Ninja Vs. Unicorn - Pipeworks Brewing Company

UCLABrewN84

California

3.68/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to queens1130 for sharing this one at drewone's tasting.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, and citrus zest. Taste is much the same with a medium hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I think it smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 22:37:10 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with three fingers of foam; the persistance is excellent, leaving squiggles of lace behind on the pint glass

Smell: Very piney, but there is also an unusual green onion and sage tone

Taste: A hint of sugar cookie malt and then the hops take over very aggressively; piney to an extreme, but there are other elements that are harder to define, as well - I'll put them in the green onion and sage category for lack of a more precise descriptor; this unusual flavor dominates the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation but mouth-puckering dryness, in the aftertaste

Overall: I don't think I have ever had my mouth dry out from the hops quite like this before; in the hop profile, others are finding tropical flavors but that doesn't capture what is happening on my palate; I'm really curious about the hops that were used but cannot find any reference to that anywhere; I wonder whether the name of the beer offers a clue; perhaps Ninja refers to West Coast "C" hops and the Unicorn refers to European Noble hops battling it out

Thanks to hoppymeal for making this possible

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 23:24:57 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a hazy beige color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some good lacing. Aroma of floral hops with a mix between some citrus hops with resinous notes is quite exquisite. Taste is a super great mix between huge floral notes of citrus hops with some resinous notes with a good malt backbone with just enough sweetness to sustain the hops presence. Body is full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Huge hops bomb with more floral then bitter notes.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 19:37:05 | More by Phyl21ca

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

Finally getting a chance to try out some beer from this much-ballyhoo'ed new brewery. It pours a clear brass topped by a finger or so of bone foam. The nose comprises mandarin orange, light mango, a sprig of background-dwelling leek, and a nice, smooth mixture of of honey and sweet caramel. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a twinge of pineapple and a small bite of both spearmint and pine resin. The balance at work is really quite nice. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta sticky finish. Overall, a pretty tasty DIPA, one that showcases both a pleasantly fruity hoppiness and a solid balance. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 23:18:37 | More by TMoney2591

MasterSki

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased at Binny's - Marcy St. Served in a Darkness glass.

A - Two fingers of creamy white foam that settle to a thin cap, thick collar, and splotchy lace. Transparent bronze body.

S - Hefty doses of citrus zest, tropical fruits, pine, and perhaps a touch of sugar cookie malt in the background. Definitely on the more attenuated side of the double IPA scale, which I appreciate.

T - Taste is solid, but not quite as defined as the aroma. More on the ripe orange and tangerine citrus side of things, with less of the exotic tropical flavors. Perhaps a tad more in the way of malt balance - some lightly sugary and bready flavors - but still pretty hop-forward. The last 6oz are pretty palate-bruising - *almost* too much.

M - Carbonation is on the lower side of things, and the body is a tad thin, which combines to make this feel a touch watery. Otherwise it's a nice smooth medium body, with an exceptionally dry finish. Perhaps a touch of alcohol warmth, but not out of line for 8.5%.

D - This is a really good beer. I've never been particularly impressed with Pipeworks' test batches so this is a pleasant surprise, and also bodes well for the future. I hope this becomes a rotating offering as I'd intersperse my Dreadnaught and Maharajah purchases with this beer. Drank the whole bomber on my own with no problem whatsoever.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 00:04:13 | More by MasterSki

emerge077

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Glad to see Pipeworks' first beer from the brewery out into the world...

Into a tulip glass it pours a bright saturated golden orange. Plenty of lacing all around the glass forming drippy irregular patterns.

Eucalyptus and light citrus aromas, initial blast of resinous hops, slight pale malt sweetness bleeds through eventually.

Citrus rind, grapefruit and tangerine, a moderate bitterness, and an exceptionally light feel for an 8.5% DIPA. Crisp and clean, finishes with lots of hoppy nuance to keep you interested. Some vegetal bitterness lingers alongside pleasant citrus notes. Very tasty and a solid first entry into the market.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 03:52:05 | More by emerge077

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a tulip glass)
A- This beer pours a clear apricot orange body with a bubbly beige head that sticks on the glass with each sip. There is a slow motion carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- The green woody hops are full but a bit softer than in the taste.

T- The slightly pungent big woody green hops have some citrus notes to follow with a slight malt sweetness that tends to dry out as it opens in the finish. There is a green spicy hop note that lingers after each sip.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a tight little fizz and no alcohol heat noticed.

O- This is a nice full hop monster with some good depth to the woody and spicy hops supported by a lurking malt note but still drinks pretty fast.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 21:17:13 | More by rhoadsrage

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to rudzud for sharing.

Creamy fizzy 1/2 finger head fades slowly with light lacing over hazy mango orange colored beer. Head keeps building and not fading, good for the abv and ibu count.

Nose fresh tropical fruit, light grapefruit, hint of musty resins, guava, even hint of pineapple but no real orange citrus, and a light fluffy wheat malt.

Taste starts fluffy, nice creamy malts, light sweetness. Then hops, bitterness builds and ramps quite a bit, nice tropical fruit but not as much as the nose, light pineapple, grapefruit, guava, etc. the hops turn slightly piny and spicy. No resin or orange citrus. Light candy flavored though. Finish is dry and quite biter, spicy hops mostly with a hint of tropical fruits, etc, and slightly oily.

Moth is med bodied, good carb, slight oily hop.

Overall nice, good hops really nice tropical fruit but weird that it's without the orange citrus, light resin, booze is hidden well tasty and goes down easy.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 02:56:33 | More by jlindros

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had during the 2nd Annual Redneck Racin’ & Tastin’ while tailgating at the dirt track race! Big thanks goes out to marine1975 for this one! Served from bottle into a NoDa snifter. Poured a golden yellow half finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wheat, citrus, citrus hop, and fruit. The flavor was of sweet malt, citrus, citrus hop, fruit, earth, and spice. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. I went into this one really wanting to be wowed, but found it to be a little bit of a letdown. It was just a little too middle of the row for this style. The citrus aspect was definitely welcomed as it kept it out of the middle of the pack slightly, but I would have loved to see something completely different to make it stand out from the rest.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 13:05:54 | More by thagr81us

smakawhat

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A good simple off white head is produced with lots of staying power. Foamy, mish mash of bubble sizes, sitting on top of what looks like an unfiltered frozen amber orange body.

Nose is a fairly nice hop blast sort of one dimensional, but gets into faint apricot and zesty orange. A dry biscuit aroma creeps out later.

Palate doesn't come with much richness, but a controlled slightly wet sense. Mouthfeel seems to hint at a little bit of fizz, but luckily not very much present. Orange hop bitter sense creeps in mid way, but loses a bit on the finish. Dry pine action comes in with a nice astringency, but is almost medicinal. Sugar malt bent or hit of biscuit from the nose is non existent on the palate.

Overall it's not bad, fairly drinkable with something to enjoy but can't say I am really drawn to this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 19:28:01 | More by smakawhat

FosterJM

California

3.93/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1454th Review on BA
Bottle to Parra Tulip
22oz

Thanks to Dvelcich for this one

App- Top fading dark orange to light with yellow highlights. Huge puffy head with a semi- fast receding rate. Great cling like a merinque. Super creamy looking in the glass.

Smell- Big fat juicy nug hops with a strong booze and malty spicy note. Great aromatics and a fullness on the nose.

Taste- This is a very creamy DIPA. Hops stick out for days. The balance is incredible. Cery hoppy with a good malt balance. Earthy and flavors abound.

Mouth- A fuller medium body with a medium carbonation. Full hoppy creamy residual flavors.

Drink- Hot damn thats good. It could be dropped down a bit on the bitter to increase it up to an overall 4.5 but for a huge bitter hoppy DIPA. It gets the job done.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 04:43:59 | More by FosterJM

AgentZero

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by Kan (I believe) at Hunaphu's Day.

A - A nice looking amber colored beer with a small white head that had nice retention and left some good lace.

S - Lots of tropical fruit, particularly in the pineapple and mango vein, with some good resin and a touch of pine to break it up. Pretty aromatic. The malt backbone seems appropriately present without being overpowering.

T - Very well done. Some nice resin and bitterness in the front that is quickly mellowed out by some nice tropical fruit and malt sweetness. Good example of the style.

M - Medium bodied, a little sticky, good carbonation.

O - A very fine offering and a very promising first release. I was pleasantly surprised. Can't go wrong drinking this beer, and it's worth trying for those who like DIPA's.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 15:21:09 | More by AgentZero

ehammond1

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, DLFarris!

Unfiltered golden orange with a large, moonscape near-white head that lasts and lasts, eventually leaving some irregular lacing down the glass.

A sweet and somewhat simple aroma, and probably this beer's weak spot, if it has one. There's mild citrus and simple syrup aromas combining pleasantly.

Moderately bitter, decent pine and citrus presence, orange syrup, and just a hint of alcohol presence.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Lingering citrus flavor. Very nice.

Very nice, though it was better at colder temperatures.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 01:42:50 | More by ehammond1

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Alex (Masterski) for sending this beer along.

There is a place on the label for "Bottled on" date, but it's blank. I know it's fresh, as Alex wouldn't send it otherwise, but it's interesting the brewery didn't mark it.

A finger of fizzy off white head quickly settles to a cap of foam. A slightly hazy orange/brown/amber color with a decent amount of escaping carbonation. Sheet of lace on one side of my glass.

The aroma seems fresh at first, then clicks over to a buttery note. Lots of fruit and some tropical notes here.

The buttery sense is evident in the flavor as well. Some pine up front, lots of fruit and the buttery notes. As I work through the glass and I become accustomed to the buttery sense, there is more pine and green hop flavors coming through. I like the amount of sweetness, it heightens some of the fruit flavors but does not get in the way. What’s interesting is that it’s growing on me and the tropical notes are coming forward. Some tangerine and even a touch of mango.

Not astringent, but almost powdery dry on your tongue. Not too much, just the opposite of oily. This seems to accentuate the bitterness towards the end.

At first I wasn’t sure, but this grew on me. Nice.

Thanks Alex.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 21:29:37 | More by Reagan1984

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle to CBS snifter. Thanks to robbiemoy13 for this one. Batch #13: Bottled 5/15/12 (only about 3 weeks old!)

A - Medium hazy orange with a golden glow along the bottom. Half a finger of off-white head formed and reduced to a thin layer.

S - Big grapefruit and tangerine aromas up front accompany a fairly assertive bitterness. A slightly sweet malt backbone adds a touch of balance. A very fresh nose, as expected.

T - A huge bitterness up front with big grapefruit, pine and orange zest flavours. The malt backbone definitely plays a secondary role but is evident, adding some caramel.

M - Medium body with a really big chew. Full of resinous hop oils. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 00:24:22 | More by TheSevenDuffs

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Recieved in a trade, many thanks! Batch 13. Poured into a Duvel tulip.

A - Wow, nice DIPA here. Nice slightly hazy golden orange yellowy pour, more on the yellow than orange with a nice big almost three finger head that is is sudsy and leaved big thick clumpy side lacing and a nice thick blanket.

S - Wow, this is pretty freakin solid. Great citrusy tropical hops with oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, and light papaya. Slight sweetness from malts.

T - Wow, this is tasty too. Not quite what I was expecting based off the nose but nice nevertheless. This is a bit more piney and grapefruit peel than tropical, which is unfortunate. Still nice and tasty with just the faintest of tropics on the end. Quite bitter on the finish.

M - Mouthfeel is quite nice, the carbonation keeps this feelin abit lighter but the alcohol is clear and forward. Wish it was hidden a bit more. Nice and bitter.

O - Overall this was a very enjoyable beer. Glad I got to try it and would definitely consider trading for it again. With the tropics came across more on the flavour though.

S -

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 02:23:08 | More by rudzud

claspada

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from West Lakeview Liquors, most recent release - Batch 25, so it was bottled sometime mid-July.

Pours a semi-translucent dark golden/bronze color with a semi-large fluffy white to off-white head that recedes into a thin cap, thick collar with some splotchy lacing remaining.

Aromas begin with a hefty doses of citrus zest, tropical fruits, pine and a subtle amount of grassy hops as well. As it warms I get a hint of the malty backbone highlighted by a slightly sweet sugar cookie-like doughiness.

The tastes follow the nose with some lightly sugary and bready maltiness but then you are immediately greeted with the ripe orange and tangerine citrus hop flavors. As with most beers the tropical fruits and pineapple aren't as present in he taste with a more pine, resiny hop flavor. with less of the exotic tropical flavors.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Previous batches had some low carbonation issues but this one is dialed in. There is a pleasantly slightly assertive dry finish; definitely on the more attenuated side of the double IPA scale, which I appreciate to avoid excess sugary sweetness that plagues some of this style.

Overall this is a super beer; my first from Pipeworks and I can say it won't be my last. It is a super dialed in recipe that has clearly been developed and perfected by the brewer and I can see why even though they have only bottled less than 30 total batches of beer they decided to make this one 6 times already. This is a really good beer. Highly recommended and well worth seeking out if you can get it fresh (like all DIPA).

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:52:29 | More by claspada

Sean9689

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from WLV Liquors. Poured into Darkness tulip.

A - Pours a clear darker golden/slight orange color, white head that creates a think collar and wisps on top with some bubbles here and there.

S - Dank hoppy nose, big pine, light malty sweetness. The bitter hops hit you right away and the slight sweetness finishes things off nice and smooth. As it warms, the malts shine though a bit more, but there's always that pine hitting you again and again.

T - Smooth hoppy bitterness, some citrus peel, pine, malty sweetness. The booze is surprisingly there for 8.5% disappoints me a little bit, I was hoping it would be as smooth as the nose. Finish is huge bitter hops that attack the palate relentlessly.

M - Light body, good carbonation, oily finish.

O - Well, color me impressed with Pipeworks first official release. I like that fact it's 8.5% and not something like 12% where I can only have a glass. Gerrit & Beejay, good stuff guys, keep 'em coming!

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 01:13:45 | More by Sean9689

merc7186

New York

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Trxxpaxxs for sharing this great bottle.

Bomber into snifter.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Some Lacing

S: Citrus, Floral, Mild Grapefruit Rind

T: Citrus, Orange Peels, Floral, Mild Grapefruit Rind

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Bitter

Overall, pretty solid DIPA with nice citrus flavors and bitter notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 04:06:28 | More by merc7186

bashiba

Iowa

2.6/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured a cloudy amber/orange with a light thin off white head.

The smell was very buttery diacetyly with a big shot of green pine and juniper.

The flavor is diacetyl laden as well, big buttery and slick with most of the hops being bittering hops, has a strong juniper bitter finish, with a bit of sweet caramel malt sneaking through a bit. A very strange blend.

The mouthfeel was slick and resiny.

Not a good double IPA, very flawed, couldn't even finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 12:37:56 | More by bashiba

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650ml bottle.

It pours what I would call a peach-ish gold with a frothy white head.

The smell is sweet with some tropical mango and a hint of caramel.

Taste is a bit of caramel, marmalade, some citrus notes, not too much barley or caramel like the nose. Very clean fruit flavor with some basic sugary sweetness. Medium bitterness. Love the flavor.

It is a good fruit-forward ipa. I had it just about a month old so take that for what it is worth. An extra kick off bitterness and hop aroma would've done this beer wonders.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 03:02:50 | More by crossovert

Florida9

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Slightly hazy light golden amber in color. Forms a small, but dense bright white head that has some pretty good staying power. Moderate lacing.

S: Very aromatic with notes of tropical fruit, orange, and mango. Lots of citrus hops and some lesser caramel malts.

T: Starts off with a bit of a biscuit maltiness. Then lots of pine and pine resin with some citrus hops as well. Tropical fruit to a lesser extent - much less than the nose would suggest. Finishes with a strong dry bitterness.

M: Medium bodied and dry with a carbonation level that is bit higher than it should be. Strong, lingering bitterness.

O: This is a great DIPA. Very clean flavors with a very aggressive bitterness. Would have preferred more of the tropical aromas of the nose carried over to the taste, but it is was it is. Very nice beer - can't wait until this becomes more readily available.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 22:48:25 | More by Florida9

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.06/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear, soft orange, slight finger of white head.

Aroma: citrus fruit, really juicy, sweet orange, pineapple, some flowers, pine.

Taste: big tropical fruits, orange, mango, pineapple, sweet caramel and bread.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, rich and creamy, nice carbonation.

Overall: not boozy, full without being heavy, great flavor and aroma profiles.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 01:25:47 | More by EgadBananas

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.48/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to emerge for sharing this one.

A - Somewhat clear golden orange with an eggshell thick white head and spotty lacing.

S - Tropical fruit, mango pineapple, tangerine, papaya, light hint of pine and soft caramel malt.

T - Juicy ripe tropical fruit, mango, tangerine some grapefruit and more pine than was noticeable in aroma. Candied oranges and honey. Nicely balanced, on the sweeter side for a DIPA but more in a candied fruit way and than caramel/crystal malt way.

M - Medium body and juicy. Lingering hop resin.

D - Very smooth and well balanced. Excellent DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 00:27:49 | More by brewcrew76

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bomber (Batch #008 brewed 3/21/12 bottled 4/9/12) into a dimple mug. Pours a beautiful deep golden amber with orange hues along a bright white head which leaves gorgeous lacing throughout. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon notes with piney undertones in the nose. Flavors of resin, floral and citrus notes dominate upfront-orange peel. Transitions into a slight sweetness and a touch of malt. Finishes with a crisp, sharp hop bite with pine undertones that gradually relents into smooth silk. Medium body that is very appropriate and completely adequate for a DIPA. Medium to lower carbonation, enough to gentle tickle the tongue and roof of the mouth beckoning you to partake in another mouthful. Silky smooth mouthfeel. Excellent DIPA from Pipeworks. Thanks funkyaudio for this beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 21:23:10 | More by CuriousMonk