Pipeworks Super Rainbow Sure Bet 4Pk

Pipeworks Super Rainbow Sure Bet 4Pk is a 10.1% ABV cryo-hopped Imperial IPA sold as a four-pack of cans from Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago. This expression layers Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe Cryo Hops over tangerine, peach, mango, and lime additions — seven components engineered to deliver what the brewery describes as alcoholic rainbow sherbet in a can.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.1%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Cryo Hopped Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company operates out of its facility at 3912 W McLean Ave in Chicago, Illinois. Super Rainbow Sure Bet belongs to the brewery's Sure Bet series — a rotating lineup that showcases experimental hop and adjunct combinations. The key technical distinction here is the use of Cryo hops, a processing method that isolates concentrated lupulin from whole-leaf hops, delivering amplified hop aroma and flavor intensity while reducing vegetal harshness. Combined with four distinct fruit additions — tangerine, peach, mango, and lime — this beer pushes tropical character far beyond a standard Imperial IPA.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intensely tropical and fruity from the first pour. Ripe mango and tangerine lead, followed by resinous hop aromatics from the Cryo Mosaic and Citra, with a faint citrus-zest lift from the lime addition.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy, with mango and peach arriving first in a wave of soft, sweet tropical fruit. Mid-palate brings a creamy body that tempers the 10.1% ABV heat, while bitterness stays restrained despite the aggressive hop bill. Lime cuts through on the back end, adding a tart counterpoint to the sweetness.

Finish: A gentle warmth builds as the alcohol makes itself known, settling into a smooth, slightly creamy close. Lingering tropical fruit and a hint of hop resin fade gradually rather than dropping off sharply.

How to Drink Super Rainbow Sure Bet

Serve this beer cold — around 40–45°F — in a tulip glass or wide-mouthed pint to let the aromatic complexity open up. At 10.1% ABV, sipping pace matters; this is a beer that rewards slower drinking. A Tropical Shandy works well by cutting the intensity with lemonade for a lower-proof warm-weather drink. A Beermosa pairs the mango and peach notes naturally with fresh orange juice at brunch. For something bold, a Beer Margarita leans into the lime character with a salted rim and a splash of tequila.

Best For

• Sharing among hop-forward beer enthusiasts at a tasting session
• Bringing to a summer cookout as a standout conversation-starter
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who follows limited Pipeworks releases
• Pairing with spicy food nights where tropical fruit balance is welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Super Rainbow Sure Bet taste like? Super Rainbow Sure Bet delivers an intensely juicy, tropical fruit profile dominated by mango, peach, and lime, with low bitterness and a creamy mouthfeel despite its 10.1% ABV. Reviewers consistently describe it as more fruity and sweet than aggressively hoppy.

How does Super Rainbow Sure Bet compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs Unicorn? Both are Pipeworks Imperial IPAs, but Ninja vs Unicorn is the brewery's flagship double IPA with a more traditional hop-bitter backbone. Super Rainbow Sure Bet leans heavily into fruit adjuncts and Cryo hop technology, producing a sweeter, more sherbet-like drinking experience with less perceived bitterness.

Is Super Rainbow Sure Bet good for sipping? Yes — the restrained bitterness, creamy body, and layered fruit flavors make it very approachable for an Imperial IPA, though the 10.1% ABV demands a measured pace.

Where is Super Rainbow Sure Bet made? Super Rainbow Sure Bet is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company at their facility on West McLean Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Super Rainbow Sure Bet? Thai green curry benefits from the mango and lime echoing the dish's tropical aromatics. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa create a natural bridge to the beer's fruit profile. Tangy goat cheese complements the citrus-forward hops. Jerk chicken finds balance against the beer's sweetness and low bitterness. Key lime pie extends the lime note into a cohesive dessert pairing.

What sizes does Super Rainbow Sure Bet come in? Super Rainbow Sure Bet is available as a four-pack of cans.

Is Super Rainbow Sure Bet worth the price? Super Rainbow Sure Bet positions as a premium craft release within Pipeworks' rotating Sure Bet series, and its use of three Cryo hop varieties plus four fruit additions justifies placement above everyday IPAs in both complexity and price tier.

Why Super Rainbow Sure Bet?

The combination of three Cryo hop varieties — Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe — with four distinct fruit additions is an unusually ambitious recipe even by hazy Imperial IPA standards. Cryo hop processing concentrates lupulin oils, meaning the aromatic payload punches well above what whole-leaf hops deliver at equivalent dosing, while the tangerine, peach, mango, and lime create a layered fruit character that goes beyond single-note tropical IPAs. The result is a beer that drinks far more smoothly than its 10.1% ABV suggests, with a sherbet-like sweetness balanced by enough citrus acidity to keep each sip from cloying. For drinkers who want hop intensity without aggressive bitterness and fruit complexity without losing the beer underneath, this Pipeworks release hits a specific and hard-to-replicate target.