Sierra Nevada Brewing is mixing things up with two exciting limited-time offerings—Rad Little Thing West Coast Hazy IPA and Hop Tropical IPA. Whether you’re dreaming of tropical shores or looking for a coast-to-coast IPA experience, these unique brews bring a touch of flavor to your season.
These beers are available only until spring 2025 and are a must-try for craft beer enthusiasts and seasonal drinkers. Here’s everything you need to know about these standout releases.
Rad Little Thing West Coast Hazy IPA
Style: West Coast Hazy IPA
ABV: 7%
IBU: 50
Rad Little Thing is part of Sierra Nevada’s Limited Hazy Series, taking the best of two beloved IPA styles and fusing them into one vibrant brew. On one hand, you have the resinous pine and bright citrus of a classic West Coast IPA. On the other, there’s the smooth, approachable haze that East Coasters have perfected. This 50-50 fusion creates a radically unique yet thoroughly enjoyable flavor profile.
This IPA delivers a velvety haze without losing its bold edge, making it the perfect IPA for drinkers on either coast—or anywhere in between.
Tasting Notes
You’ll notice flavors of zesty citrus and resinous pine upfront, balanced by the soft, smooth texture characteristic of hazy IPAs. The hop profile creates a harmoniously edgy bitterness that rounds out with a clean finish.
According to Sierra Nevada’s innovation brewmaster James Conery, Rad Little Thing captures “flavor profiles that you wouldn’t normally see in a hazy beer,” making it a refreshing change for IPA fans.
Availability
Rad Little Thing hit store shelves early this December and will be available through May 2025. It comes in convenient 6-packs of 12-ounce cans with an MSRP of $12.99.
Hop Tropical IPA
Style: West Coast IPA
ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 54
Missing summer’s warmth? Hop Tropical IPA is here to offer a taste of paradise. Featuring hops sourced from New Zealand, this sleek West Coast IPA is all about delivering vibrant tropical flavors with just the right amount of bitterness.
Motueka and Riwaka hops bring lively notes of mango, papaya, passionfruit, and even a zesty hint of lime. With a clean and crisp malt backbone, the fruitiness of the hops truly takes center stage.
Tasting Notes
This beer invokes the feeling of a tropical getaway in the middle of winter. Imagine the refreshing sweetness of fresh mango paired with a juicy pop of passionfruit, balanced by a subtle infusion of lime zest. Its bitterness is perfectly tuned to enhance the hop flavors without overwhelming them.
Head Innovation Brewer Isaiah Mangold calls Hop Tropical IPA “the type of beer I want to drink all the time,” praising the distinct terroir of New Zealand hops. Whether you’re sipping this beer on a snowy night or daydreaming about a tropical beach, it’s bound to transport you to warmer, sunnier places.
Availability
Hop Tropical IPA begins rolling out in mid-December and will be available until March. Like Rad Little Thing, it’s packaged in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans at an MSRP of $12.99.
Two Unique Beers—One Shared Experience
What unites these two limited releases is Sierra Nevada’s dedication to innovation. Both beers achieve distinct flavor profiles while staying true to the craft brewing values that made the brewery a household name.
Rad Little Thing delights with its bold mashup of classic and hazy IPA styles, offering something unique to fans of either coast.
Hop Tropical IPA provides a crisp, fruity escape from dreary winter days, showcasing the excellence of Southern Hemisphere hops.
With both beers available only until spring, now is the perfect time to snag a 6-pack of each and savor the brewing mastery of Sierra Nevada.
Where to Find Them
You can find both Rad Little Thing and Hop Tropical IPA at major retailers nationwide and local bottle shops. Use Sierra Nevada’s online beer finder tool to locate them near you. These seasonal offerings are sure to sell quickly, so don’t wait long to grab a pack—or two!