Pipeworks Unichrome 4Pk

Pipeworks Unichrome 4Pk is a 9.1% ABV Double IPA from Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, brewed with Citra, Sabro, and Azacca hops. This hop-forward expression carries a 3.9 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 1,800 ratings, earning praise for its intensely tropical character and deceptively smooth drinkability at its elevated strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.1%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company launched in Chicago with a philosophy rooted in one-off, limited-run beers aimed at dedicated craft beer enthusiasts. The brewery has maintained a prolific release schedule, frequently debuting a new beer every week. Unichrome draws its tropical intensity from a trio of American hops — Citra, known for grapefruit and passionfruit; Sabro, which contributes distinctive coconut and stone fruit character; and Azacca, prized for its mango and citrus notes. This combination creates a layered hop profile that distinguishes Unichrome from the broader Pipeworks Double IPA lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lush coconut and guava, followed by bright tangerine citrus. A subtle bready malt sweetness sits beneath the tropical hop aromatics, rounding out the bouquet.

Taste: The first sip delivers ripe pineapple and banana, quickly joined by coconut and papaya across the mid-palate. Light tangerine and caramel candy notes emerge as the beer warms, supported by delicately pale malts that keep bitterness restrained. Despite the 9.1% ABV, the body stays soft and approachable, with only a gentle whisper of alcohol warmth.

Finish: The finish is medium-long and smooth, with lingering tropical fruit sweetness and a light caramel malt backbone. Bitterness remains low and balanced, fading cleanly without harsh resinous bite.

How to Drink Unichrome

Serve chilled at around 45–50°F to let the tropical hop aromatics fully express themselves; a tulip glass or IPA glass concentrates the coconut and guava notes. For cocktail-curious drinkers, Unichrome's tropical profile works in a Michelada where its fruit-forward hops complement lime and hot sauce; a Beer-mosa with fresh mango or guava juice that amplifies the existing tropical character; or a Hop Shandy blended with lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink that tames the ABV.

Best For

• Sharing with hop-focused craft beer enthusiasts at a tasting session
• Weekend grilling with bold, smoky foods that stand up to tropical hop intensity
• Gifting to a Double IPA collector who values limited-run Chicago craft releases
• Pairing nights where tropical beer meets adventurous cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Unichrome taste like? Unichrome delivers a wave of tropical fruit — pineapple, coconut, guava, and papaya — balanced by soft caramel malt sweetness and notably low bitterness for a Double IPA. It drinks remarkably smooth despite its 9.1% ABV.

How does Unichrome compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs Unicorn? Both are Double IPAs from Pipeworks, but Ninja vs Unicorn is the brewery's flagship and number-one seller with a more established hop profile. Unichrome leans harder into tropical and coconut notes thanks to its specific use of Sabro hops, giving it a more exotic, fruit-saturated character.

Is Unichrome good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — reviewers consistently note that it drinks extremely easy for its 9.1% ABV, with fresh fruity flavors that are intense but not overwhelming. Pouring into a proper glass and letting it warm slightly reveals the full depth of the hop aromatics.

Where is Unichrome made? Unichrome is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks is known for its prolific limited-release schedule and hop-forward approach to American craft brewing.

What foods pair well with Unichrome? Spicy Thai coconut curries mirror the Sabro hop's coconut notes and match the beer's tropical intensity. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the fruit-forward palate. Jerk chicken pairs well, with the beer's sweetness tempering the heat. Soft, creamy cheeses like brie balance the hop character. Coconut-based desserts like haupia or coconut flan create a complementary finish.

What sizes does Unichrome come in? Unichrome is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Unichrome worth the price? Unichrome positions in the premium craft Double IPA tier, where its 9.1% ABV, three-hop tropical bill, and Pipeworks' reputation for creative limited runs deliver strong value relative to comparable high-ABV IPAs from other respected craft breweries.

Why Unichrome?

What separates Unichrome from the crowded Double IPA field is the deliberate pairing of Sabro hops — still relatively uncommon in mainstream craft — with the proven tropical punch of Citra and Azacca. That Sabro addition delivers a coconut-forward dimension rarely found at this intensity in the style. The beer's ability to mask 9.1% ABV behind soft, fruit-saturated drinkability has earned it consistent praise from reviewers. For drinkers who want a Double IPA that tastes like a tropical vacation rather than a bitter endurance test, Unichrome is a standout from one of Chicago's most inventive breweries.