Pipeworks Mandarin Dragonet 4Pk

Pipeworks Mandarin Dragonet 4Pk is an Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with wildflower honey and mandarin oranges, clocking in at 9.5% ABV. Earning a 92-point score on BeerAdvocate, this release from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Company stands out for its seamless marriage of sticky-sweet honey richness and bright citrus character within a decidedly hop-forward framework.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company was founded in 2012 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis in Chicago, Illinois, quickly building a reputation for bold, inventive beers — many featuring aquatic-themed artwork. Mandarin Dragonet belongs to the brewery's popular "fish series," a rotating lineup of adjunct-heavy IPAs named after colorful marine species. This particular expression is brewed with additions of wildflower honey and juicy mandarin oranges, creating a layered sweetness that tempers the assertive hop bitterness characteristic of the Imperial IPA style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Hoppy bitterness leads, quickly giving way to sweet wildflower honey and a mild citrus backdrop. A distinct mandarin orange tang rises through, accented by tropical fruit — pineapple and mango prominent among them.

Taste: The entry is juicy and sweet, with a wave of tropical and citrus fruit — peach, mango, and ripe orange — landing across the mid-palate. Medium-bodied with medium carbonation, the honey rounds out each sip and prevents the hop load from turning aggressive. A sticky, almost nectar-like sweetness anchors the peak before the bitterness reasserts itself.

Finish: Moderately long and smooth, with lingering orange peel and residual honey sweetness. The hop bitterness dries things out just enough to invite the next sip.

How to Drink Mandarin Dragonet

Pour this into a tulip glass or stemmed IPA glass around 45–50°F to let the aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the honey and citrus complexity. A Beermosa works well here — split the Mandarin Dragonet with fresh orange juice for a brunch-worthy riff that leans into the existing citrus. A Hop Shandy pairing with house-made lemonade and a splash of honey syrup plays off the beer's own adjuncts. For something unconventional, try a Citrus IPA Michelada — the mandarin and honey stand up to lime, hot sauce, and Tajín without getting buried.

Best For

• Sharing at a summer cookout where bold flavors match grilled food
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who collects Pipeworks' fish series
• Pairing with a spicy takeout night — Thai or Mexican cuisine
• Exploring Imperial IPAs beyond conventional dry-hopped versions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mandarin Dragonet taste like? Mandarin Dragonet delivers juicy tropical and citrus fruit — mango, peach, and bright mandarin orange — supported by a smooth wildflower honey sweetness and balanced hop bitterness. The overall impression is sticky, medium-bodied, and refreshingly smooth for a 9.5% ABV beer.

How does Mandarin Dragonet compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs Unicorn? Ninja vs Unicorn is Pipeworks' flagship Double IPA and leans more heavily into hop bitterness and resinous pine character without adjunct additions. Mandarin Dragonet trades some of that raw hop intensity for the juicy sweetness of mandarin oranges and wildflower honey, resulting in a smoother, more fruit-forward drinking experience at a similar ABV.

Is Mandarin Dragonet good for sipping? Yes — the honey and mandarin additions create enough sweetness and body to make this enjoyable as a slow sipper, especially when poured into a proper glass at cellar temperature. Its 9.5% ABV rewards a measured pace.

Where is Mandarin Dragonet made? Mandarin Dragonet is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2012, Pipeworks operates in Chicago's craft beer scene and distributes across multiple states.

What foods pair well with Mandarin Dragonet? Spicy Thai green curry benefits from the honey sweetness cutting through the heat. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical and citrus notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the sweetness with savory depth. Honey-glazed pork ribs mirror the wildflower honey component. Orange-scented dark chocolate creates a rich dessert pairing that highlights the mandarin character.

What sizes does Mandarin Dragonet come in? Mandarin Dragonet is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, the standard format for Pipeworks' rotating releases.

Is Mandarin Dragonet worth the price? Mandarin Dragonet positions as a mid-to-upper-tier craft Imperial IPA, reflecting the adjunct ingredients — wildflower honey and real mandarin oranges — and Pipeworks' reputation for inventive brewing. Its 92-point BeerAdvocate score and strong 4.2 rating on Untappd with nearly 2,800 reviews suggest solid value within the specialty IPA segment.

Why Mandarin Dragonet?

What separates Mandarin Dragonet from the crowded Imperial IPA field is the deliberate use of wildflower honey and whole mandarin oranges — not extract flavoring — to build sweetness and citrus depth without masking the hop backbone. A 92-point BeerAdvocate score places it among the more critically regarded entries in Pipeworks' extensive fish series lineup. At 9.5% ABV, it manages to drink smoother than many beers at that strength, a quality reviewers consistently highlight. For anyone exploring what adjunct-driven Imperial IPAs can achieve beyond simple dry-hopping, this Chicago-brewed release makes a compelling case.