Pipeworks Ninja vs. Unicorn 4Pk is an unfiltered double IPA from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Company, clocking in at 8.0% ABV. Scoring a 95 on BeerAdvocate across thousands of ratings, this hop-forward beer has earned its reputation through sheer intensity — brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, a loading rate that far exceeds standard double IPA practice. Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: Unfiltered Double IPA | Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company Production & Heritage Pipeworks Brewing Company was founded in 2012 in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago and quickly became known for creative, hop-driven beers with eye-catching label art. Ninja vs. Unicorn is one of the brewery's flagship releases, built on a massive charge of Citra and Simcoe hops — over five pounds per barrel — that pushes tropical and resinous character to the forefront. The beer is left unfiltered, preserving the full body and haze that allow those hop oils to deliver maximum aroma and flavor impact. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with intense pineapple and mango, layered over ripe peach and orange peel. A supporting wave of pine resin and light biscuity malt rounds out the bouquet without dulling the tropical punch. Taste: Pineapple and grapefruit arrive immediately, followed by a surge of mango and juicy orange at mid-palate. A pronounced but balanced sweetness gives way to piney, resinous bitterness that builds steadily. The malt backbone stays restrained, keeping the hops in the spotlight throughout. Finish: Medium-long with a dry, resinous bitterness that lingers alongside fading grapefruit rind. The pine character persists, leaving a clean, slightly sticky impression that invites another sip. How to Drink Ninja vs. Unicorn Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at 45–50°F to let the aromatic complexity fully open up; drinking straight from the can mutes the nose significantly. This double IPA also stands up well in hop-forward beer cocktails: a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade tames the bitterness for warm-weather drinking; a Michelada riff using lime, hot sauce, and Ninja vs. Unicorn delivers a tropical-spicy kick; and a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice amplifies the citrus notes already present in the beer. Best For Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward hop-heavy styles Anchoring a double IPA tasting flight alongside other top-rated DIPAs Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring bold, spicy, or grilled foods Sharing among friends during a game day or casual gathering where big flavor matters Frequently Asked Questions What does Ninja vs. Unicorn taste like? Ninja vs. Unicorn delivers bold tropical fruit — pineapple, mango, and grapefruit — backed by piney resin and a firm, dry bitterness. It is intensely hop-forward with a restrained malt sweetness that keeps the focus squarely on the hops. How does Ninja vs. Unicorn compare to Bell's Two Hearted? Bell's Two Hearted is a standard-strength IPA (7% ABV) built entirely on Centennial hops, resulting in a more balanced, floral-citrus character. Ninja vs. Unicorn runs hotter at 8% ABV with a Citra-Simcoe hop bill and over five pounds of hops per barrel, making it noticeably more tropical, resinous, and bitter. Is Ninja vs. Unicorn good for sipping neat? Absolutely — poured into a proper glass at cellar temperature, this double IPA rewards slow drinking with complex, evolving aromatics and a layered palate that reveals new details with each sip. Where is Ninja vs. Unicorn made? Ninja vs. Unicorn is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in the Hermosa neighborhood on Chicago's northwest side. The brewery has been operating in this location since its founding in 2012. What foods pair well with Ninja vs. Unicorn? Spicy Thai curry matches the tropical hop character and contrasts the bitterness; sharp cheddar cheese echoes the beer's intensity; grilled chorizo plays off the resinous pine notes; fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the fruit-forward profile; and a rich burger with pepper jack cheese stands up to the beer's weight and ABV. What sizes does Ninja vs. Unicorn come in? Ninja vs. Unicorn is commonly available in a 4-pack can format, which is the standard retail configuration for this release. Is Ninja vs. Unicorn worth the price? With a 95 score on BeerAdvocate and a hop loading rate that dwarfs most competitors, Ninja vs. Unicorn positions as a premium double IPA that delivers exceptional intensity and complexity for its price tier. Why Ninja vs. Unicorn? The five-plus pounds of hops per barrel is not a marketing gimmick — it directly translates into one of the most aromatically intense double IPAs available from a Midwestern brewery. The 95-point BeerAdvocate score and over 144,000 ratings on Untappd (averaging 4.1 out of 5) confirm broad critical and consumer approval. Pipeworks' decision to leave the beer unfiltered preserves hop oils that would otherwise be stripped away, giving Ninja vs. Unicorn a textural richness and aromatic depth that filtered competitors simply cannot match. For drinkers who want their double IPA loud, tropical, and unapologetically bitter, this is one of the benchmarks.
