Step into the bathroom at the Epic Taproom and you’ll meet a unicorn—not just any unicorn, but a full technicolor, cosmic beast beaming with playful majesty. This vibrant mural, painted by artist Daisy Nicholas, isn’t just wall candy. It’s part of the Epic story—because Daisy isn’t just a muralist. She’s the daughter of Luke Nicholas, Epic’s founder and the man behind some of New Zealand’s most iconic hop-forward beers.

This is family lore in paint and hops.

And the unicorn? It was born from a beer.

From Joke to Icon: The One Trick Pony Series

The One Trick Pony series began as a wink and a nod to the nickname some craft beer circles gave Luke: a one-trick pony. Translation? The guy who makes nothing but hoppy pale ales.

Luke’s response? “Damn right I do. And I do it better than anyone.”

So, he turned the phrase into a challenge. A test lab. A proving ground.

Each One Trick Pony release uses a single hop variety, brewed under identical conditions, to isolate and explore that hop’s full potential. Like a solo act on stage with no backup band. Just pure, unfiltered hop expression.

Enter: The Magical Unicorn

Years after the first Mosaic-hopped OTP release, Luke revisited the hop that helped define the movement—Mosaic—and dialed it up to legendary status. Thus, Magical Unicorn IPA was born.

At 6.4%, it’s a beautifully composed beer: brilliantly clear, fruit-forward, and polished to perfection. Layers of mango, peach, blueberry, citrus, and pine roll across the tongue like a rainbow on a rollercoaster. It's bold, expressive, and balanced—like Mosaic itself.

And it felt like a unicorn. So much so that Daisy, immersed in the world her dad built, picked up a paintbrush and made it real.

What started as a spontaneous mural in the Taproom bathroom became the face of the beer itself. The beer inspired the art. The art became the label. The label came home to the tap it was poured from.

A Family Affair, A Brewery Legacy

This isn’t just a marketing gimmick or a cute coincidence—it’s a full-circle moment. Daisy Nicholas, growing up surrounded by hops, tanks, and creativity, channeled that world into visual form. Her unicorn became a symbol of the Epic spirit: bold, playful, unexpected, and utterly unforgettable.

Now, every sip of Magical Unicorn IPA carries that legacy. It’s a father-daughter collaboration spanning generations, styles, and mediums—brewing meets brushstrokes.

The Unicorn Lives On

Magical Unicorn is a celebration of Mosaic’s complexity, the spirit of the One Trick Pony series, and the deep roots of family, craft, and imagination.

Tasting Notes Recap:

• Appearance: Pale gold brilliance with sparkling clarity and a creamy white crown

• Aroma: Juicy tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, papaya) with a hint of citrus and earthy pine

• Taste: A vibrant mosaic (pun intended) of mango, melon, peach, and blueberry, balanced with crisp citrus-pine bitterness

• Mouthfeel: Silky, medium-bodied, finely carbonated, with a clean, dry finish that lingers just long enough to tempt the next sip

So the next time you visit the Epic Taproom, head to the bathroom. Look that unicorn in the eye. Then grab a pint of Magical Unicorn and drink in the magic—because when family, hops, and art collide, something truly mythical happens.

#StillPouring #StillEpic #OneTrickPony #MagicalUnicornIPA