Pipeworks Unicorns Aren't Real 4Pk

Pipeworks Unicorns Aren't Real 4Pk is a hop-forward India Pale Ale brewed in Chicago at 8% ABV, sold in a four-pack of cans. Built around a massive charge of Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops — plus their cryo counterparts — this IPA delivers layered tropical and citrus intensity that has earned it a solid 3.9 rating on Untappd across more than 1,100 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: India Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Co. was founded in 2012 and expanded into a dedicated production facility in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood in 2014. The brewery has built a reputation for bold, hop-centric releases, with Ninja vs Unicorn Double IPA standing as its flagship and best-selling beer. Unicorns Aren't Real takes a similarly aggressive hopping approach, employing what the brewery describes as "Big Foot sized additions" of Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops in both standard pellet and cryo forms — the latter a concentrated lupulin product that amplifies hop oil and aromatic intensity while reducing vegetal harshness. The result is billed as a "hyper fresh IPA" designed to showcase maximum hop character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus peel leads the nose, followed by waves of ripe stone fruit and a suggestion of mixed berries. The cryo hop additions push the aromatics toward a juicy, almost candied intensity without heavy grassiness.

Taste: The entry is lush with fresh grapefruit and tangerine, transitioning into sun-ripened peach and apricot at mid-palate. A muddled berry sweetness emerges alongside a firm but balanced bitterness that keeps the 8% ABV in check, with the malt body providing enough structure to support the dense hop load.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering tropical fruit and a dry, resinous bitterness that builds gradually. A subtle warmth from the higher alcohol content rounds out the close without turning hot.

How to Drink Unicorns Aren't Real

This IPA is best enjoyed fresh and cold — pour it into a tulip glass or drink straight from the can to capture the hop aromatics at their peak. Its robust body and citrus-forward profile also make it a surprisingly versatile pairing with food. For a beer cocktail, try a Michelada riff using Unicorns Aren't Real for a tropical-bitter twist on the classic. A beer-based Shandy with fresh grapefruit juice complements the existing citrus notes. It also works in a Beermosa at brunch, where its stone fruit character plays well against fresh orange juice.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a backyard cookout or fishing trip
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to a full-flavored, aromatic IPA
• Building a craft beer tasting flight alongside other Pipeworks releases
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or grilled foods that match its intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Unicorns Aren't Real taste like? It delivers prominent fresh citrus and stone fruit flavors with muddled berry undertones, backed by a firm hop bitterness and moderate malt sweetness that balances its 8% ABV strength.

How does Unicorns Aren't Real compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs Unicorn? Ninja vs Unicorn is a Double IPA and Pipeworks' best-selling beer, typically higher in ABV and more aggressively bitter. Unicorns Aren't Real focuses on aromatic hop intensity through cryo hops while sitting at a slightly more approachable 8% ABV.

Is Unicorns Aren't Real good for IPA beginners? At 8% ABV with a heavy hop charge, it leans toward the bolder end of the IPA spectrum. Drinkers who already enjoy citrus-forward pale ales will appreciate the step up in intensity, but total newcomers to hoppy beer may find it assertive.

Where is Unicorns Aren't Real made? It is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Co. at their production facility in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks has operated from this location since expanding in 2014.

What foods pair well with Unicorns Aren't Real? Spicy tacos or Thai curry work well, as the hop bitterness cuts through heat. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt backbone. Citrus-dressed ceviche echoes the beer's tropical fruit notes. A rich charcuterie board with aged cheeses balances the bitterness, and coconut-based desserts provide a contrasting sweetness.

What sizes does Unicorns Aren't Real come in? It is commonly available in a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Unicorns Aren't Real worth the price? It positions as a mid-to-premium craft IPA, competing in a crowded field of hop-forward four-packs from regional breweries. The use of six hop varieties including three cryo additions represents a meaningful investment in raw materials, and its Untappd rating of 3.9 across over 1,100 reviews suggests consistent drinker satisfaction at its price tier.

Why Unicorns Aren't Real?

The defining feature of this IPA is its six-hop bill that pairs standard Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe pellets with their cryo-processed equivalents — a technique that concentrates lupulin oils for amplified aroma and flavor without the astringency that can accompany massive hop additions. Pipeworks designed it as a hyper-fresh showcase for these hops, and the layered citrus-stone fruit-berry profile reflects that intent. Coming from a Chicago brewery that earned its reputation on hop-driven beers like Ninja vs Unicorn, Unicorns Aren't Real represents a focused, aromatic take on the American IPA style that rewards drinking it as fresh as possible.