malt provides a subtle backdrop for the hop flavors to get their dance party on. A pleasant bitterness lingers after a crisp finish and mouthfeel.

This is a bigger ale that deceptively acts light and refreshing while bitch slapping you with american citrus-hop goodness. I could see people accidentally having too many of these.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 01:41:04 | More by jbertsch

cindiwindi1025

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - cloudy yellow, sticky white lacing that sticks from the beginning to the end of the glass. Beautiful.

S - the hops hit my nose before I even poured. Pine hops foreward, floral, with a slight citrus funk. Beautiful.

T - HOPS! Pine hops, citrus rind, buscuity malts. This is absolutely delicious.

M - crisp and smooth. Med carbonation, slight sting/afterburn from the massive hops and alcohol. Very drinkable.

O - this beer is absolutely perfect for my taste, the hops and malts are balanced perfectly and leave the most delicious aftertaste. The only thing that is keeping this score excellent across the board is that I dont agree that this is an american pale wheat ale style, it is a straight up IPA, and it would be a perfect one.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 01:20:59 | More by cindiwindi1025

crazyfraser

4.88/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Never heard of it when purchased.

Smell was great, kinda hoppy, aned fruity,

taste was very hoppy, kinda grapefruity, a lil bitter, just what I love.
mouthfeel was smooth and a lil bubbly. very easy to drink.

overall a great brew. will buy again fo sho

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 00:31:55 | More by crazyfraser

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A= The pour is a nice totally translucent light amber dark yellow color with a great head on it that rises to a perfect two fingers and holds some solid retention as well as some excellent lacing. One beautiful beer.

S= Wow. Lovely hops indeed. The hops in this one are very very tropical and fruity. There's a good amount of mango smelling hops with a lot of really nice pineapple smell to it. A little grapefruit mixed in there for fun. The smell reminds me of why I love hops so much.

T= One sip and I'm sold. Amazing hop taste to this one. The hop smells are all coming through in the flavor. The difference in the taste is a nice bitterness in the finish as well as some soft more nuanced wheat taste to it. A lovely beer indeed.

M= The mouth on this one is actually really enjoyable. I love that it's a little lighter on the tongue than an IPA. The lightness actually makes me want to sip this and enjoy it in the sun more.

D= I'm sold on this beer being my go to summer beer when I'm down on money a little. Lagunitas does some amazing things with hops. This is no exception. They do a great job with their pricing as well as making some of the most wonderful beers I've tasted. Better than Gumballhead I would say.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 03:44:00 | More by jjanega08

vfgccp

New York

4.85/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Golden, medium grade honey. A vigorous pour into a pint glass settled down into about a finger of creamy white head.

S - Bright grapefruit citrus up front with lemon and orange peel playing a supporting role. Backdrop of light pine.

T - Opens with smooth malt that ramps up quickly into fresh grapefruit and orange rind. Touch of green grass after the initial bitter that mellows into lighter woody / cedar notes. Delicious bready malt holds the profile together. Finishes with honey, grapefruit, and apricot.

Wonderfully well balanced; the flavors blend through each other to form a continuous and coherent whole.

Gets even better as it warms.

M - Super smooth profile with some nice beveled edges. Medium body with a round mouthfeel. Semi-bitter/sweet finish.

D - Almost no booze in the profile for the 7+% AB. Holds a great hop character that isn't clawing and doesn't leave a sharp bitterness or dryness in on your palate. The flavors are fantastic and the carbonation is restrained but refreshing. A fantastic American session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 01:37:36 | More by vfgccp

DearthVader

California

4.85/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thank God this beer is year round! I can't believe it took me so long to actually try it. Instantly a staple in my fridge.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into my Stone IPA glass.

Golden orange that is slightly see through. Fluffy 2 finger head with incredible retention. Kept a half finger fluff throughout the beer. Leaves extremely thick lacing. You can see carbonation racing to the top.

Smells of sweet wheat soaked in grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, slight peach, and sprinkled with pine needles. So damn good!

Taste follows the smell. Starts off with a sweet citrus hop that rolls into the grapefruit and it finishes with a dry wheat flavor.

Mouthfeel is smooth as silk. Great carbonation that really makes this beer dangerously drinkable at its 7.5% ABV.

Obviously I loved this beer. I'm really starting to become a believer in Lagunitas. Time after time, they impress the hell out of me. Will revisit this beer in about.... right now. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 08:43:24 | More by DearthVader

alysmith4

District of Columbia

4.85/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is one of my favorite IPAs, even though it's technically classified as an "American Pale Wheat Ale." It has a ton of fresh flavor and depth of body, and the subtle nuances in smell/taste are what really make it great. There are tons of piney-grapefruit honey hops, bread-y yeast, and a bit of fruit flavor like apple and pear. There is also a little sweetness to the hops that balances out the whole beer. I could have this beer again and again.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 20:51:04 | More by alysmith4

hoplover82

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Wow! This beer is amazing! I am so suprized by this wonderful ale.

A-Pours a almost clear golden color with a tight creamy bubbly white head that has good retention and very sticky beautiful lacing. Very nice visual appeal.

S-The aroma is SOOOoooo good!!! I can't get enough of those pungent lemon zesty hops!!! SOOOOooo nice. The lemon zest is almost candied, with a touch of wheat in the aroma. As the head fades, the malt backbone comes through more. But the hops are prevelent throughout. A very lovely aroma.

T-The taste is much of the same, but the wheat and malt hits first with a resiny, piny and lemon zest hop flavor with of coarse a big kick of hop bitterness that lingers forever.

M-Very big feel that fully coats the mouth but is cleased by the bitterness that has a good one two punch on my palate.

D-I love drinking this smooth beer. There is no fusal alcohol at all to this beer. A very drinkable beer given the higher abv. Thank you Lagunitas. Go get some Little Sumpin Extra Ale, it is very good.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2009 04:21:39 | More by hoplover82

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.83/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours an effervescent honey color with 2 fingers of cream colored head. Great lacing & good head retention

S: A riot of hops, lemons, grassyness & pineyness, plus leafy hops too

T: Grapefruit, breadyness, a touch of honey & dryness up front. Leafy hops & grapefruit as this warms, pineapple, pear & slight grainy bread sweetness with a touch of honey too. Finishes slightly juicy, with leafy hops, a little bit of honey sweetness & pineapple as well

MF: Medium bodied, low carbonation, superb balance

Drinks great, easily the best American Wheat beer I've had, I believe, maybe off style a tad, but I don't care. This goes on the MUST buy list for Summer & Fall!

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2010 03:08:26 | More by russpowell