Pipeworks Cherry Murderous "The Lookout" English Barleywine Style Ale brewed with Cherries

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #755) bought at Bottles & Cans in Chicago, IL; 2015 (bottled 07.02.2015)

Style/ABV: English-Style Barleywine/Fruit Beer, 9.5%
Reported IBUs: ?

Pipeworks has arrived...and it's been a while since I have reviewed anything from them. So here we go. I've previously reviewed the regular Murderous, as well as the barrel-aged Murderous. I think this is a pretty average beer, so I'm curious to see how the cherries work out. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Cherry Murderous "The Lookout" bottle reads: 

"Rejoice in the return of your best friend! Your trusty lookout had not been completely lost, although different now from time spent apart, he still sees all through midworld. Albeit with a tinge of red washing over his view. Rest him on pommel or table, and let The Lookout guide you on your journey. "

Pipeworks Cherry Murderous

This is a thick, slow-pouring, hazy beer. It's unfiltered and riding some line between brown/orange/red, with a thick orange head that doesn't last for very long. Overall though, it looks good, and it looks the part for the style. 

Oh man, that aroma. This doesn't really smell the part of an English-style Barleywine. It smells like a malty bock mixed with Sam Adams' Cherry Wheat. I'm actually a fan of the Cherry Wheat, but that comment is going to read like a slap in the face for many. The cherry aroma does leave you with the impression of cherry skins, some cherry fruits, and some cherry pits. It drifts into medicinal territory at some point, and there's a lot of toasty and caramelized Bock-esque malt notes. If you handed this to me in a blind tasting, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with Barleywine.

This is a mess, but it is less of a mess than I expected. The cherries actually add a nice layer of complexity to the otherwise lackluster base beer. This is sweet and heavy, and you feel like it needs a few years to thin out. But the good news is the cherries add some nice, deep fruity notes. I'm getting cherries, cherry pits, cherry skins, cherry pastries, cherry candies, and some nice Quad-like stone fruits. This almost veers into the land of Belgium, but is grounded with a malt base that is toast, toffee, toasted nuts, and caramelized sugars. The cherries stand out as a counterpoint to the otherwise sweet and one-dimensional base. I think this is the best take on The Murderous I have had.

At 9.5%, I'm not getting much in the way of alcohol. This is full-bodied, and fairly thick stuff. This isn't overly complex, and the sweetness is only barely offset by the cherries. Still, this has great depth, with each sip lasting for quite some time. You get a nice two-dimensional blast of cherry flavors, followed by that malty base. It dabbles in Quad land but is strictly pseudo-English. It feels kind of Bock-like to me, actually. So I guess we can go to Germany on this wild ride.  

Rating: Average (3.25/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Light Average on this. This is by far the best take on The Murderous, and I really have no reason to pick up the base beer after drinking this. I'd love to grab another bottle of this Cherry Murderous to age, but the demand is still too high. I'd like to see Pipeworks brew this again. I think they can clean up the base a bit, attenuate the beer a little more (get this up to 11%+), and maybe throw in some hops or something. I don't know. 

Random Thought: I'm really happy to see Pipeworks doing as well as they are. I know I am slacking in my reviews, but focusing on graduate school for the betterment of myself takes precedence over beer reviews. Having said that, I cracked into the most recent batch of Pipeworks' Blue Lady and it was fan-freaking-tastic. This brewery is going places, and I am happy to have had a chance to watch them grow up over the past couple of years. 

Pipeworks The Money (CA$H 4 Golden Ale aged in Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon Barrels)

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #473/474) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2015 (bottled 08.??.2014)

Style/ABV: Belgian Golden Strong Ale, 13.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

It's not Pipeworks Thursday™ but who gives a shit. Way back when I reviewed that CA$H Money, and the Elijah Craig 12 Year is delicious. So how about "Our "Ca$h 4 Golden Ale" aged in Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon Barrels." Oh yes please. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

Pipeworks The Money

This pours into a golden/honey-colored body, kicking up a finger of restrained, white head. This looks like a Belgian Ale that has been through the bourbon ringer. It is slightly hazy but still really well-carbed. Even Snoop was like dayummm. BJCP - bongs, jello, cash, paninis. 

Let's not pretend Allagash and the Bruery haven't done this already, but this mashes pineapples and white saffron and wheat-apples and grapes (you know, that Strong Ale base) with oak, vanilla, a pound of white sugar, bourbon spice, cinnamon, and some light barrel. It has that Belgian nose, and smells like any Tripel or what-have-you crammed into a barrel. 

Oh dayum, son. This is straight up fantastic, bringing tons of bourbon flavor to the fold with big vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon/brown sugar, and then tons of apples, saffron, grapes, tannic and grainy gooseberries, overripe bananas, juicy stone fruits, and appreciable pineapple. This lays on some nice bitterness, and while this is super sweet it feels mature. This is going to be an inherently sweet beer, as are White Oak and any other similar offering. 

This is sneaky like a Golden Strong/Tripel, and you don't taste any of the 13%. The only suggestion of alcohol comes from the saccharine assault and bourbon character. This is full-bodied, big, boozy, and has good duration for the style. Palate depth is good, complexity is middle-of-the-road (but pretty good for this style). This beer is my jam. This style is my jam. You get an explosion of tropical fruits, saffron, apples, and grapes up front; that rolls into more pineapple, apple, saffron, bourbon, some spice; the back end drops a little alcohol, oak, barrel, and finishes nicely for something as big and sweet as this. I like this a lot. 

Rating: Above-Average (4.5/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average on this beer. I'm so proud of Pipeworks, growing up to be on the same level as breweries like Allagash or The Bruery. Okay, I'm not not 100% serious. That would be the overstatement of the year if I was. Shoving any beer into an Elijah Craig 12 Year barrel is like using Citra hops or a drone strike. It's cheating. Anyway, this is good stuff and my only regret is it doesn't have the production of something like a White Oak. I wouldn't go food crazy with this beer...sip on it, enjoy.

Random Thought: I really wish I knew anything about bourbon and/or whiskey but I don't. I also don't have the money or cache to hunt down elusive bourbon whales. Thus, my thoughts on bourbon are shit just like this blog. If you are reading this, have all my apologies. 

Pipeworks Passion Abduction

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #477/478) bought at Binny's in IL; 2014 (bottled 08.10.2014)

Style/ABV: American Imperial Stout/Fruit Beer, 10.5%
Reported IBUs: ?

I've been holding onto this one for almost a month, so it's high time we crack into the Passion Fruit Abduction for Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Passion Fruit Abduction is an Imperial Stout brewed with cacao, vanilla, and passion fruit. In one of the longer winded descriptions, the bottle reads:

""Now, listen alien braj, I haven't done a fracking thing in my fracking life, but you aliens are privileged and I hate you. Seriously though, alien invaders, you're seriously invading my privacy. I'm just trying to wash the stinks off. Braj, if you want to play games, try flying your spaceship with your tentacle. Ha! I just left a #voicemail with my friends Zahm, Nagel, and Meheen. They're coming over here and they'll mess you UP, aliens. Seriously though, hang onto your d!ck$. #cats #passionfruit #abduction" -Dylan, abductee"

Pipeworks Passion Abduction

This pours like every other Abduction: into a black, opaque body, kicking up a finger or two of tan colored head. I can see nice streams of carbonation in the glass suggesting that this is properly carbed, and there is good head retention, glossy alcohol legs, and some lacing to boot.

On the aroma: holy crap. This smells like fruit! Wow, you get a ton of passion fruit on the aroma. Some people have suggested that this smells like weed or bong water...I would say it smells very similar to chocolate-dipped cherries or strawberries, or a chocolate cake with a fruit topping. This has cakey chocolate notes, cakey roast, cocoa, some vanilla, some coffee, and big chocolate-strawberry, chocolate-cherry, and passion fruit. The fruit on the aroma rides the line between real fruits and candy fruits....I'm curious how this is going to taste.

This might be the most simple and straightforward Abduction beer yet. This is pretty much a mirror of the nose, with intense roast, cacao, and coffee up front, that gives way to huge fruity notes that coat your mouth, lips, and tongue. You get cherry-chocolate, strawberry-chocolate, cherry and strawberry jelly candies, passion fruit, some vanilla and coffee, creamer, and a nice finish that has a hint of alcohol. [EDIT: I figured it out! The fruity notes in this beer really remind me of the fruit notes you get in store bought ice cream, or even in something like a Dairy Queen banana split. It has that same cherry/strawberry note straight from the ice cream. Werd].

This is full-bodied and very nice. Palate duration is fantastic, with each sip lingering for 30-60 seconds. This isn't overly complex, but it unravels with a layer of the Stout base and then a passion fruit injection. This is really throwing me for a loop because I'm enjoying this a lot, despite the lack of integration between the Stout base and the fruit notes. Up front: roast, cacao, coffee, vanilla, passion fruit, cherry-chocolate, strawberry-chocolate; that rolls into cherry and strawberry gummy candies, passion fruit, more roast/vanilla/coffee; the back end drops lingering fruit and chocolate, with some booze that wraps things up nicely. 

Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd) 

I'm feeling a Light Above-Average here. This is up there with the Raspberry Truffle Abduction...it might even be better. The passion fruit injection in this beer isn't subtle and borders on being candy sweet and artificial...but I think it really works well with the Abduction base. Having said that...I think you need to pair this beer with some vanilla ice cream, or strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Random Thought: As this beer sits in my glass, I'm getting waves of dank as weed from the aroma. Complete: whatttt. I guess this really does smell like weed.  

Pipeworks Unicorn Hits Rock Bottom

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #495/496) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled 08.??.2014)

Style/ABV: Imperial IPA, 9.5%
Reported IBUs: ?

It looks like the Unicorn has finally hit Rock Bottom...pun intended. I guess it is only up from here with this "Imperial IPA brewed with honey and citra hops." About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The bottle of Unicorn Hits Rock Bottom reads: 

"(Read to the tune of the 'Cheers theme song)
Makin' this beer in the world today takes all the
Citra you've got.
Graining out with some buddies sure would help a 
lot.
Wouldn't we like to collaborate.
Sometimes the brewers at Rock Bottom want to go
Where everybody knows their name
And Pdubz is glad they came
You wanna brew where you can see
our troubles are all the same."

The bottle art here was done by Peter Wano. This pours into a deep orange body, kicking up two fingers of caramel/orange-tinted head. The body is hazy and appropriately carbonated, and the head is sticky, leaving lacing and retaining like the hop-fueled monster that it is. This is a nice looking beer, and a true testament to Pipeworks' IPA program. 

Pipeworks Unicorn Hits Rock Bottom

Let me just start off by saying that I have heard really good things about this beer. That is unusual because (1) this beer just came out a few days ago, and (2) this has really limited distribution. Anyway...I believe the hype every now and then, and this one smells like miracles. The aroma is an EXPLOSION of honey, white pepper, citrus zest, citrus spice, and huge grapefruit, tangerine, orange, mango, and tropical fruit. This is bursting at the seam with sweet citrus, resinous and zesty spice, and honey sweetness that backs this up with authority. It's like the child of Hopslam and Zombie Dust.

Like this needs a debriefing of the taste...this is a fantastic explosion of fresh Citra hops, mounted on this candy-sweet honey backbone that contrasts the juicy hops and resinous hop oils. I'm getting honey here that would make Hopslam blush, with giant waves of citrus, orange, zesty hop spice, resinous orange and grapefruit rind, and big tropical fruits and orange sweetness. This has that Lagunitas level of sticky-sweet-dank, while juicing the Citra hops like Zombie Dust. 

Never before has a 9.5% beer been so drinkable. But drink this fresh...this one is only going to drop off with time, although I doubt it will stick around on shelves for very long. I'm happy I opened this now, and not even two days later. Again, the juicy hops and honey sweetness make this incredibly crushable, even though it's sticky-sweet and slightly boozy. This is also one of the best attempts at carbonation from Pipeworks...I've had their under-carbed Citra Ninja and it really did suffer from lack of carbonation. This beer has divine palate depth, with a medium-bodied mouthfeel that is juicy and dank. This isn't exactly complex...it's basically a Citra and Honey hammer. Sometimes you just want to hit nails, though. Up front: dank and juicy Citra hops, resinous spice, tropical fruits, resinous pineapple/peach, grapefruit rind; the mids roll into more citrus, Citra bursting, honey sweetness; the back end trails with dank and resinous hops, white pepper, citrus zest, spice, and nice dryness. Wow...

Rating: Divine Brew (5.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Divine Brew on this...yup. This is the new ceiling for Pipeworks' Imperial IPAs. This is up there with Zombie Dust, is better than Hopslam, and pretty much rocks everything that Pipeworks has done in the Ninja vs. Unicorn series. I know those are fighting words, but seriously....you cannot top fresh Citra. I know it's like using cheat codes in SNES games, but still. This beer is bursting with ridiculous Citra and Honey notes, and begs to be paired with some deep dish pizza (dae Chicago?), or with some spicy boneless wings. If I see another bottle of this, I will not hesitate to pick it up, and you should do the same. But for real, drink this fresh....it's only going to drop off.

Random Thought: As a glassware whore...Pipeworks needs to replenish their online glassware shop.

Pipeworks Citra Saison

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #463/464) bought at Binny's in IL; 2014 (bottled 07.26.2014)

Style/ABV: American Saison, 9.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

Tonight's Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™ is all about dat Citra. In a Saison? Hmm, I'm intrigued. Seriously though, this beer better be banging. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Citra Saison is self-explanatory. The bottle reads:

"When you need a break from fighting life's epic battles, unwind your nunchuckus, high kick off the ol' work booties, and get a good death grip on life's simple pleasures like a saison hopped generously with Citra hops. Move swift! Move stealthily! Pour this Citra Saison into your glass, and enjoy when the summer sun is HIYA! in the sky, or during a warm, shuriken filled night. Shiken Haramitsu Daikoumyo."

Pipeworks Citra Saison

The appearance is an absolutely hazy, dark-yellow body, that almost borders a turbid brown/straw color. This one kicks up two fingers of substantial, egg-whites thick, white head. Head retention is great with a pinky lingering, and there's massive lacing on the glass. The body retains its juicy appeal in bright light, and peppery carbonation can be spotted with ease.

Oh man, if you love Citra...and let's be real, who doesn't love Citra...you are gonna like this beer's aroma. The aroma here features a HUGE blast of Citra hops right off the nose, with juicy citrus, tropical fruits, and funky apricot/mango. I'm getting orange, pineapple, and some big white pepper and zesty citrus. Beneath the Citra assault is a ton of Belgian funk, with barnyard, dry biscuit and bread notes, black pepper, clove, and a deep and dry Citra-band-aid funk that I can't really describe. This is legit, though. This is the most authentic smelling Saison Pipeworks has released to date. But will it taste the part? 

Wow, this is a pretty big departure for Pipeworks. This is knocking on the door of Allagash or any other Belgian-inspired brewery that knows how to turn out a good Saison. This is creamy, but peppery and hoppy, full of Citra notes, and has tons of backdoor funk. I'm getting big splashes of citrus: namely orange, pineapple, some grapefruit. Then the beer dials up the black and white pepper, clove, and biscuity dryness. The back end shifts into deeply funky fun, with lingering black pepper and citrus. There are shades of mango in here, and the Belgian funk veers into a weird bubble-gum/barnyard/band-aid territory. It's really good.

This is refreshing and clean, and amazingly drinkable. The dry finish cuts through all the bloat, and this is supported by nice carbonation and a creamy-smooth mouthfeel. Pipeworks has a habit of cranking up the ABV when it isn't needed, but the 9.0% is welcomed here and goes unnoticed. This has fantastic palate depth, and is very complex. I'm calling this medium-bodied, but I'm finding it to be very easy-going. Up front: sweet Citra splashes with orange, grapefruit, and pineapple against some nice cracker/biscuit malts; the mids roll into biscuit, black and white pepper, clove, barnyard, Belgian funk, bubblegum; the back end continues with the bubblegum and funk, with lingering hop notes and biscuit...it finishes dry and yeah. This is nice.

Rating: Divine Brew (4.5/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Light Divine Brew on this. This is probably the best non-Stout/non-IPA that Pipeworks has made. This is also the best Belgian-style Ale that Pipeworks has brewed. Far and away. This rings with some authenticity, and again, I'm reminded of bruisers like Allagash's Saison. Only with dat Citra twist and funk for days. Not only would I buy this again, but I would recommend you buy it (fresh). Pair it with a nice burger, gourmet salad, strong cheese, or a chicken dish. Good shit....yum.

Random Thought: Using Citra is like playing with wall hacks though. 

Pipeworks Brief Relief Blood Orange Red Ale

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #426/427) bought at Binny's in IL; 2014 (bottled 06.12.2014)

Style/ABV: American Amber / Red Ale, 9.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

Tonight's Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™ requires a little more explaining than usual, I think. Pipeworks has quite the lineup of weirdly named beers, but nothing tops tonight's beer and its bottle art. This "collaboration" with Harebrained Design was brewed for the Period Panties Launch Party. What are Period Panties? "Fun underwear that high-fives you for having ovaries and serves as a friendly reminder to others!" You can read more about the launch on Reddit's ChicagoBeer thread regarding the subject. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The back of the bottle of Brief Relief reads:

"What's better than not wearing pants? Not wearing pants while enjoying a beer! So as a nod to drinking pants-less and to celebrate the insane success of period Panties by Chicago's Harebrained Design, we present to you BRIEF RELIEF.

Brief Relief is a Blood Orange Red Ale, filled with citrusy hops, designed to give some much-needed brief relief from whatever is currently cramping your style. Much like Period Panties, this beer gives ovary owners a well-deserved high five!

Check out Period Panties: www.harebraineddesign.com"

Pipeworks Brief Relief 

I had something for this...I'm drawing a blank. Anyway, this beer pours into a dark, blood-orange caramel color, kicking up two to three fingers of caramel-tinted head. This looks like an Imperial Red or an Imperial IPA, with sheets of lacing coating the glass and sticky head retention. When held to a bright light, this beer takes on a murky blood-orange color, with tiny dots of carbonation working their way up the glass. It doesn't remind me of periods or liberating underwear, but beer is the solution to all problems.

The aroma here is moderately assertive. Right up front I'm getting big hop notes, maybe Citra or Simcoe? I dunno, it's hard to say. There's big citrus on the nose, grapefruit, and dank tobacco/hemp that veers into dank citrus notes. Along with the hops is assertive citrus sweetness, including orange and grapefruit. There is also some bready and rye spice on the aroma, with big suggestive malts lurking in the back.

Aye, this is another banger from Pipeworks, and one of their better Imperial Red Ale-style brews. This is just a fun beer...and I say that in a nice way. I'm getting a lot of citrus sweetness in here, with splashes of citrus juice, sweet blood orange, sweet grapefruit juice, mimosas, grapefruit soda, and big citrus hops underpinning the whole thing. The hops are slightly dank, with big orange and grapefruit. There's some piney bitterness to play contrast to the sweeter citrus juice. Behind it all are some bready malts, with some rye spice and bread providing a nice backbone. This finishes with bread and caramel. Nice.

This is medium-bodied, well-carbonated, and juicy. I'm not getting any of the 9.0% ABV, and this is very drinkable. This reminds me a bit of something from the Lagunitas wheelhouse, only with that blood orange Pipeworks' twist. I really like this...and while it isn't the most complex or bold Imperial Red, it's really well made. Palate depth is on spot. Up front: sweet citrus juice, blood orange, grapefruit soda; the mids roll into the hops, with dank citrus, hemp, tobacco, and some bitter pine/guava towards the back; the back end trails off with hops and citrus and then drops some massive bread, caramel, and rye spice on your mouth. The finish is malty with lingering citrus...slight warming. Noice. 

Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average on this. This is one of the better attempts at an Imperial Red from Pipeworks. Actually...this might be their best attempt at the style. This is just an insanely drinkable and fun beer, with tons of sweet citrus popping, and nice balance from the hops and malts. This beer actually feels intentionally cohesive and thoughtful. It's just good. If you see this one on shelves or in the fridge, grab it now while it is still fresh. Food pairings here? It's hard to say, with this style. The sweet malt notes and rye notes seem like they would pair well with a pastrami sandwich on rye, deli food (anything from a Polish or Jewish deli), and maybe even German or Swedish cuisine. I'm thinking sausage and sauerkraut, or maybe some Swedish Meatballs. This beer maybe isn't hoppy enough to pair with overly spicy American food...but it might also work with sweet barbecue sauce, and maybe some sweet pork tacos. So yeah, you have a wide potential in terms of food pairings here. Slaw and BBQ? Yes.

Random Thought: I have to admit, the Period Panties are pretty awesome. And it seems like they have lots of support. Beer + Period Panties = good times. Although I don't menstruate, I can raise a glass and say "cheers" to that. 

Pipeworks Guavanatrix

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #411/412) bought at Binny's in IL; 2014 (bottled 05.22.2014)

Style/ABV: Imperial Pale Ale, 8.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

Tonight's Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™ is a little bit more kinky that usual. Based on the bottle artwork and back label for the Guavanatrix, you might get the impression that this is part of their Berliner series: apparently not. But who doesn't love a big Pale Ale spiked with fruit? About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Guavanatrix is an "Imperial Pale Ale with guava added." The back of the bottle reads:

"This kinky lady is very confident that this consensual pairing of hopped up pale ale and juicy, tropical guava is about to slap you across the face, and give your tastebuds a tart whipping. It's BDSMmmmm so good. This femme submits to no one. It'd be pure torture not to release the pressure under this cap. Now, be a good slave and put this in your glass." 

This one pours into an unimpressive amberish, yellow-gold body that is kind of stagnant and "meh." The beer also produces a finger of white head which recedes into a nice cauldron effect/sea foam, and leaves lacing. Some of this is my fault for choosing a wide glass, but whatever. Do people actually care about the appearance? In bright light, the beer takes on a radiant and juicy golden-yellow color with orange tones. The best thing going on here is all that clingy lacing. 

The aroma here is outstanding, and is reminiscent of Laguintas' more hoppy offerings, and the early Ninja vs. Unicorn beers. Namely, the Galaxy Unicorn. I'm getting hugely dank and resinous guava, apricot, peach, mango, and oily hemp. This aroma is dank as hizzy. The guava totally comes over the top, and you get some agave, and juicy hop resin. This is ridiculous.

Wow. This tastes amazing. This is something special...with giant agave, guava, apricot funk, hemp oil, and huge hop resin coming over the top to punch your mouth in the mouth-dick. This conjures up tasting notes of nondescript tropical fruits; namely peach, mango, apricot, and pineapple; but it's all very subtle and subdued. There's a nice soapy, resinous finish here, and right now (at slightly cooler temps) the hops are crushing any malt presence. 

This is medium-bodied with just enough carbonation, but things move along thanks to the awesome hop profile. I'm not getting any of the quoted 8.0%. As this warms up, some caramel and bready malts start to peak through, but this is still a dank, resinous, hop show. This has fantastic palate depth and duration, but the complexity is admittedly simple. Or simple enough. Up front is a big blast of guava, dank tropical fruit suggestions, apricot funk; the mids roll into more hops, more guava/agave, more tropical fruit suggestions; the back end gives way to some caramel/bread and malty hints, and the finish is hoppy and dank and bitter and resinous. It's pretty, pretty good. 

Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average on this. This is solid, and it reminds me of the early Ninja vs. Unicorn stuff. I'm almost picking up a menthol note in this as I go in for the rest of the bomber...I'm pairing this with a salad and lunch meat sandwich, but this super dank and resinous IPA would go well with ribs, pork chops, chicken sandwiches, and chicken wings. If I see this on shelves again, I may need to grab another bottle. 

Random Thought: I'm excited to kick back and watch some hockey on Saturday, and basketball on Sunday. I have me a 32oz bottle of Laguintas Sucks laying around, so hopefully I'll get to that sometime soon.

Pipeworks Mocha Abduction

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #435/36/37) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled 05.??.2014)

Style/ABV: Imperial Stout (brewed with cacao, vanilla, and coffee), 10.5%
Reported IBUs: ?

Happy Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™ everybody. I'm not going to ramble on for too long here. All you need to know is beer good, Friday better. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Mocha Abduction ominously states:

"I don't think these aliens are that bad. What's that you ask? That they don't like you? That they don't like me either? WRONG! I mean maybe we've all just been brainwashed by Hollywood alien invasion movies. Has anyone even tried to talk to them? Here, I'll go bring them a Pipeworks Mocha Imperial Stout with coffee and rich chocolate. This beer is amazing. No disintegrations. " 
- Jeff's last words before being encased in choconite.

Pipeworks Mocha Abduction

The Mocha Abduction pours out like every other Abduction, only datglass.woah and thistle.jpeg and yeah. Look at that glass: head retention, massive cascading foam -- fuckin' a. The body of this beer is dark black and opaque, and depending on your glass of choice, you'll be left with several fingers of dense, sustaining, mocha-tinted head. Bright light confirms the same stuff. 

The aroma: oh yeah. This is the good stuff. I'm getting massive waves of chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, vanilla bean, coffee, mocha, and big-ass biscotti. Wowza. There's some really nice coffee notes on the nose, with hazelnut, freshly brewed coffee, and nutty-coffee-sweetness. Dayum.

Mmm...this is blissful. Wow. This dials things up past Southern Tier levels of sweetness, with huge hazelnut, sweet vanilla, bitter espresso bite, mocha, and some velvety smooth vanilla/cacao notes. The coffee stands out strong in the mix, and provides a much needed backbone and counterpoint to all the sweet notes. The hazelnut lingers for quite some time, and then as that drops off you are left with lingering coffee and alcohol warming. There are big molasses and cakey sweetness up front, and this beer screams "dessert" with notes that hint at coconut cake and chocolate cake. Just...fantastic.

I'm smitten. I wasn't even tasting a Stout tonight...."drink the hoppy pale ale," I was thinking, as I drove home from work. This beer is fantastic. Easily up there with the Coffee Break, maybe better. You definitely get some alcohol warming, but you don't taste any of the 10.5%. This beer is slick and smooth, with just enough carbonation. It's still full-bodied, but the coffee provides much needed contrast to the heavy body and sweetness. Palate depth is off the charts, and this is fairly complex when you consider the one-dimensional concept. Up front: molasses, huge swaths of sweet coffee, hazelnut, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla, espresso, mocha; the mids roll into some dark fruits, more molasses, chocolate, coffee, bitter coffee; the back end continues with bitter coffee, mocha, espresso, and a really nice coffee finish. The finish is sticky and sweet with those sugary kisses, and then your drunk uncle, Alcohol, shows up to tuck you in and hold you tight. 

Rating: Divine Brew (5.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Divine Brew here. This is blissful and hitting the spot. This beer is basically dessert, but I can't help but think it would pair really well with a raunchy burger, vanilla ice cream, dry chocolate cakes, and anything with coffee in it. Or you could light up a cigar with deep tobacco notes, and just unwind. I should have picked up another bottle of this, but I was being considerate. 

Random Thought: Seriously, as far as over-the-top glassware goes, this giant Scotch Ale glass/thistle is pretty near the top. It's almost on par with the Kwak glass or the Tripel Karmeliet glass. 

Pipeworks Bunny and the Bird English Style IPA

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #379/382) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled 04.19.2014)

Style/ABV: Imperial English Style IPA, 9.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

It's not Thursday, so obviously it's not an Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™. But my Thursday night is going to be busy, and I'm in the mood for a big, juicy IPA. I figure you can't go wrong here. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

The Bunny and the Bird's bottle reads:

"Fresh from an overseas adventure, the ceaselessly curious companions Bunny and Bird combined an English malt and yeast with East Kent Golding, El Dorado, and Nelson Sauvin hops to create a delightfully clean, malty English IPA with vinous character. We brewed this ale for Ryan, an intrepid friend who has been with us along our adventure and who can always count on Bunny and Bird to inspire him to live life to the fullest. Cheers to loved ones, full lives and full glasses! Cheerio!"

This one pours into a dark gold, amber color, and kicks up three fingers of gold/amber-tinted head. The body is hazy and looks like gold pennies. In bright light the beer takes on a deep orange color, and you can see spotty carbonation dancing around. The head is fluffy, creamy, and sustaining nicely. Overall it looks the part of an IPA.

Pipeworks Bunny and the Bird English Style IPA 

The aroma here is huge. Pipeworks has always had a knack for making big IPAs and Stouts, but they've really brought their A-game the past few hoppy beers I've had from them. The aroma of this beer is exploding with Nelson Sauvin grape, grape leaf, and big passion fruit. There's a ton of mild spice and earthy hop goodness, with citrus-pepper, fennel, and coriander...but all the spice is backed by gentle and pleasant citrus, probably courtesy of the East Kent Golding and El Dorado hops. I'm getting citrus, tangerine, passionfruit, and juicy hop goodness to the Nth degree on the aroma.

This is surprisingly earthy and wonderful...I don't even think I've had a beer like this before. I'm getting a lot of grape leaf, earthy grape pit, and resinous passionfruit. There's also big sweet hop character in here, with tangerine, melon, orange, and bright tropical fruits. But the tropical fruits never blossom...this is not a "bright" beer, if that makes any sense. There's definitely a candy sweetness element to the hop character in this beer, but the beer retains a darker, leafy edge. Kind of like a London fog. /dadjokes

This is one of the most refined Imperial IPAs I've had from Pipeworks, with an appropriate medium body mouthfeel. There's plenty of carbonation to smooth things out, and although this has some backing caramel malts, it retains a nice hoppy edge. You wouldn't know this was 9.0%, so don't boof and drive. Palate depth is above-average, and this is moderately complex. This isn't a world destroyer, but it's no slouch either. Up front: big Nelson Sauvin grape leaf, grape pit, and bitter passion fruit wrapped up in a nice malty sweet body; the mids continue with some mildly resinous and grapey hops, adding layers of tangerine, orange, and melon sweetness; the back end finishes bitter with lingering hops and some lingering malt goodness. Well executed and tasty.

Rating: Above-Average (3.5/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Decent Above-Average...a very enjoyable offering from the Pipeworks crew, I don't feel bad about picking this one up @ around $10 a bomber. Food pairings here lean towards leafy burgers, anything with cilantro, strong cheeses, and anything that gels well with bright, candy-like hops that have a dark green approach.

Random Thought: Gotta hand it to Pipeworks for having this IPA thing down.

Pipeworks Mint Truffle Abduction

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 22oz bottle (Batch #353/54/55) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled 03.20.2014)

Style/ABV: Imperial Stout/American Double, 10.5%
Reported IBUs: ?

OH SHIT SON, it's been a while since we've rolled out an official Unofficial Pipeworks Thursday™. You know what that means. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

Tonight's big chocolate-mint Abduction clocks in at 10.5%. The back of the bottle states:

"Begin alien transmission: "Foolish humans! You're doomed! Doomed! Even more doomed than we hoped! You can't resist the universally delicious combo of fresh mint and chocolate! Muhah! It's time to ad-mint that there is no escape! Ok, now I'm getting charged for 'Roaming' so I have to go. You hang up. No, what am I saying? I'm doing the fear mongering here! I'll hang up. Doom!" End alien transmission."

Pipeworks Mint Truffle Abduction

The beer pours into an opaque, black body...per the usual course for these abduction beers. The beer kicked up a finger of dark tan/brown head. The head has settled into a nice ring around the edge of the glass, and there is sticky lacing and some glossy alcohol legs. It's very Stout-like. Woo.

The aroma immediately reminds me of the Pipeworks Chai Dog. I'm getting big anise on the aroma, with some clove/menthol/mint, big cardamon, intense spices, and a respectable stout backbone. The stout backbone includes aromas of coffee, chocolate, roast, and dark grains. It smells...intriguing. I guess I was expecting more mint and chocolate chip...let's dig into the taste.

The taste mirrors the nose to a tee. I'm getting a lot of anise, menthol, clove, tobacco, and cardamon/chai in the taste. I'm also getting a lot of coffee and chocolate in the mix, with some hints of roast. I WILL SAY, there is a nice minty/menthol twang that you pick up in the back of your throat...and the back end cleans up nicely, leaning more towards the mint/menthol and chocolate.

I'm really surprised at how earthy and spicy this beer is. There's a lot of menthol character, with some chai and clove and cardamon...you definitely get some mint, but it's not like mint chocolate-chip ice cream. This is a full-bodied beer with lazy carbonation, but it works for the style. At 10.5% this is a smooth operator, with minimal booze. Palate depth is good, and the complexity is okay. This beer is intriguing...but I was hoping for more of that ice cream shop interplay between assertive mint and assertive chocolate. Regardless...up front is menthol/chai/cardamon and chocolate; the mids dial up big Stout base with chocolate, coffee, some earthy roast, sticky sugars, and some nice hints of mint/menthol; the back end is where you pick up the straight up mint, and then you get some of that Andes candy mint-chocolate interplay, but it is brief. The finish is sticky and boozy. 

Rating: Above-Average (3.5/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Light Above-Average...this is definitely my least favorite of the Abduction beers, but it's a fun little riff. An experiment, I suppose. I actually really like the back end of this beer, which dials up that mint-chocolate experience. And the front end also works, but it leans more towards some of those earthy spices and mint flavor. It kind of reminds me of a clove or menthol cigarette. I dunno. Fun times in Abduction land, I would recommend this @ $10 a pop. Which is what I paid. I hope Pdubs brews this again...maybe they can up the chocolate/mint ante. Or Andes. Or whatever.

Random Thought: I just realized that with all my Pipeworks reviews I'm basically a Pdubs shill. 

Pipeworks The Murderous (Tales From The Oak / Barrel Aged Murderous / aged in Elijah Craig 12 Barrels)

Brewed By: Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, IL  

Purchased: 12oz bottle (Batch #107) bought at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL; 2014 (bottled 04.18.2013)

Style/ABV: Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine-style Ale, 11.0%
Reported IBUs: ?

I'm really excited to have tracked down this beer, especially after really enjoy Pipeworks' barrel-aged The Jones Dog. About Pipeworks:

Pipeworks has humble roots. The brewery was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The duo were both homebrewers that met while while working at West Lakeview Liquors. In 2011, they began to raise money for their brewery using the online Internet site, Kickstarter. Olson and Lewis were both educated at De Struise Brewery in Oostvleteren, Belgium. With that knowledge, and the money from their kickstarter, Olson and Lewis created a unique brewery that is smaller in size, and intended to brew smaller batches of beer. The company's motto is "small batches, big beers." And indeed, since the brewery has been around, they've been releasing a lot of one-offs and small batch releases. The goal is to release a new beer every week. You can read more about the brewery at their website HERE.

Tonight's beer was bottled back in early 2013. I reviewed a batch of the Pipeworks Murderous (the base beer), and found it to be just okay. I really think the fusion of the bourbon barrel can greatly improve the base beer, so I have high hopes for this beer. The back of the bottle states:

"Our Murderous, English style barley wine, aged in Elijah Craig Bourbon Barrels."

Pipeworks The Murderous / BA Elijah Craig 12

This one pours into a hazy/murky dark-brown, golden raisin color. It looks like your typical Barleywine that has spent some time in a barrel, with deceptive dark brown darkness that is actually more golden raisin in color. The beer kicks up a finger of amber-tinted head, but that gives way to a ring of off-color lacing and some hazy cauldron effect action. There's some glossy alcohol legs to boot. It's not a pretty beer...but then how many barrel-aged beers are.

The aroma here is nothing spectacular, with straightforward bourbon/whiskey, some raisin sweetness, and hints of cherries and fruits. I'm getting mild oak/wood, and the underwhelming Murderous backdrop.

This is okay...I'm getting raisins, light wheat malt character, apples, and mild whiskey sweetness. There's a hint of bourbon/oak/vanilla, and tons of sugar....I'm getting sweet raisins, cherry cola, toasted grains, light nutty, hints of toasted coconut, and lingering grain/coconut in the back.

A couple thoughts...the barrel does improve the base beer, but I still think the base beer could be made better. This is okay, but it's very much par the course, I think. The mouthfeel is medium-full to full-bodied, with good palate depth and low complexity. At 11.0% this is actually fairly drinkable, with non-obstructive barrel AND low levels of residual sugars. This is really a beer in two parts: up front are raisins, fruits, wheat malts, apples, alcohol sweetness, sugar; the mids hit some of those sweeter, English-style Barleywine notes; and the back end dials up the toasted grains, nutty notes, and hints of toasted coconut. The finish features lingering coconut/toasted grains, some boozy warming, and moderate levels of residual sugars for the style. The barrel character could be more involved, and the base beer could be better.

Rating: Average (3.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Decent Average on this. I think this is going to be my least favorite of the Pipeworks' "Tales From The Oak" series. Having said that, this is still an enjoyable English-style Barleywine, and this is better than the base beer. At around $8/12oz bottle, this may not be the best investment out there...but how many barrel-aged Barleywines are readily available? You can pair this beer with a myriad of desserts, namely creme brulee. I think this is a good attempt from Pdubs, but I really want to see a Murderous 2.0. Or maybe that's just me.

Random Thought: Up next....The Last Kiss.