Wild Little Thing
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.


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- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Sour - Fruited Kettle Sour
Ranked #490 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #27,503 - Avg:
- 3.59 | pDev: 13.93%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 18, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 03, 2019
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 21
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good


Notes:
This slightly sour Wild Little Thing has just the right smack of tartness for serious refreshment, while guava, hibiscus and strawberry lend fruity-sweet depth and a bright pop of color.
MALTS
Two-row Pale, Oats, Wheat
HOPS
Cascade
YEAST
Ale Yeast
OTHER
Guava, Hibiscus & Strawberry Natural Flavors
Most sours are brewed the traditional way, with wooden barrels and lots of time. But Wild Little Thing is made using a technique called accelerated “kettle souring.” First, we make wort (unfermented beer) without any hops. Then we boil it, cool it and add lactobacillus, the same friendly bacteria you know from yogurt or sauerkraut. Lactobacillus turns sugar into lactic acid. Voila! Now we’re sour. We blend this special wort (roughly 10%) back into Wild Little Thing’s total wort to achieve its tartness.
MALTS
Two-row Pale, Oats, Wheat
HOPS
Cascade
YEAST
Ale Yeast
OTHER
Guava, Hibiscus & Strawberry Natural Flavors
Most sours are brewed the traditional way, with wooden barrels and lots of time. But Wild Little Thing is made using a technique called accelerated “kettle souring.” First, we make wort (unfermented beer) without any hops. Then we boil it, cool it and add lactobacillus, the same friendly bacteria you know from yogurt or sauerkraut. Lactobacillus turns sugar into lactic acid. Voila! Now we’re sour. We blend this special wort (roughly 10%) back into Wild Little Thing’s total wort to achieve its tartness.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.67 by let8it8grow from Pennsylvania on May 18, 2022
1.93/5 rDev -46.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
L - Pours a slightly hazy reddish-pink with a one finger head that dissipates quickly to a sparse film. Some lacing spots.
S - First sniff was like smelling glade air freshener. Berries.
T - Reminds me of the old National Brewing Malt Duck. The berry flavor overpowers any beer flavor.
F - Moderate body and carbonation.
O - Not for me. This is going into the sink. Would not buy again.
May 17, 2022
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
L - Pours a slightly hazy reddish-pink with a one finger head that dissipates quickly to a sparse film. Some lacing spots.
S - First sniff was like smelling glade air freshener. Berries.
T - Reminds me of the old National Brewing Malt Duck. The berry flavor overpowers any beer flavor.
F - Moderate body and carbonation.
O - Not for me. This is going into the sink. Would not buy again.
May 17, 2022
3.73/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours salmon pink with a light pink head. It has very good head retention.
Smell: It has strawberry aromas with a slight sourness to it.
Taste: It has strawberry flavors with some berries and mild tartness. It is actually quite sweet overall.
Feel: It has a medium light body. There is an odd flavor I can't quite place in the after taste.
Overall, it certainly has strawberry flavors with tartness but nothing else.
May 08, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by hman43 from North Carolina
Look: It pours salmon pink with a light pink head. It has very good head retention.
Smell: It has strawberry aromas with a slight sourness to it.
Taste: It has strawberry flavors with some berries and mild tartness. It is actually quite sweet overall.
Feel: It has a medium light body. There is an odd flavor I can't quite place in the after taste.
Overall, it certainly has strawberry flavors with tartness but nothing else.
May 08, 2022
3.84/5 rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by J_Brew_99 from Colorado
This is a solid beer as a sour! Flavor consists of guava, hibiscus, and strawberry. The overall body and feel isn’t too heavy and all the ingredients blend together nicely. Great for summer!
Apr 21, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by J_Brew_99 from Colorado
This is a solid beer as a sour! Flavor consists of guava, hibiscus, and strawberry. The overall body and feel isn’t too heavy and all the ingredients blend together nicely. Great for summer!
Apr 21, 2022
3.84/5 rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
by KT3418 from Colorado
Really great warm weather beer, im not gonna pick on it not being fruity enough for me cuz im sure it is for most people, the feel is excellent so it sure seems to me this one has a place
Apr 15, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
by KT3418 from Colorado
Really great warm weather beer, im not gonna pick on it not being fruity enough for me cuz im sure it is for most people, the feel is excellent so it sure seems to me this one has a place
Apr 15, 2022
3.91/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by MrOH from Malta
Clear pink, light pink head, crappy retention, some spots of lacing
Light strawberry, guava and jamaica nose
Tastes like it smells, not too sweet, slightly tart on the finish
Light bodied and well carbonated
I can dig it
Apr 10, 2022
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by MrOH from Malta
Clear pink, light pink head, crappy retention, some spots of lacing
Light strawberry, guava and jamaica nose
Tastes like it smells, not too sweet, slightly tart on the finish
Light bodied and well carbonated
I can dig it
Apr 10, 2022
4.02 by Rhetion from Florida on Apr 03, 2022
3.74 by DownyIsHungry from Minnesota on Mar 27, 2022
2.69/5 rDev -25.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
by Spike from England
12oz can.
L: Hazy, bright red with one finger of short-lived pink head.
S&T: Raspberry and hibiscus flavour. Tastes ands smells like a lightly sour fruit cordial.
F: Thin body with moderate/high carbonation and a dry-ish finish.
O: Sharp and artificial tasting. Might be better on a hot summer afternoon but is poor on this occasion. I’m a big fan of fruited sours but I couldn’t finish this.
Mar 19, 2022
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
by Spike from England
12oz can.
L: Hazy, bright red with one finger of short-lived pink head.
S&T: Raspberry and hibiscus flavour. Tastes ands smells like a lightly sour fruit cordial.
F: Thin body with moderate/high carbonation and a dry-ish finish.
O: Sharp and artificial tasting. Might be better on a hot summer afternoon but is poor on this occasion. I’m a big fan of fruited sours but I couldn’t finish this.
Mar 19, 2022
4.1/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Cdriver0414 from Kentucky
This beer is exactly as promised. It says strawberry, guava ,and hibiscus which is exactly what you get. The nose is a light fruited sour and the taste just a touch of sour with an abundance of strawberry. The guava and hibiscus are on the back end but still noticeable. It may not win any beer championships but it delivers on what it promises
Mar 12, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Cdriver0414 from Kentucky
This beer is exactly as promised. It says strawberry, guava ,and hibiscus which is exactly what you get. The nose is a light fruited sour and the taste just a touch of sour with an abundance of strawberry. The guava and hibiscus are on the back end but still noticeable. It may not win any beer championships but it delivers on what it promises
Mar 12, 2022
3.77 by blissfulNemo from Michigan on Mar 08, 2022
3.45/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by imnodoctorbut from Texas
pours a pink slightly hazy body with a chalk white head that billows a bit but immediately falls and leaves no lacing behind as it settles to a super thin halo
aroma is sour strawberry but super light, nearly nonexistent
taste is super sweet tart strawberry and hibiscus and guava
mouthfeel is high carbonation and lighter bodied, running pillowy and slightly chewy with a slightly crisp and dry finish, leaving a tart fruity aftertaste
overall:
pretty solid, sessionable sour, but ultimately tame and uncomplicated
Mar 07, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
by imnodoctorbut from Texas
pours a pink slightly hazy body with a chalk white head that billows a bit but immediately falls and leaves no lacing behind as it settles to a super thin halo
aroma is sour strawberry but super light, nearly nonexistent
taste is super sweet tart strawberry and hibiscus and guava
mouthfeel is high carbonation and lighter bodied, running pillowy and slightly chewy with a slightly crisp and dry finish, leaving a tart fruity aftertaste
overall:
pretty solid, sessionable sour, but ultimately tame and uncomplicated
Mar 07, 2022
4.25 by bundy462 from Texas on Mar 06, 2022
3.73/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mark-Leggett from Missouri
Poured from a can. Very red in color with a white head. Smells of strawberry juice, guava and cream. Flavor follows the smell with a slight sour hint. Very enjoyable
Mar 06, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Mark-Leggett from Missouri
Poured from a can. Very red in color with a white head. Smells of strawberry juice, guava and cream. Flavor follows the smell with a slight sour hint. Very enjoyable
Mar 06, 2022
3.52 by benjaminsa from Vermont on Mar 03, 2022
3.57 by ScottyB515 from Ohio on Feb 20, 2022
3.52 by Pro_Magnon from Texas on Feb 04, 2022
4.15/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan
2021 Little Things Party Pack - 12 pack
12 oz. can dated 111121 (11/11/21) - 5.5% ABV / 7 IBU
Brewed and canned in Chico, CA
Poured into a Bell's branded pub pint glass
Look - Pours a thin pinkish white head that fades away quickly. Clear, pink to red appearance with a decent amount of streaming bubbles.
Smell - Getting mostly strawberry on the nose with a dash of hibiscus and guava.
Taste - Taste follows the nose, but you get some creaminess from the malt in the aftertaste. Not really getting any tartness or sourness. Zero bitterness or alcohol taste.
Feel - Thin and crisp body with a creamy mouthfeel and finishes slightly dry. Goes down easy.
Overall - Nice strawberry flavor, and not very sour as the name implies. Easy to drink and refreshing.
Jan 23, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan
2021 Little Things Party Pack - 12 pack
12 oz. can dated 111121 (11/11/21) - 5.5% ABV / 7 IBU
Brewed and canned in Chico, CA
Poured into a Bell's branded pub pint glass
Look - Pours a thin pinkish white head that fades away quickly. Clear, pink to red appearance with a decent amount of streaming bubbles.
Smell - Getting mostly strawberry on the nose with a dash of hibiscus and guava.
Taste - Taste follows the nose, but you get some creaminess from the malt in the aftertaste. Not really getting any tartness or sourness. Zero bitterness or alcohol taste.
Feel - Thin and crisp body with a creamy mouthfeel and finishes slightly dry. Goes down easy.
Overall - Nice strawberry flavor, and not very sour as the name implies. Easy to drink and refreshing.
Jan 23, 2022
3.4 by TWStandley from Massachusetts on Jan 21, 2022
3.71 by Tiernan from Texas on Jan 11, 2022
4.28 by bubseymour from Maryland on Jan 02, 2022
4.14/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana
Wild Little Thing has a thick, pink-white head, a translucent, bubbly pink appearance, and virtually no lacing. The aroma is of faint fruit and white bread. The flavor is of a touch of sourness and fruit flavor, with pale, white bread. Wild Little Thing has a low-medium body and a very dry finish.
RJT
Dec 17, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana
Wild Little Thing has a thick, pink-white head, a translucent, bubbly pink appearance, and virtually no lacing. The aroma is of faint fruit and white bread. The flavor is of a touch of sourness and fruit flavor, with pale, white bread. Wild Little Thing has a low-medium body and a very dry finish.
RJT
Dec 17, 2021
3.66 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia on Dec 12, 2021
4 by NorbertB1974 from Germany on Nov 05, 2021
3.91 by 1mrbeer from Ohio on Oct 27, 2021
3.82/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
One twelve ounce can emptied into a clear glass Imperial pint mug reveals a liquid the color of a blush wine. There's no head, nor glass lacing. What there is first, is a fruit candy like aroma that smells more sweet than sour. The taste is mildly tart, but not at all sour. At least it's not sweet. The taste is distantly raspberry/strawberry in a very thin medium. This could be refreshing under certain circumstances, but when broken down critically, well, there's not much there there.
Oct 09, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
One twelve ounce can emptied into a clear glass Imperial pint mug reveals a liquid the color of a blush wine. There's no head, nor glass lacing. What there is first, is a fruit candy like aroma that smells more sweet than sour. The taste is mildly tart, but not at all sour. At least it's not sweet. The taste is distantly raspberry/strawberry in a very thin medium. This could be refreshing under certain circumstances, but when broken down critically, well, there's not much there there.
Oct 09, 2021
3.49 by bosgod6 from Virginia on Oct 05, 2021
4.05 by Jodio from Texas on Sep 22, 2021
4/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by aquaderek from California
This a great beer for the style. Strawberry red color, almost no head, and slightest lacing when agitated. Fruity nose strawberry and guava up front, some very mellow malt notes. Tart taste this is where the malt hibiscus-y finish shines. Light carbonation, soft mouthfeel. I usually don’t like these types of beer, but this one is a keeper.
Sep 15, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by aquaderek from California
This a great beer for the style. Strawberry red color, almost no head, and slightest lacing when agitated. Fruity nose strawberry and guava up front, some very mellow malt notes. Tart taste this is where the malt hibiscus-y finish shines. Light carbonation, soft mouthfeel. I usually don’t like these types of beer, but this one is a keeper.
Sep 15, 2021
3.25 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania on Sep 12, 2021
3.53 by BeerBeast from Florida on Sep 10, 2021
3.87/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by whynot44 from Missouri
Pretty in Pink, clear bright pink color with a decent foamy pinkish head that retains well, producing some nice lacing.
The aroma is strawberry and hibiscus.
The taste is slightly tart, just right to enhance the strawberry and guava flavor, fruit forward but thanks to the tartness, not cloying.
The body is light/medium, nice carbonation.
Overall this a refreshing, enjoyable light brew, great for summer.
Sep 09, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by whynot44 from Missouri
Pretty in Pink, clear bright pink color with a decent foamy pinkish head that retains well, producing some nice lacing.
The aroma is strawberry and hibiscus.
The taste is slightly tart, just right to enhance the strawberry and guava flavor, fruit forward but thanks to the tartness, not cloying.
The body is light/medium, nice carbonation.
Overall this a refreshing, enjoyable light brew, great for summer.
Sep 09, 2021
3.8/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Lucular from Maryland
12 oz can picked up as part of a mix-6 at Wegmans. Split with my wife, poured into a wine glass. Pours a pretty strawberry pink color with a fluffy off-white head - a typical beautiful SN pour. Aroma and flavor feature tons of fresh strawberry with hints of wheat, tart hibiscus, and guava. Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated and on the thin side. Overall it's a solid fruited sour and one of the better strawberry beers I've had. (IMO strawberry is one of the trickier fruits to do well in beer, and I'm not a big fan of hibiscus either, so SN did a good job here!)
Sep 04, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Lucular from Maryland
12 oz can picked up as part of a mix-6 at Wegmans. Split with my wife, poured into a wine glass. Pours a pretty strawberry pink color with a fluffy off-white head - a typical beautiful SN pour. Aroma and flavor feature tons of fresh strawberry with hints of wheat, tart hibiscus, and guava. Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated and on the thin side. Overall it's a solid fruited sour and one of the better strawberry beers I've had. (IMO strawberry is one of the trickier fruits to do well in beer, and I'm not a big fan of hibiscus either, so SN did a good job here!)
Sep 04, 2021
3.62 by edthehead from New York on Aug 28, 2021
2.47/5 rDev -31.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by oldcrustie from Canada (BC)
It isn’t that this beer is bad, but it is a quite ordinary fruited kettle sour. My issue is that Sierra Nevada brew such a splendid portfolio of classic beer styles and, presumably, are profitable, so what good reason would they have to release this beer? I give you that it’s pretty but, simply stated, it diminishes their brand.
Aug 20, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by oldcrustie from Canada (BC)
It isn’t that this beer is bad, but it is a quite ordinary fruited kettle sour. My issue is that Sierra Nevada brew such a splendid portfolio of classic beer styles and, presumably, are profitable, so what good reason would they have to release this beer? I give you that it’s pretty but, simply stated, it diminishes their brand.
Aug 20, 2021
3.67 by beersampler6 from Michigan on Aug 18, 2021
3.42 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Aug 16, 2021
3.42/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
12 oz can. Pours pink with tall, long-lasting, foamy pinkish head and lively carbonation. Aroma is of strawberries, funky yeast, bready malt and tropical fruit. Body is medium and smooth. Taste is funky yeast, strawberries, herbal hops and wheat malt. Long finish is sour. Refreshing brew.
Jul 26, 2021
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
12 oz can. Pours pink with tall, long-lasting, foamy pinkish head and lively carbonation. Aroma is of strawberries, funky yeast, bready malt and tropical fruit. Body is medium and smooth. Taste is funky yeast, strawberries, herbal hops and wheat malt. Long finish is sour. Refreshing brew.
Jul 26, 2021
3.71/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Beejay from Virginia
A: pale reddish pink in color, clear with a light pink head.
S: angels like a strawberry margarita. Fruity, a little tart.
T: tart sand tasty up front with berry in the back.
M: light body, moderate carbonation, dry finish.
O: overall tasty, but I could do with more bet and less fruit. I feel like the college freshman are going to love this.
Jul 23, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Beejay from Virginia
A: pale reddish pink in color, clear with a light pink head.
S: angels like a strawberry margarita. Fruity, a little tart.
T: tart sand tasty up front with berry in the back.
M: light body, moderate carbonation, dry finish.
O: overall tasty, but I could do with more bet and less fruit. I feel like the college freshman are going to love this.
Jul 23, 2021
3.65/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Tucquan from Pennsylvania
Had this on 2021-07-07 near Pittsburgh, PA from a 12oz canned on 2021-04-06
A - Pretty clear pink with a light pink1-finger head
S - Strawberry, kiwi,
T - Strawberry jam on white toast with a bit of lime. Mildly sour and very mild bitterness.
M - Light-medium body and carbonation. Refreshing
O - A mild, summer drink. Not quite like beer Kool-Aid but leaning that way. Not my favorite style but well done for what it is.
Jul 07, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Tucquan from Pennsylvania
Had this on 2021-07-07 near Pittsburgh, PA from a 12oz canned on 2021-04-06
A - Pretty clear pink with a light pink1-finger head
S - Strawberry, kiwi,
T - Strawberry jam on white toast with a bit of lime. Mildly sour and very mild bitterness.
M - Light-medium body and carbonation. Refreshing
O - A mild, summer drink. Not quite like beer Kool-Aid but leaning that way. Not my favorite style but well done for what it is.
Jul 07, 2021
Wild Little Thing from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
199 ratings