Ninja Vs. Unicorn
Pipeworks Brewing Company

Ninja Vs. UnicornNinja Vs. Unicorn
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From:
Pipeworks Brewing Company
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #251
ABV:
8%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,644
Avg:
4.27 | pDev: 7.73%
Reviews:
502
Ratings:
2,843
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 08, 2024
Added:
Jan 23, 2012
Wants:
  373
Gots:
  649
Ninja vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle between two of the biggest hop-heads of lore. Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover. Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja vs. Unicorn.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by woodychandler:
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
We have recently been discussing the merits of CANned beers in a thread that I began in the Beer Talk forum and one of the upsides to CANs is the beauty of the graphics as they appear directly on a 360-degree aluminum cylinder vice a paper label. I would definitely hold this up as an example! The separation begins with the ninja striking one of his swords vertically against the unicorn's horn while the unicorn holds the ninja's second sword horizontally in its mouth. The colors are striking & the whole thing just stands out beautifully!

From the CAN: "Brewed in Chicago, IL"; "CAN Art by Jason Burke at Ink & Lead Designs".

I used the Unicorn's horn to help me to Crack! the CAN open, declining the Ninja's swords which would have irreparably damaged the CAN. Once acCANplished, the Ninja made me CANduct an inverted Glug which raised two fingers of dense, rocky, French Vanilla-colored head with decent retention. Color was an oh-so-slightly hazy Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7) & as such, the Gelt Gang declined even so much as a taste. They really prefer purity in their gold, apparently. Nose was magical, as though derived from a ChANce enCANter between a ninja & a unicorn! Actually, it was more like a hybridization of a pine tree & a grapefruit tree. Mmmm. Mouthfeel was all ninja/unicorn with the former slashing and thrusting and the latter just trampling my poor tongue into submission. The taste was likewise magical, evincing a very cool, minty flavor initially before the crazy citrus flavors began to take 'hold. Finish was cool, dry & slightly citrusy, almost like a pop. I CAN drink this all day, or perhaps not, at 8% ABV. CAN you imagine this in the cooler at the beach? It would be CANtastic with everyone wanting to see what you are drinking.
Dec 30, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.58 by Qbert from Illinois

Mar 08, 2024
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4.41/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The label will attract your eyes, the taste will bring you back to buy more. Out of a 16 ounce can, on to the beer:

The head brings a creamy texture and froths of lace to crown the body, which is yellow-orange amber and not much clarity in the body. That aroma brings back my memories of growing up in the California beer scene; plenty hoppy yet dry with lupulins. I can't quite put my finger on any specifics, but it's intoxicating.

Pipeworks got the taste right. Hoppy and not bitter. A juicier Double IPA with West Coast dryness and tropical fruit flavor, bringing to mind pineapple, grapefruit, mango. With a full, smooth body which hides the 8% ABV, Ninja vs. Unicorn drinks dangerously easy for its size. In my mind, both the Ninja and the Unicorn come out as winners.
Mar 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.19 by Thanatosbat777 from Georgia

Feb 28, 2024
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Reviewed by LarryV from Massachusetts

4.12/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a translucent amber yellow with a modest head that fades quickly. I don't get a lot of aroma from it but that's likely just me. Taste is big, bold hops - a lot of grapefruit like bitterness. This beer is all about the hops, the malt really plays a very minor supporting role here. I consider it a classic west coast IPA. Nothing hazy or juicy going on here. This is a good one if you like bitter, hop laden brews that get straight to the point. I'm digging it.
Feb 15, 2024
Photo of BigGold
Reviewed by BigGold from Mississippi

4.21/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had Ninja vs Unicorn poured from pint can, bottom stamped (apparently) canned on "11/28/2023," into nonic pint.

Pours gold with clarity and 2-finger, stiff, very light-tan head, with excellent retention, leaving chunky rings of lace down the glass. Aromas of mild malt, funk and melon off pour, then mild orchard fruit, but not much else. On tasting, begins sweet orchard fruit, including some citrus, with an immediate and huge hop bite, which carries over a (barely perceived) silky body, into a big, bitter, somewhat resinous, dry but still fruity West Coast finish.

Classic West Coast IPA, with big fruit and huge bitterness, and ne'er any malt to be found.
Jan 25, 2024
 
Rated: 4.56 by Beecham from California

Jan 23, 2024
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Rated by donspublic from Texas

4.46/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Just found tasting sheet for this beer I had on my 60th, no notes, just numbers
Jan 06, 2024
Photo of Hobbs87
Reviewed by Hobbs87 from New York

3.52/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Not much of an aroma or flavor. A nutty taste but it’s more of an ale than an IPA. Hard to believe this is a DIPA. I would not seek out to have again.
Dec 13, 2023
Photo of RyanK252
Reviewed by RyanK252 from California

4.27/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Can poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewery pint glass

A: Pours golden amber with a frothy pale khaki head that settles to a light layer and laces rather nicely.

S: Spicy herbal notes, resinous pine, citrus, a little tropical and stone fruit, floral notes, a bit earthy, lightly toasted bready malt, and caramel honey sweetness.

T: Peppery spicy resinous pine, floral notes, citrus, grapefruit lemon, and orange, tropical and stone fruit, pineapple, apricot, peach, mango, and a hint of papaya, earthy herbal undertones, lightly toasted bready malt, and a little caramel honey sweetness.

M: A bit in the fuller side of medium body, moderate carbonation, pretty easy drinking for 8%.

O: Stumbled into this one at a Total Wine while out of town for the weekend. No date code to be found on the can, but according to the shelf tag it arrived fairly recently so I snagged it. Really glad I did. Pretty much exactly what you want from an old school DIPA. Plenty of aggressive hops, yet still balanced and flavorful, not just an attack on your tongue. I wish I grabbed more.
Dec 04, 2023
Photo of NorsemanOne
Reviewed by NorsemanOne from Utah

4.17/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned 9.5.23
Purchased from the dabc for about $3.50
Poured at fridge temp into a fake Pretentious glass

Pours an unfiltered orange-y golden with a bright white head. Tons of visible rising carbo, and near full sheet-like lacing. 4.5

Off the can the aroma is dominantly dank with a touch of spicy floral and earthy hops. Off the glass is a different story. Largely peach, apricot, both soft and sweet. 4.25

Spicy hops, a tiny hint of the 8% abv, some mixed fruit and dank hops again. 4

Mild carbo despite seeing all those rising bubbles. Lightly coating oil/resin. Definitely soft and an easy quaffer. 4.25

Overall I think the only thing I'm missing on is taste and I don't blame the beer or canning date, but those damn room temp shelves at the dabc. Nonetheless I agree with the bulk of BA-dom, this is a world class IPA. 4.25
Nov 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.17 by jak from North Carolina

Nov 07, 2023
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Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

4.27/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz can stamped PKG 08/14/2023 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 8% ABV. The beer pours mostly bright medium amber with light khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin cap and leaves rings of lacing. The aroma is mild with candied citrus, resinous tropical fruit and caramel. The taste is bittersweet tropical fruit, light caramel malt, and strong, resinous bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, excellent IIPA.
Oct 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.8 by jonfed from New York

Oct 22, 2023
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Reviewed by NeutroMan from Illinois

4.17/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16 oz can into a pint glass. Mostly clear golden color with a pillowy white head that laid down thick rings of lace. Mango and pineapple sweetness with a hint of vanilla, along with some piney hops. Taste has much of the same, some toasty malt adds some pleasant depth. Medium body; well carbonated.
Oct 15, 2023
Photo of hmf05
Reviewed by hmf05 from Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
With pretty much everyone brewing hazy IPAs, it's more than refreshing to see a West Coast IPA get so much love. In the glass you get a beautiful clear, golden color. Aroma is a balanced mix of tropical and pine notes, with a little bit of a toasty malt profile. Smells amazing. Taste mirrors the aroma, with a long pine-filled finish. The 8% is extremely well hidden. I'd take this over Pliny any day.
Sep 20, 2023
 
Photo of patre_tim
Reviewed by patre_tim from Thailand

4.34/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Yellow with a slight haze, topped with four fingers of white rocky head. The smell is of pineapple, real fresh, tropical fruits, and cantaloupe. The taste is a Pine and pineapple with dank notes, medium smooth body with little carbonation. Drinking this in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, August 10, 2023.
Aug 11, 2023
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

4.17/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16oz can. Bottom lip of can has the date stamp of 'PKG 04/03/23' (stamped off center).
Clear, pale gold colored body. One thick finger of white head, which evolves into a fluffy cap, leaving a high ring of lacing. Leaves behind irregular rings of lacing.
Aroma is a muddy mix of toasted malts and floral hops.
Taste is marmalade hops, with a toasted malt base. Citrus is the dominant flavor, with some pine resin. Definite sweetness with underlying bitterness. All flavors linger in the aftertaste.
Medium mouth feel, with a slight nectar texture. Dry finish. Major tongue numbness. Very good carbonation.
Showing a little age but still presenting well as a higher ABV% IPA.
Jul 28, 2023
Photo of whynot44
Reviewed by whynot44 from Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bright clear golden color with a moderate but lasting foamy white head and plenty of excellent lacing.
The aroma is light caramel malt, citrus, tropical fruit and pine.
The taste is grapefruit, tangerine, passion fruit, and mango with a dry finish with lingering grapefruit zest and pine resin. There is a combination of subtle sweetness and significant bitterness, enough for any hop lover.
The body is medium, plenty of good carbonation, Decently smooth and very drinkable, but best enjoyed as a sipper.
Altogether, this is an outstanding example of the American IPA style, some nice juicy New England notes, some malty sweetness, and plenty of west coast bitterness, what more could you want? Yes, it also has a very respectable 8% ABV. Very enjoyable for the hop lover.
Jul 15, 2023
Ninja Vs. Unicorn from Pipeworks Brewing Company
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 2843 ratings