hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Mellow Little Thing

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · New England IPA · One of 114 New England IPAs in hopIQ

The lightest beer in the Little Thing series, brewed at 4.5% for easygoing sessions. Two-row pale and white wheat, malted oats, unmalted wheat and dextrin malt keep the body soft and the haze steady despite the lower strength. Mosaic and El Dorado are joined by lupulin powders of Strata and Mosaic, which bring passion fruit, ripe berries and pear with a hint of watermelon, while the bitterness remains low and the finish balanced.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter17 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all New England IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another New England IPA.
Hop character
juicy
tropical
citrusy
hoppy
Distinctive notes
hazy
berry
smooth drinking
peach
Fermentation & yeast
fruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mellow Little Thing

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with a soft, persistent haze characteristic of the New England IPA style. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine lacing. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, lending the beer a lively but not aggressive visual presence.

pale goldenhazyfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright stone fruit and berry notes—passion fruit and ripe berry from the Mosaic and El Dorado hops, joined by subtle pear and a whisper of watermelon. Beneath the hop-forward profile lies a soft, bready grain backdrop from the pale malt, white wheat, and oats, adding warmth without heaviness. The lupulin powder additions reinforce the fruity character without introducing aggressive resinousness.

passion fruitripe berriespearsoft grain

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with the fruity hop character immediately present on the palate. Mid-palate showcases layered stone fruit and subtle watermelon, supported by a pillowy malt structure that feels fuller than the modest 4.5% ABV would suggest—a testament to the white wheat, oats, and dextrin malt. Bitterness remains restrained and balanced, never overshadowing the fruit or malt sweetness.

fruitysoft-bodiedbalanced bitternessstone fruit forward

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately short, with lingering stone fruit notes and a gentle drying sensation. The aftertaste remains fruit-driven rather than bitter, leaving an impression of easy drinkability.

dryfruit-forward finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
76
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Mellow Little Thing

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Mellow Little Thing

About New England IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a New England IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar New England IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, hazy, light character as Mellow Little Thing will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other New England IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all New England IPA beers in hopIQ →New to New England IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →