Hazy Little Thing IPA is an American IPA brewed in the New England style by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. For the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in an IPA glass from a can.

Packaging art for the Hazy Little Thing IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

What You Need to Know

Capitalizing on the growing popularity of New England style brews, the Hazy Little Thing IPA is Sierra Nevada’s first beer in that style. It’s unfiltered and unprocessed, straight from the tanks to the can. But how does it compare to a freshly canned NEIPA? Let’s get to the review.

Appearance

The Hazy Little Thing pours an opaque golden yellow and is topped by a thick stack of rocky white foam that shows good retention. Droplets of lace and sudsy collar ring the glass while ample sediment is visibly adrift.

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Aroma

The NEIPA’s aroma has a delightful scent of tangy citrus and pine.

Flavor

The palate is hop-forward with a taste of orange and apricot that transitions to a juicy bite of citrus. A mild note of pine and dank resin follows and its bitterness is mellowed by a juicy smack of tropical fruit. As the beer warms, the hoppy resin becomes more prominent. A taste of doughy white bread ties the palate together.

Label art for the Hazy Little Thing IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Mouthfeel

Its feel has a smooth draw that becomes grainy and its medium body has matching carbonation. The finish is slightly tingly.

Overall

Indeed, the Hazy Little Thing IPA looks very much like a New England IPA. Its haze is still holding, in spite of being packaged a little over a month ago. The aromatics are pleasant but isn’t quite as strong nor does its taste quite have the juicy pop of a freshly-canned New England IPA. But it’s a damn good beer, just the same. Certainly, some will balk at the idea of purchasing a New England style brew that wasn’t canned in the past week. But considering its comparable attributes, lowered price point, and ease of purchase, it seems likely Sierra Nevada has brewed yet another success.

Recommended Pairings

Sierra Nevada recommends the following food pairings with their Hazy Little Thing IPA: grilled pork ribs with brown sugar and bourbon BBQ sauce; sharp white cheddar cheese and pineapple upside-down cake.