Heritic Evil Cousin 6Pk

Heretic Evil Cousin 6Pk is a West Coast Imperial IPA from Heretic Brewing Company in California, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans at 8.0% ABV. With 100 IBUs and a 3.9 out of 5 rating across more than 41,700 reviews on Untappd, Evil Cousin has earned a loyal following among hop-forward beer drinkers who prize aggressive bitterness balanced by tropical fruit aromatics.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  IBU: 100  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: West Coast Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Heretic Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Heretic Brewing Company operates out of Fairfield, California, founded by Jamil Zainasheff — a respected figure in the American craft brewing community and an award-winning homebrewer turned professional. Evil Cousin leans into the dank, resinous side of the West Coast IPA tradition, employing Summit hops as a cornerstone of the grain bill to deliver that signature sticky, piney aggression. At 100 IBUs, this Imperial IPA pushes hop bitterness to its perceptible limit while maintaining drinkability at 8.0% ABV — a balancing act that separates well-made double IPAs from one-note bitterness bombs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin leads immediately, followed by waves of grapefruit zest and ripe pineapple. A subtle honey-like malt sweetness lurks beneath the hops, adding depth without competing for attention.

Taste: The entry is smooth and deceptively approachable given the IBU count, with pineapple candy and zested lemon arriving on the front palate. At mid-palate, the malt backbone introduces a light honey sweetness and a fleeting cooked banana note, while a white wine-like brightness cuts through. The peak brings the full dank, sticky, resinous hop character that defines this beer — earthy, aggressive, and uncompromising.

Finish: Long and resinous, with pine needles and lingering grapefruit pith bitterness that coats the palate. The finish dries out cleanly, inviting another sip rather than overwhelming.

How to Drink Evil Cousin

Pour Evil Cousin into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex pine and tropical nose. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness on a hot day; use it in a Beer-a-Rita with lime juice and a salted rim, where the citrus hops amplify the margarita effect; or build a Michelada with tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime — the resinous backbone stands up to bold savory flavors without disappearing.

Best For

• Hop-obsessed IPA drinkers seeking a maximally bitter, dank West Coast experience
• Bringing a respected six-pack to a backyard barbecue or craft beer share
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or smoked foods that need an equally assertive beer
• Fans of Pliny the Elder looking for a comparable Imperial IPA at wider availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evil Cousin taste like? Evil Cousin delivers an intensely hoppy profile dominated by dank pine resin, grapefruit, and pineapple, supported by a light malt sweetness with honey and lemon zest undertones. It finishes dry and resinous with lingering bitterness.

How does Evil Cousin compare to Pliny the Elder? Both are California-brewed West Coast Imperial IPAs with aggressive hop profiles, and reviewers have noted Evil Cousin matches Pliny the Elder's light body and bitterness intensity. Evil Cousin leans more toward dank, piney, resinous character from its Summit hop backbone, while Pliny the Elder is often described as more balanced with floral and citrus-forward hops.

Is Evil Cousin good for hopheads? At 100 IBUs and 8.0% ABV with an intentionally dank, sticky hop profile, Evil Cousin is built specifically for drinkers who want maximum hop aggression. It is not an introductory IPA — this one rewards experienced palates that enjoy resinous bitterness.

Where is Evil Cousin made? Evil Cousin is brewed by Heretic Brewing Company in Fairfield, California, in the North Bay region between San Francisco and Sacramento. The brewery was founded by Jamil Zainasheff, a well-known figure in the American craft brewing world.

What foods pair well with Evil Cousin? Spicy buffalo wings match the beer's bitterness with heat for a complementary intensity. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar let the malt sweetness and hop resin play off the charred, fatty richness. Fish tacos with lime and cilantro echo the citrus notes. Aged jack cheese highlights the piney, earthy character. Thai green curry's coconut and lemongrass bring out the tropical pineapple undertones.

What sizes does Evil Cousin come in? Evil Cousin is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Evil Cousin worth the price? Evil Cousin positions as a craft Imperial IPA in the mid-range price tier for six-packs, delivering 8.0% ABV and 100 IBUs — strong value compared to many limited-release double IPAs that command significantly higher prices for comparable intensity and quality.

Why Evil Cousin?

Evil Cousin stands out in the crowded Imperial IPA field by committing fully to the dank, resinous side of the hop spectrum rather than chasing the hazy, juicy trend that dominates much of the current market. The use of Summit hops gives it a distinctive sticky, piney fingerprint that separates it from citrus-leaning competitors. With over 41,700 Untappd ratings holding at 3.9 out of 5, this is a beer that has built its reputation through consistent delivery rather than hype cycles. For West Coast IPA purists who believe bitterness is a feature and not a flaw, Evil Cousin remains one of California's most reliable expressions of the style.