Anderson Valley Heelch O'Hops 6Pk Cans

Anderson Valley Heelch O'Hops 6Pk Cans is an Imperial IPA from Boonville, California, packaged in a six-pack of cans at 8.6% ABV and 100 IBUs. The name draws from Boontling — the obscure regional dialect of Boonville — where "Heelch" translates to "a lot," making this literally "Much Hops." With over 35,700 ratings on Untappd and a 3.7 out of 5 average, Heelch O'Hops has earned a loyal following among hop-forward beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.6%  |  Origin: Boonville, California  |  Style: Imperial / Double IPA  |  IBU: 100  |  Brewery: Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Anderson Valley Brewing Company was founded in 1987 in the small town of Boonville, nestled in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. The brewery has long embraced the local Boontling dialect across its beer names, giving the lineup a distinctly regional identity. Heelch O'Hops is built on a triple-hop bill of Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade — chosen for their complementary profiles of sharp bitterness, resinous pine, and bright citrus. A substantial malt backbone supports the aggressive 100 IBU bitterness, placing this squarely in double IPA territory at 8.6% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pink grapefruit dominates the nose immediately, followed by resinous redwood needles and a layer of sticky pine. A subtle sweetness underneath hints at biscuit malt and tropical fruit.

Taste: The entry is bold and citrus-driven — orange rind and lemon peel cut through a rich, biscuit-like malt foundation. Mid-palate, the hop character expands into mango and peppercorn notes, while caramel-tinged grain sweetness balances the blistering bitterness. The 100 IBUs are unmistakable but never feel unruly thanks to the malt density.

Finish: Deep and warming, with pine resin and citrus pith lingering well after the last sip. The alcohol warmth is present but integrated, a reminder of the beer's imperial strength.

How to Drink Heelch O'Hops

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully; drinking straight from the can will mute the complex nose. As a standalone sipper, Heelch O'Hops rewards patience — the flavors shift and deepen as the beer warms slightly in the glass. While this Imperial IPA is built for drinking on its own, it also works in a hop-forward Beer-garita (blending IPA with lime juice, agave, and a salted rim), a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness, or a Michelada variation where the pine and citrus play well against tomato juice and hot sauce.

Best For

• Hop enthusiasts seeking high-IBU Imperial IPAs with complexity beyond raw bitterness
• Exploring California craft brewing heritage from a pioneering Mendocino County brewery
• Pairing with bold, spicy food where lighter beers would be overwhelmed
• Sharing with friends who appreciate aggressive double IPAs and regional brewing culture

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Heelch O'Hops taste like? Heelch O'Hops delivers intense pine, grapefruit, and orange rind hop flavors balanced by a biscuit-like malt sweetness and hints of mango and peppercorn. The 100 IBU bitterness is assertive but well-supported by a warming, caramel-edged body at 8.6% ABV.

How does Heelch O'Hops compare to Surly Abrasive? Both are high-ABV Imperial IPAs with aggressive hop profiles and triple-digit IBUs, but Heelch O'Hops leans more toward pine and grapefruit from its Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hop bill, while Surly Abrasive tends to emphasize a sharper, more resinous bitterness. Heelch O'Hops also carries a slightly more prominent malt backbone with biscuit and caramel notes.

Is Heelch O'Hops good for sipping neat? Yes — at 8.6% ABV, this Imperial IPA is designed to be savored slowly, ideally poured into a glass where the aromatic complexity of grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruit can fully develop. It rewards patient drinking more than quick consumption.

Where is Heelch O'Hops made? Heelch O'Hops is brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, a small town in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley in Northern California. The brewery was founded in 1987 and is known for using the local Boontling dialect in its beer names.

What foods pair well with Heelch O'Hops? Spicy Thai curry works well, as the hop bitterness and citrus cut through rich coconut-based sauces. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the caramel malt sweetness. Grilled jalapeño burgers match the beer's intensity, while smoked brisket benefits from the pine and citrus contrast. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage echoes the beer's deep, warming finish.

What sizes does Heelch O'Hops come in? Heelch O'Hops is available in a standard six-pack of cans.

Is Heelch O'Hops worth the price? Heelch O'Hops positions as a mid-range Imperial IPA, and the 8.6% ABV with 100 IBUs and a complex triple-hop bill deliver strong value within the double IPA category. For hop-forward beer drinkers, it represents a well-constructed take on the style from a respected California craft brewery.

Why Heelch O'Hops?

Heelch O'Hops stands on the strength of its hop architecture — the Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade combination creates a layered experience that moves from sharp citrus to resinous pine to unexpected tropical and spice notes, all anchored by a malt bill substantial enough to keep the 100 IBUs from becoming punishing. It comes from one of Northern California's pioneering craft breweries, rooted in a community so distinctive it developed its own language. The beer's name itself is a piece of that cultural identity. For drinkers who want an Imperial IPA with genuine regional character and a hop profile that goes beyond one-dimensional bitterness, Heelch O'Hops earns its place.