Nothing goes together quite as swimmingly as summer and beer. They both just make you smile. I recently got a grin out of a limited release brew from Lagunitas called Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale. Sure, the name made me giggle, too. But after one sip, I was beaming ear to ear from the delicious flavor and that happy lull that only a good beer can make you feel.

Upon first glance, the beer invites you in: golden, hazy, bubbling joyfully, and lathered in mustache-yielding foam. When you tilt glass to nose, the hops waft up. Those delicious, bright, mouth-popping hops! Sturdy on the palette, this thirst-quenching ale dances and cajoles, finishing with a hoppy note of tomato vine and of summer.

This unique brew combines three kinds of wheat with “every hop that starts with the letter C,” according to the folks at Lagunitas. I’m no fan of wheat beers, but this one really strikes my fancy. I believe I have all those hops to thank for the upbeat impact of this beer on my taste buds.

This is a brew worth repeating. Yet, like summer, all good things must come to an end. I stumbled upon one of the last six-packs of this limited release ale available for the season. I sure hope Lagunitas revives this ale next summer. In the meantime, if you happen across any, let me know where it’s being sold. I’ll be eternally grateful.

Cheers!