Blood Of The Unicorn - Pipeworks Brewing Company

UCLABrewN84

California

3.79/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to GRG1313 for sharing this one at his tasting.

Batch # 70.

Pours a murky orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. A foamy curtain of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with citrus zest flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some solid aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 05:43:13 | More by UCLABrewN84

Vonerichs

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The color is a nice, clear, rusty red-orange hue. Assertive head leaves no lacing.

It has a pleasant aroma of ruby red grapefruit covered with sugar, caramel, and brown sugar.

I'll be honest, most hoppy reds are indistinguishable to me. This is no different. It has a nice grapefruit hop bite backed by a strong caramel malt backbone.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and clean.

Overall, a fine hoppy red but nothing that separates it from the pack of this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:29:11 | More by Vonerichs

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.01/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Appears a nice dark red color with small, one finger, bright white head.

S - Very hoppy, piney, good malt background.

T - Hoppiness takes a backseat to a full malt character. Malt is a tad fruity, but also bitter and bready.

M - Full mouthfeel, smooth.

Overall - I was a tad disappointed in what I thought was going to be a highly hoppy beer from the smell.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:52:46 | More by BeerBuckeye

timc100

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Batch 102

A: Blood of unicorn bro - ruby red blended with blood orange. Great american strong ale-looking head - orange tinged beige with sticky big bubble lacing.

S: Not incredibly complex, but great. Big sticky, resinous pine and sugared grapefruit peel. A slight bubble-gum sweetness. Orange peel and mango follow. Not incredibly malty, but sticky caramel and toffee are definitely the backbone. Enticing

T: Tastes like a really hoppy american strong ale. Big slap of bitterness hits first, then malty and fruity hop sweetness on the middle of the mouth, the resinous pine cones and caramel coat the mouth. Very sticky and fresh

P: Sticky, chewy, very solid medium body pushing to full. Carbonation does not get in the way.

O: I had a previous batch of this and can tell they are improving. Much fuller and more vibrant. Great stuff

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 18:58:32 | More by timc100

wyatt13

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Batch 102. Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into my 7venth Sun tulip glass.

A - Pours a deep ruby red, topped off with a two-finger head of creamy foam. Lots of visible carbonation. Great head retention and impressive lacing.

S - Right away, I get a lot of hop character of the pine / grass variety with a smoothed bitterness. A good caramelized malt presence as well here.

T - Loads and loads of hops at the front, with actually less of a staunch malt backbone than I was expecting from something labeled as an "Imperial Red Ale." Nonetheless, the taste is unavoidably delicious. Very drinkable as well, despite the 8.5% ABV.

M - A little bit fuller bodied, with a high carbonation level that I was expecting from the appearance. A bit dry, but not prohibitively so.

O - Great beer, although not exactly what I was expecting. Despite the color, instead of an imperial red, I would consider this more of a maltier DIPA. Whatever the heck you want to call it though, give it a try!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:02:29 | More by wyatt13

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.01/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz, 3/12/13
Batch 102
HF wine glass

A: Pours a hazy orange, reddish amber color. Initially about a finger of off white head. Leaves some sticky lacing sheets as it fades into bubbles on the top of brew.

S: Earthy and piney hops for sure. Getting a really spicy aroma too. East coast/Mid-west IPA like nose. Some breadiness from the malts, but not as much caramel or nuttiness.

T: Bitterness on tip of tongue. Those crisp earthy piney hops are right there. Really delicious meshing of the malt bill mid-mouth. Works well with those spicy hops. The finish is dry with lingering bitterness.

M: Big medium bodied brew. Drinks more like IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 14:26:21 | More by inlimbo77

KFBR392

Illinois

3.24/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: on the brighter side of a red amber imperial ale. Thin head with some very light lacing throughout. Slightly below average carbonation.

Smell: smoked malt and a thick caramel aroma. A crispy hop presence.

Taste: the front is a smooth thickness of caramel and molasses. Some sweet sugar accents really kiss well on the front end. The body get overridden by very bitter hops which stand out too much. Not as much of a dry finish as I expected aftertaste after the body.

Mouthfeel:I the freshness of this beer creates a very clean mouthfeel.

Overall: a little disappointed by this brew. I thought the red ale aspects of this beer got a little lost overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 18:42:47 | More by KFBR392

GuzzLah

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - hazy dark amber with a short white head.

S - prominent pine, citrus, soft malt with a hint of roast.

T - juicy citrus dominates upfront with a piney and soft roasty finish.

M - medium body, low-medium carbonation. Oily. Medium and pleasant bitterness with a short-medium sustain.

O - enjoyable, smooth and flawless.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 00:53:40 | More by GuzzLah

kodt

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #70 poured into Snifter from 22oz bomber.

A - Deep amber / brown, a little cloudy, good sized foamy head.

S - Pine and Citrus hops, like a DIPA.

T - Great balance of hops and malty red ale. Not as hoppy as it smells initially, but enough to give it a good bite. Great balance of a red ale and DIPA.

M - Smooth, medium carbonation, not too light.

O - A very solid beer. The balance of styles is great here.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 17:17:38 | More by kodt

socon67

New York

3.96/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Batch #22 cracked for the Superbowl.

A - Pours a dark amber with strong red hue. Lacing is nice as is the foam retention. Bubbly head pours high and settled slowly.

S - The initial smell from the glass is of earthy hops and similar to a DIPA. As it warmed there was more of a light malt and berry smell.

T - Some initial sweetness of light fruit that is balanced by a strong hop forward bitterness. This is very close to an IPA in an amber label. Very similar to Troegs Nugget Nectar in that the sugary flavors and malt profile is dominated by blended hops.

M - Feels lighter than it is and is lightly carbonated. I think one was enough however because of the strong hop forward body.

O - Fun beer and from an emerging brewery. If I lived in Chicagoland I'd take this fresh over Nugget Nectar.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 13:24:11 | More by socon67

lbj12s

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

This is an absolutely delicious hoppy red ale. Think a very hoppy version of great lakes Nosferatu. If you like imperial red's, and ipa's, this is a wonderful marriage of the two. If you happen to be lucky enough to see this beer on the shelf at your liquor store, do yourself a favor and pick one up.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:31:14 | More by lbj12s

vic21234

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a snifter, Batch #42.

A- Pours a hazy mahogany color with a half to full finger of an off-white head. The head leaves a thin film along the top with some sticky lacing along the sides.

S- Great hop presence in the smell. The aroma is very fruity and citrusy, with grapefruit and mango notes dominant.

T- This one surprised me with the amount of hop kick to it. The hops overwhelm in this one. Tons of pine and citrus hops. The taste of sweet malts are there slightly, but drowned out by the hops.

M- Medium bodied, well carbonated, bitter, very dry finish.

This one drinks like a DIPA in my opinion. Good stuff, just more hoppy than I would have thought for a red.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 02:20:18 | More by vic21234

Grohnke

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, deep copper. With the mix of browns and reds, it actually looks like a snifter full of blood. Persistent and creamy egg-nog colored head. Light lacing forms on the glass

Nose is bursting with pine and tropical fruit like citrus. Massively hopped. A sharp caramel note supports the hops. Light bready/biscuit malt is buried beneath. Light trace of alcohol.

The sharp caramel note that was in the nose comes out a bit stronger in taste and carried by an onslaught of bright, resiny citrus and pine hops. There is a surprisingly great balance of bready malt, caramel sweetness and hop resin that come together very well on the palate. Hop bitterness is strong, but not overbearing. The finish is moderately dry . The aftertaste is long and reverts back to the balance of the nose, where the hops are in the forefront with subtle caramel sweetness in the background.

Medium body, medium carbonation. Very smooth and creamy. Theres a residual stickiness that lingers on my lips that feels equal parts residual sugars and hop resin. Light trace of alcohol warmth.

Although on first sniff this beer seems like its going to be massively dry, and hop-centered, it turns, the malt profile was ample enough to level things out and make a wonderfully balanced imperial red.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 01:29:43 | More by Grohnke

warnerry

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Batch 42

A - Pours deep amber with some crimson and almost three fingers of tan head. Head has nice retention and leaves lots of lacing.

S - Hops and malts battle for prevalence, but I think piney hops win out. Also a lot of caramel malt and a bit of biscuit. Some noticeable alcohol.

T - Similar to the smell there is a nice hop presence, mostly pine. Caramel malt provides some nice balance without becoming sweet. Also some biscuit taste. Very nice.

M - Very smooth medium mouthfeel with bitterness throughout and a lingering earthiness.

O - Another nice one from Pipeworks, and another example of how increasing the hop component can take a style I don't like and make it very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 01:17:09 | More by warnerry

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a deep red/brown color ale with a large light brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of citrus and earthy hops is dominant with medium sweet caramelized malt notes. Taste is also dominated by earthy and citrus hops notes with some semi-sweet caramelized malt notes. Body is quite full with good carbonation. Nicely done with good hops punch and a solid malt bill.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 19:43:22 | More by Phyl21ca

Jaycase

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

batch 42

a: very dark caramel. insane khaki frothy head.

s: caramel and bready. piney hops.

t: combination of caramel maltiness crossed with piney hops. The malts quickly fade leaving the piney hops to remain. finishes with some good bitterness which seems to last as long as sound emitting from a cymbal does after being hit with a drum stick.

m: thickish mouthfeel. carbonation seems spot on. finishes very dry.

o: a good functional brew from Pipeworks. Alcohol does not hide itself. In their unicorn series, I definitely prefer Ninja vs Unicorn but glad I had a chance to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 01:13:19 | More by Jaycase

Keyportnick

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is great with a nice copper/amber color

Smell- biscuit and Suttble pine/citrus hops

Taste-biscut and strong pine bitter hops

Mouthfeel- nice medium body good slightly stronger carbonation.

Overall- nice overall red ale. Lots of hops and great malt body

Batch#42

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 02:25:54 | More by Keyportnick

brentk56

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 22

Appearance: Pours a clear copper color with a three fingered head that leaves quite a few shards behind; terrific retention, too (other reviewers have noted a ruby red color which may have been true in the earlier batch but not in this one)

Smell: Crusty brown bread and caramel, with a very unusual hop profile that includes pine, raspberry and pomegranate (another reviewer noted the pomegranate flavor and that hit the nail on the head)

Taste: Brown bread and caramel, up front, but the hops quickly take over, bringing pine, tart raspberry and pomegranate elements; the flavors balance each other out after the swallow and there is also a distinct earthy character

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: I was fully prepared to rate this beer's taste below a 4.0 until midway through the bottle; while I am still not an enthusiast, it is different enough and, appealing in its own right, to merit a higher score; definitely work a look for those who are intrigued with the flavors a brewer can coax out of the ingredient mix

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:36:15 | More by brentk56

BStalf21

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is Ruby red and pours a thick head that gives some nice lacing. You can smell the hops on this one and you will taste them too. very nice hop flavor that is balanced nicely with malts. It was a pretty full bodied amber with a thicker look and feel then most. Overall my first pipeworks beer but wont be my last props to them on this great beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 03:31:50 | More by BStalf21

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

batch 16 poured into duvel Tulip.

Thanks to kawilliams81 for pickn this beer up for me! Thanks kent!

Appearance: a medium amber almost crimson red bodied beer with easy 2 fingers of head. The head has some great staying power. Leaving some nice curtians behind on the glass.

Smell: This is a big & robust red ale. Malts smell of sweet carmel and are fairly bready. Lots of pine and citrus hops that smell like that balance and might even overpower the malts. Also getting pineapple and hints of other tropical fruits in the nose!

Taste: This beer has a really a dank hoppiness. I would say its on the high end of moderately bitter. The hops taste of mostly of pine and grass with hints of tropical fruits and citrus. Almost on the edge of being too bitter for my liking. The malt profile tastes like it smells a touch of sweet caramel and the breadiness is a bit heavier, but it is overtaken by the hops with its carrying bitterness. The malts seem to resurface in the middle of the beer and adds a touch of malty sweetness that helps balance those big dank hops! The beer finishes with a lingering bitterness that tastes like citrus and grapefruit that has a touch of astrigency to it. The beer also seems to be better balance as it warms to room temperature.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. The beer is well carbonated and I am enjoying the way this drinks. It just a tad heavier than a summer beer that you would slam on a really hot day, but you could still call it pretty drinkable. Just a touch of alcohol is found in the beer.

Overall: Another wonderful offering by pipeworks! I prefer the Ninja vs. Unicorn, but this one is a really solid beer too. After trying my third beer from pipeworks, I am willing to say that this brewery is easily able to hold its own in a crowded chicago craft beer market. Pipeworks is legit! Save a few more bottles for me!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 03:11:08 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

draheim

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz (batch 16) into a tulip. Pours a murky mahogany w/ a monster khaki head, great retention, lots of sticky lacing, moderate carb.

Aroma is really unique & wonderful. Somehow, it smells red. Ruby grapefruit, pomegranate. Has a tart, refreshing quality. As it warms, more floral hop aroma takes over.

Taste is heavily malty with a sharp hoppy bite. Caramel malt, sweet fruit, bitter hops.

Mouthfeel is thick, heavy, luxurious but a little sticky.

Overall a solidly crafted imperial red.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 02:11:18 | More by draheim

cnbrown313

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

To start, Pipeworks has some of my favorite bottle art, and this one was no exception. I wish there was a picture up, but there is a unicorn skull on a black label that looks very dark and ominous.

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a pint glass

A - This was my favorite part of the beer. It pours almost like a blood red, with a straw colored 2 finger head and nice lacing. Looks beautiful in the glass.

S - Smells a little bready and hoppy. Maybe a little pine smell too.

T - This was not my favorite part of the beer. I am all about hoppy beers, but it was too bitter for me without enough sweetness to balance it out. You get that piney hop taste, but it kind of lingers on the palate for a long time, and not in a pleasant way.

M - The mouth feel was nice. As usual with Pipeworks, the carbonation was perfect.

O - Overall, I would definitely give this beer a try. But it wasn't my favorite from Pipeworks.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 13:48:52 | More by cnbrown313

Florida9

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark red-tinted brown in color. Forms a fairly sizable tan head that has some decent sticking power. Leaves some moderate lacing on the way down.

S: The aroma is a strong blend of citrus and pine hops with a good dose of caramel malt.

T: The flavor is really nice. Not nearly as malty as either the color or the style would suggest, but it's certainly plenty hoppy. Starts off with a moderate sweetness with some moderate notes of caramel and some mild brown bread before turning aggressively hoppy with lots of citrus and pine and grapefruit to a lesser extent. Finishes is long and malty.

M: On the heavier side of medium with appropriate carbonation and a moderate-to-strong bitterness.

O: Another successful beer from the Pipeworks gang, though I've got to admit I'm a bit biased as this beer certainly plays to my love of the hops.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 01:15:00 | More by Florida9

Etan

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz (batch 16), shared with my brother.

A: Pours a brownish-red reminiscent of molasses. Small off-white head with ok retention.

S: Giant nose of tropical and citric hops. Big grapefruit, orange, bitterish pith, bready and sweet caramel malts behind.

T: Alcohol-laced bitterness, grass, pine, moderately sweet caramel, citric hop and bitter leaf in the finish.

M: Pretty thick mouthfeel. Lightly carbonated.

O: The aroma is fantastic, better than the taste, which is a little too raw and grassy. A little too much alcohol but still really nice.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 19:08:24 | More by Etan

Treebs

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch #16. 22 oz. bottle served in a Firestone Walker Proprietors Reserve Series tulip.

A: Pours a deep, deep dark cherry red color with some brown hues mixed in. A thick, light khaki head forms on the pour and sticks around for quite sometime. It recedes very slowly to a thick cap and collar that leaves some sticky sheets of lace behind.

S: Big juicy and piney hops are up front on the first whiff. Big dried biscuit malts with a nice sugar sweetness and berry fruitiness is on the end.

T: Nice fruity flesh and citrus grapefruit bursts are up front, but it gets really down and dirty with some earthy grass and subtle pine. The malt bill comes on strong at the finish with some nice caramel notes, dark spiced bread and a slight toasted bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with a slight bit of oily slickness. The finish is sweet and creamy with a nice medium carbonation level.

O: I'm sort of a amber/red ale fan boy and this one really hit it out of the park. Great creamy sweetness from the malts with a nice balance of fruity and piney hops. I hope this isn't a one off and sees some semi regular production like NvU.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 01:16:00 | More by Treebs