hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Mellow Little Thing

Tap to rate

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
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
fruityjuicyberry
fruity
juicy
berry
tropical
peach
hoppy
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.
also:citrusy
not found:piney,caramel,clean,smoky

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
Serve at 8–11°C

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

Tulip glass

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

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Mellow Little Thing

More from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Atomic Torpedo
Atomic Torpedo
Imperial IPA
9.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Barrel-Aged Narwhal
Barrel-Aged Narwhal
Imperial Stout
11.9%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Big Little Thing
Big Little Thing
New England Double IPA
9.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Barleywine
9.6%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Boat Plane
Boat Plane
West Coast Pilsner
6.0%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Celebration
Celebration
American IPA
6.8%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Cosmic Little Thing
Cosmic Little Thing
New England Double IPA
8.0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Go-Two
Go-Two
Session IPA
2.8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

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.

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