Pipeworks Unicorn Park 4Pk

Pipeworks Unicorn Park 4Pk is a hazy Double IPA brewed in collaboration with Old Irving Brewing, packaged as a four-pack at 8.5% ABV. Built on a foundation of Mosaic and Cryo Mosaic hops with additions of blueberry, raspberry, vanilla bean, and lactose, this release pushes the fruited IPA concept into genuinely interesting territory — earning a 4.0 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 640 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Illinois, United States  |  Style: Hazy Double IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company & Old Irving Brewing

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, has built a reputation on boundary-pushing, small-batch releases. Unicorn Park is a collaboration with fellow Chicago brewery Old Irving Brewing and stands apart from most Double IPAs through its unconventional ingredient bill: real blueberries, raspberries, vanilla bean, and lactose join Mosaic and Cryo Mosaic hops in the recipe. The vanilla bean addition — unusual for any IPA — was deliberately chosen to soften and round out the beer, bridging the gap between hop bitterness and fruit sweetness rather than letting either dominate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Prominent blueberry arrives first, followed by layers of raspberry and a grassy, resinous hop character. Subtle vanilla and a yogurt-like creaminess from the lactose round out the nose.

Taste: The palate opens with bold blueberry and raspberry, giving way to Mosaic hop notes — tropical, slightly dank, and citrus-edged — at the mid-palate. Lactose and vanilla provide a moderate sweetness that keeps the fruit additions from veering into juice territory, while white peach and a hint of yogurt-like tanginess add complexity through the finish.

Finish: Medium in length with a gentle sweetness that fades into soft hop resin. The fruit character lingers without cloying, balanced by enough bitterness to remind you this is still very much a Double IPA.

How to Drink Unicorn Park

Pour cold into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to let the aromatics open fully; the completely opaque, reddish-purple color is worth seeing in a glass rather than hidden in the can. At 8.5% ABV with substantial fruit and lactose body, this drinks best on its own rather than in cocktails — though a beer float using vanilla ice cream would lean into the vanilla-lactose profile, and a radler-style blend with fresh lemonade could extend its sessionability on a hot day.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who enjoy fruited or hazy IPAs
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather afternoons when a big, fruit-forward beer fits the mood
• Introducing hop-averse drinkers to Double IPAs through a softer, fruitier gateway
• Chicago beer fans exploring local collaborations between independent breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Unicorn Park taste like? Unicorn Park leads with juicy blueberry and raspberry flavors supported by Mosaic hop character, with vanilla and lactose adding a rounded, moderately sweet body that balances the fruit without becoming cloying.

How does Unicorn Park compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs. Unicorn? Ninja vs. Unicorn is Pipeworks' flagship Double IPA and their number-one selling beer, built as a more traditional hop-centric DIPA. Unicorn Park diverges significantly with its blueberry, raspberry, vanilla, and lactose additions, making it fruitier and creamier by design.

Is Unicorn Park good for sipping on its own? Yes — at 8.5% ABV with a full, creamy mouthfeel and layered fruit-and-hop complexity, it rewards slow sipping from a proper glass rather than rushing through a can.

Where is Unicorn Park made? Unicorn Park is a collaboration between Pipeworks Brewing Company and Old Irving Brewing, both based in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Unicorn Park? Grilled chicken with a berry-based glaze mirrors the fruit profile; sharp blue cheese plays well against the lactose sweetness; fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical Mosaic hop notes; lemon bars echo the citrus undertones; and smoked pulled pork balances the beer's sweetness with savory richness.

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

Is Unicorn Park worth the price? Unicorn Park positions as a premium craft offering within the fruited hazy Double IPA segment, and its collaboration pedigree, dual-hop bill with Cryo Mosaic, and real fruit and vanilla bean additions justify its place at the upper end of four-pack pricing for the style.

Why Unicorn Park?

The decision to add vanilla bean to a Double IPA is the kind of move that either falls flat or redefines expectations — and based on a 4.0 Untappd rating across hundreds of reviews, Unicorn Park lands on the right side. The collaboration between Pipeworks and Old Irving brings together two Chicago breweries with distinct strengths, and the use of Cryo Mosaic alongside standard Mosaic hops concentrates lupulin flavor while reducing vegetal harshness. In a crowded hazy IPA market, Unicorn Park distinguishes itself not through sheer hop tonnage but through thoughtful layering of fruit, vanilla, lactose, and hop character into a cohesive, drinkable 8.5% ABV package.