Skip to main content

Sierra Nevada brews up two limited-time beers

New IPAs from the craft leader

Sierra Nevada Hop Tropical IPA.
Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada has released a pair of new beers this month. The west coast brewery officially debuted Rad Little Thing and Hop Tropical IPA.

Rad Little Thing is a continuation of a popular series and, stylistically, a west coast hazy IPA. Meanwhile, the Hop Tropical IPA is pretty much what it sounds like: a seasonal winter release evoking a getaway to paradise.

Sierra Nevada Rad Little Thing IPA.
Sierra Nevada

“Rad Little Thing lives up to its name because it is a fun, limited time offering that combines what I think are some of the best attributes of these two highly regarded IPA styles,” says Brian Grossman, chief brewer and second-generation brewery owner at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. “The result is a unique beer that is both vibrant and approachable.”

Recommended Videos

The beer comes in a 7% ABV and 30 IBUs. It’s made with a handful of hop varieties and a bit of a hybrid, east coast-meets-west coast IPA. Alternatively, the Hop Tropical IPA comes in at 6.5% ABV and offers big mango and passionfruit notes. Both beers will be available at the usual retailers by mid-December.

“I love winter, but sometimes the biting cold can be a bit much, and I find myself thinking of a beach somewhere in the tropics. This beer is that kind of thought process–its bright, fruity hop flavors transport me to that topical scene in my mind, which is a welcome escape in the depths of winter,” says Grossman.

Sierra Nevada is also behind some of our favorite non-alcoholic beers, should you be interested in that or on the verge of a Dry January. Be sure to check out our features on the best winter IPAs and the best Christmas beers as well.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think
Beer glass rinsing 101
beer

Myths run riot in the land of drinks and we're on a mission to dispel them. Just ask the chill-able red wine or age-worthy beer. There are rules in beer, cocktail, and wine culture, sure, but there are also misconceptions and unknowns very much worth figuring out.

You know the sayings: Rum is only for tiki drinks, mezcal is just a smoky version of tequila, or you can't make a good non-alcoholic beer. We know these things to be untrue as we've tasted the evidence.

Read more
Move over IPAs — matcha beer is the new summer drink to try
What exactly is Matcha Beer?
Matcha Beer

Summer is here. It’s the season of days spent at the lake, beach, or floating in a river or creek with a beer in your hand. And while we enjoy a classic, crisp pilsner or hoppy IPA on a humid summer day, this year, we’re all about the trending Matcha Beer.

Before I delve into the beer itself, it’s essential to provide some background on matcha. In my years of writing professionally, I’ve spent a lot of time enjoying different types of tea and herbal beverages. When it comes to tea-centric drinks, it’s challenging to beat the appeal of matcha. Not only is matcha flavorful but this green-hued ground powder made from green tea leaves is also known for its antioxidant and healthy properties.

Read more
No greenwashing here: Sierra Nevada puts real sustainability on tap
The California craft leaders on sustainability
Sierra Nevada Hop Forward Ale.

Sustainability can mean a lot of things, as the term is thrown around pretty liberally at the moment. From the craft beer sector to fashion, businesses are getting in on the practice. But in a world where greenwashing is now prevalent, it's important to separate the pretenders from those really doing the work.

Sierra Nevada is a leading force in this regard. The West Coast brewery just released a report outlining its ongoing sustainability initiatives. It includes some impressive objectives that the brand hopes to lock down by 2030.

Read more