Flight of the Unicorns
Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- From:
- Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- English Barleywine
- ABV:
- 13.1%
- Score:
- +7 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.2 | pDev: 8.33%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 26, 2025
- Added:
- Jul 25, 2024
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
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An inspired collaboration between Pipeworks and The Aviary. Barleywine Ale Aged in Boulevardier Barrels.
Good things take time. Really good things can take even more time. Together with The Aviary, a legendary innovative cocktail bar, we aged a smooth and balanced barleywine in barrels that once aged a batch of boulevardier cocktails. Flight of the Unicorn is an expression of deep vanillin, plum, subtle whiskey and botanicals. It's a barleywine that flies high beyond the boundaries of beer and cocktails, living happily between. It's absolutely delicious and we're so pleased to finally be able to offer this to you.
Good things take time. Really good things can take even more time. Together with The Aviary, a legendary innovative cocktail bar, we aged a smooth and balanced barleywine in barrels that once aged a batch of boulevardier cocktails. Flight of the Unicorn is an expression of deep vanillin, plum, subtle whiskey and botanicals. It's a barleywine that flies high beyond the boundaries of beer and cocktails, living happily between. It's absolutely delicious and we're so pleased to finally be able to offer this to you.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.39/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
16 ounce can into a snifter. A 2024 release, had 11/9/24.
Pours a brownish amber color, semi opaque, with a half inch foamy head and sparse light lacing. Aromas of whiskey, caramel, oak. Smells somewhat botanical and herbal. Flavors of whiskey, malt, some vermouth, some citrus. Tastes botanical and herbal. Smooth, a little dry, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
Different, interesting and really flavorful. The base barleywine is solid and all the components are very expressive. Really enjoyable.
Jun 26, 2025Pours a brownish amber color, semi opaque, with a half inch foamy head and sparse light lacing. Aromas of whiskey, caramel, oak. Smells somewhat botanical and herbal. Flavors of whiskey, malt, some vermouth, some citrus. Tastes botanical and herbal. Smooth, a little dry, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
Different, interesting and really flavorful. The base barleywine is solid and all the components are very expressive. Really enjoyable.
Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
3.71/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
10/27/24 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased a single can for $11.01 with tax on August 23, 2024 at the Pipeworks Dojo, refrigerated at home until this morning. 16 oz can without a date stamped released earlier in the year, likely Winter. 13.1% ABV. Barleywine Ale aged in Boulevardier Barrels. A collaborative effort with The Aviary, Label Art by Beejay Olson. 2024 Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed and Canned in Chicago, Illinois.
Appearance: Poured a bit over half the can into a large snifter. Dark brown to black coloured pour, light carbonation and quickly dissolving tan head leaves a solid white ring around/above the rim, and a small island above a couple percent of the base. 3.5
Aroma: After letting warm for 15 minutes, getting a very sweet base, raisins, plums, brown sugar, and a sweet bourbon aroma. Sweetness and barrel a bit lighter than the Pipeworks BW held in barrels for four years, though the aroma profile is very similar despite the different barrel treatment (Boulevardier vs. Bourbon). 3.5
Taste: Similar to the aroma, though the cocktail profile stronger and sweeter than the bourbon barrel BW tasted yesterday. Plums, raisins, brown sugar. Lighter easier drinking, though more sweet than I prefer. 3.75
Mouthfeel: Consistent gentle carbonation sustained throughout, creamy full body. Slightly lighter than the listed ABV, though could be the sweet flavor mix making this more palatable. Taste consistent nearing and warming beyond room temperature. Sweetness throughout, raisin, toffee, plum sweet finish. 3.5
Overall: This beer is as advertised. I tried to be as neutral as possible as this is a cocktail inspired beer, just too sweet for my flavor preferences. Easier drinking than the 4 year bourbon barrels, but I enjoyed the taste profile more with my Saturday selection. OK to have tried, glad I learned about Boulevardier cocktails, know to stick with bourbon only barrels in the future. Still enjoying the experience, and glad I explored this morning. 3.75
Oct 27, 2024Appearance: Poured a bit over half the can into a large snifter. Dark brown to black coloured pour, light carbonation and quickly dissolving tan head leaves a solid white ring around/above the rim, and a small island above a couple percent of the base. 3.5
Aroma: After letting warm for 15 minutes, getting a very sweet base, raisins, plums, brown sugar, and a sweet bourbon aroma. Sweetness and barrel a bit lighter than the Pipeworks BW held in barrels for four years, though the aroma profile is very similar despite the different barrel treatment (Boulevardier vs. Bourbon). 3.5
Taste: Similar to the aroma, though the cocktail profile stronger and sweeter than the bourbon barrel BW tasted yesterday. Plums, raisins, brown sugar. Lighter easier drinking, though more sweet than I prefer. 3.75
Mouthfeel: Consistent gentle carbonation sustained throughout, creamy full body. Slightly lighter than the listed ABV, though could be the sweet flavor mix making this more palatable. Taste consistent nearing and warming beyond room temperature. Sweetness throughout, raisin, toffee, plum sweet finish. 3.5
Overall: This beer is as advertised. I tried to be as neutral as possible as this is a cocktail inspired beer, just too sweet for my flavor preferences. Easier drinking than the 4 year bourbon barrels, but I enjoyed the taste profile more with my Saturday selection. OK to have tried, glad I learned about Boulevardier cocktails, know to stick with bourbon only barrels in the future. Still enjoying the experience, and glad I explored this morning. 3.75
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