Jai Alai IPA - Cigar City Brewing

zac16125

South Carolina

4.21/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz can into a pint glass
Canned on : 4-18-13

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden amber with 3.5 fingers width of dense slightly off white head. Retention is good, and it leaves a moderate amount of patchy lacing.

S: Tropical fruit sweetness with pineapple and mango. There is also a significant degree of sweet caramel malt aromas. Some floral aromas, and only a hint of piney bitterness.

T: Citrus with orange and lemons. Piney bitterness on the finish. Like the nose its quite sweet with lots of malty sweetness and some mango notes. Better balance of sweet and bitterness on the taste than the nose.

M/D: Medium body, appropriate carbonation, fairly smooth. Drinkability is good.

O: Overall, a very nice IPA. I had this beer many times when I lived in FL and was never too impressed, but revisiting it now for the first time in a year or two and I liked it more than I remembered. Maybe the canning has allowed it to hit distro fresher than before (or maybe I was just drinking unfresh bottles/drafts back them). Either way, not mind blowing, but well above average, and an enjoyable beer that I will certainly drink again.

Serving type: can

04-27-2013 22:15:02 | More by zac16125

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I'm finally getting to try this one. Popped up at Abe's in Bethlehem PA, in cans. I have sat on this for a little while (canned Jan 15 2013) but it still tastes rather fresh. The appearance may have suffered, but I can't be sure whether this is due to sitting in the fridge or not. It's a nice golden amber color, but has a lot of unpleasant looking sediment... and I mean worse than Heady Topper. Anyway, not a big deal at all though. The lacing is fantastic from the bubbly white head. Good amount of carbonation. The aroma is fruity, tangy, and juicy. When drank, the taste is no let down compared to the very pleasing aroma... although it is more bitter than the smell suggests. Sharp and resinous. The fade lingers for the finish, and is medium to full bodied... excellent. Overall, this IPA is up there with the best of 'em!

Serving type: can

04-14-2013 03:53:01 | More by Neorebel

thlayli87

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes

A - Copper color with 2 finger pillowy white head. Excellent lacing on the glass

S - Floral aromas, pineapple, pine resin

T - Pineapple, caramel malt, then bitter piney hop finish. Good balance of sweet and bitter

M - Thick for an IPA

O - Very solid offering; perhaps not as crisp as some, but quite tasty

Serving type: can

04-14-2013 00:44:27 | More by thlayli87

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.59/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Can from Total Wine. Canned April 4 and consumed April 10. There was a Happy Birthday message under the canning date as well. I had a less fresh 6 pack a week ago, but I decided to post a review of the fresher product. From notes.

A - Poured golden and bright. Two finger soapy white head and mild carbonation. Spotty lace rings and a film of reteniton. Interestingly the fresher Jai Alai poured bright, whereas the less fresh cans were hazy with sediment.

S - Super tropical. Juicy hop goodness. Great mango and super fresh juicy citrus. Candied fruit syrup. Light malt component for balance too.

T - Juicy citrus, tropical fruit, mild malt but very hop forward with really juicy fruits.

M - Medium bitterness, light carbonation, medium to full body.

O/D - Such a delicious IPA. No alcohol evident in the flavour. So well done. Very sessionable. Really juicy and flavourful and well crafted very properly. A lovely IPA.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 18:59:37 | More by tbeckett

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.81/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Generously shared by Rutager.

A: Cloudy amber liquid with 1/2" cream coloured head.

S: Melon, peach, lime and tangerine.

T: Melon, peach, tangerine, grapes and passionfruit.

M: Medium viscosity and carbonation.

O: A beautiful IPA that is not only very easy drinking but also one of the best hopped with Citra that I have ever had.

Serving type: can

04-08-2013 01:09:58 | More by DaftCaskBC

rlee1390

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-Cloudy bright orange, two finder white head that leaves behind some lacing.

S-Great hop profile, citrus orange, floral notes as well.

T-Not as good as the nose but still good. Very citrus and tropical mangoes even. Slight bitterness though.

M-Medium bodied, nicely carbonated, smooth not much in the way of hop resins.

O-A top notch IPA, could have used a tad more bitterness for my taste but still great.

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 21:39:29 | More by rlee1390

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Pale amber body with just a hint of haze to it. Lots of floaters in this one, similar to a Heady Topper. Big, fluffy off-white head that leaves a lot of lacing.

S- Tons of citrus, dominated by grapefruit. Hints of pineapple and pine as well. Just a blast of fresh hoppy goodness in the nose.

T- Lots of citrus and tropical fruits in the taste as well. Smooth malt backbone balances this one out slightly. Tons of hops.

M- Medium bodied, medium carbonation, somewhat of a carbonation bite, but overall pretty smooth.

O- A great IPA bursting with great flavors. The look and aroma make this seem like a Heady Topper Jr.

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 21:18:56 | More by stephenjmoore

UCLABrewN84

California

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Can pour at the bottle share held at Chloe's inside Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, CA.

Canned on 12/27/12.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. There are small bits of sediment seen floating around after the pour. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, and some tropical fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with a citrus zest flavor on the finish. There is a medium amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 22:41:26 | More by UCLABrewN84

gblaustein

New Hampshire

4.99/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just picked up a six pack on Longboat Key. Canned two days ago. Smells like candied tropical fruit, tastes the same, creamy malty tropical citrus, very little bitterness, slight spice. My wife loved it too. Who knew they could brew such a great beer from Florida gator p@@s water. Not a tongue bruiser hut one ofthe best I've ever had.

Serving type: can

04-03-2013 21:36:11 | More by gblaustein

mnphish

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

12oz can dated 12.27.12 poured into a Snifter. This has got to be one of the most beautiful looking IPA's on the planet. It's got a hazy dark orange body with a one finger white head that stays afloat and leaves light lacing.

The nose brings very real tropical flavors of exotic fruit. Sugary Pineapple, grapefruit, peaches, orange, mango, and citrus.

It starts with hop flavors that are dominated by citrus fruit, oranges, and sweet peaches. There is a slight bitter aftertaste that makes it very balanced. There aren't many 'tropical' IPA's that live up to Jai Alai. I could drink this on a beach for the rest of my life. Underrated on BA.

I wish I wasn't spoiled with the White Oak version first. This is still fantastic. Peachy O's in a can!

Serving type: can

04-03-2013 03:42:42 | More by mnphish

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours a ruddy copper orange color with a nice rocky head of smaller bubbles. The head leaves behind a lovely sticky sheet of lacing that forms a ring with some nice stalactites running from it. In the body, the beer is very clean and light, and completely clear of particles. On the nose, the beer smells of tropical pine trees with a touch of mango citrus. The beer smells even better from the can, where the citrus is amped up into pineapple range while the pine amplifies as well into dank resinous hops. The hops are big but not overpowering, and really quite inviting. The malt base behind it is warm and bready with a terrific yet subtle rye spice. On the tongue, the beer tastes bittersweet with a nice warming heat from the spice flavor. The flavors begin as bready spice, which builds into bitter pine and grapefruit flavors with a touch of pineapple. The finish is strong with bitters which move towards medicinal in flavor with a nice little hiccup of spice to close out the finish. The aftertaste also tingles with spice and bitter pine. This is not an in-your-face IPA flavor, and certainly not a big double IPA, but it is delicious and still fills my bitter-thirst. The nuances between the hops and the generic spice flavor continue to unfold different flavors on the tongue, and really make this beer fun to drink. In the can, this beer’s fruit flavors are intensified and made crisper while the spice is diminished. I get a lot of juicy pine and orange citrus hops with a touch of cool mint at the back of the throat. On the mouth, the beer feels medium creamy in carbonation with just a touch of tingle. The beer’s body feels medium light on the tongue, and the mouth is left properly dry and a touch sticky. Alcohol is present only as a soft tingle in the sides of the mouth. Overall, this is a damn fine IPA that stands out by being different. I love the spice and I love the mixture of the hops with the spice. This is a terrific in-the-can beer, and this is a terrific out of the can beer. It is my first taste of Cigar City, and I have to say that I’ve enjoyed it, they pack a hell of a lot of flavor into it, and they hide the alcohol brilliantly. Try this beer.

Serving type: can

04-03-2013 01:21:27 | More by Maxwell

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This ale made my hotel nights at Disneyworld tolerable. Pours a hazy dirty orange color with rather thick and creamy off-white head. Nose is nicely enticing with some candied fruits, fresh fruits, and an herbal/grassy presence. On the palate there's a big juicy fruit hop quality right away with plenty of tartness, some decent malt balance, and a very good body. Savory, rewarding, and drinkable. Probably my favorite on the shelves in Florida.

Serving type: can

04-02-2013 01:28:18 | More by yemenmocha

WallingBrew

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This IPA reminded me a lot of Jockamo from Abita.
Hop forward with noticeable spice.. I enjoyed it but the the spicy flavor to the hop profile is not my go to for IPA's, still I enjoyed it. All in all worth seeking out and trying. I was far more impressed by the Maduro Brown ale. This being offered in a can was a plus.

Serving type: can

04-01-2013 01:55:48 | More by WallingBrew

NoleDoc

Florida

4.71/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Served from a can to a snifter glass. Cigar City's Jai Alai a crisp and refreshing IPA. It has a nice dark orange color. You can smell the tropical aromas jump out at you as you begin to take a sip. Smells of grapefruit and pineapple jump at you. The initial citrus flavors invade your pallet with a crisp hoppy finish towards the end. The mouthful is crisp and refreshing with just the right amount of hops, the bitterness doesn't linger in the back of the pallet. Truly another delicious beer from Cigar City.

Serving type: can

03-31-2013 22:49:19 | More by NoleDoc

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks goes out to Immortale25 for this one!

12 oz can poured into a snifter at cellar temperature.

L – Medium amber color with a 2-finger frothy, rocky, cream-colored head. Really nice retention and some nice patchy, bubbly lacing. Initially clear with a good amount of bubbles – I clouded it up after pouring in some of the bottom-dwelling sediment.

S – A big blast of fruity, juicy hops with orange, peach, grapefruit, mango, and pineapple notes. There may be some caramel malt here, as well. For all the times that I’ve used juicy in a description for hop bouquet, this is by far the juiciest. This aroma just seems to ooze tropical fruit and citrus juices.

T – It starts off sweet with caramel and bready malt. As the taste progresses, the bittersweet twang of orange, mango, peach, and pineapple hops appears. Toward the finish, bitterness builds with grapefruit being the foremost flavor. Again, very juicy.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a creamy and sticky mouthfeel, and a bittersweet and dry finish. Bittersweet fruity hop flavors linger for a fantastic amount of time.

O – This is a great IPA. The aroma and taste are great and are just packed with fruity, juicy hops. It’s a bit thinner than I would like, but that’s really the only complaint I can have about this beer. I’ve been wanting to try this one for a while and I’m so glad that I finally did. Thanks, Joel!

Serving type: can

03-31-2013 22:03:41 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Qwest_35

Florida

4.96/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I've had this beer plenty of times, most of the time with about 3-4 week's of age on it. However I was able to get some 10 day old cans today and I thought I would review. Pours a beautiful hazy orange-gold with a decent amount of fluffy creamy head, great lacing. This is by far one of the most unique smelling IPA's out there, the aroma just says Florida! I'm getting a ton of citrus, pineapple, mango and slight canned peachy goodness! Taste is right there with the nose, this is a perfect beach beer after a long day of surfing. Overall a very well balanced easy drinking offering from Cigar City. A must try for everybody who loves great beer!

Serving type: can

03-30-2013 03:48:09 | More by Qwest_35

brewtus

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Glad to finally try this. Poured can into tulip. Pours hazy light orange with a frothy two finger head. Smell is bready, sweet fruit, tropical, slightly piney. Tastes is tropical fruits, biscuit , pine, very subtle malt backbone. smooth for the amount of flavor and the ABV level. This ipa is fairly complex without being overpowering, it is very very drinkable. Floridians are lucky to have this at their fingertips, great iPA that packs tons of flavor without overdoing the hop profile.

Serving type: can

03-28-2013 03:41:16 | More by brewtus

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.29/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a can into a Gordan Biersch glass.

Appearance- Cloudy/yeasty copper/orange color with thin head and moderate lacing.

Smell- Piney hops, mango, clementine, tropical citrus fruit, white grapes with light tartness. Very fruity.

Taste- Maltier than expected. Fruity hops with light mild earthy hops present. Not very bitter at all.

Mouthfeel- Moderate carbonation. Lighter body. Light heat at the back of my throat. Crisp clean finish.

Overall- Not a bad IPA. Maltier than expected. Can't wait to try the white oak I have as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 16:06:43 | More by Seanniek91

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cigar City Jai Alai

Poured from a 12 ounce can into a Cigar City shaker pint glass. This was served chilled.

A) Nice looking amber, with perhaps just a slight haze. A frothy two finger head reaches the top of the pint glass perfectly. This slowly settled to a dusting. An ass ton of lacing...

S) Pleasantly floral, with ample citrus aroma as well. It has a fresh squeezed orange juice sweetness.

T) This has really nice balance. The sweetness of those little Clementine oranges, combining with just enough of a grassy, piney bitterness. It's really quite wonderful. Nice aftertaste too...

M) This has some thickness to it. Really, quite full-bodied. Soft carbonation, very smooth. A sticky bitterness demands another sip, until sadly, your pint is dry.

O) I've been waiting to try this one, and it definitely met my expectations. This is one delicious IPA. This is definitely one of those beers that you wish was available where you reside, but sadly it is not. I will make sure to savor the few cans I have left. Glad to recommend this beer.

Serving type: can

03-27-2013 01:10:17 | More by RoamingGnome

smiga

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Kudos for great beer in cans. Esp for FL. Cans are so much better than bottles.

A: hazy golden copper color with a bit of sediment. The head is a two finger firm white. Great lacing, a great looking ipa.

S: Citrus & tropical fruit, grapefruit rind predominant, hoppy. As other reviewers wrote, more catty than other ipas, which, is not my first choice. Over time the malts come through more, but they are secondary, biscuit and caramel.

T: Very refreshing. Tastes like West Coast florida and perfect with mexican food we're having on Anna Maria Island vacation. starts w tropical fruit flavors, supplanted by a hoppy midtaste with great tingle, and a finish comprised of herbs, shortbread, and caramel malt. A little bit cookie sweet.

M: Tingly, perfect carbonation. Sweet, yet refreshing. Great food beer, good medium body. The hop resins linger quite well. Well made.

O: Complex. Original. Floridian. A top IPA, a must to try, and an original SE style. Will definitely come back to this and share with my hop head pals. A bit sweet for me compared with my faves which are more piney bitter.

Great that it comes in cans, which say (Drink Fresh, Dont age.)

Serving type: can

03-26-2013 23:39:52 | More by smiga

Rimbimhoot

Illinois

4.71/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Orange hazy appearance. Smell is citrus and tropical fruits. Represents exactly what I look for in an ipa. Taste is like juicy nectar. Citrus from the hops dominates the palate with a light malt backbone to balance. Hops definitely take the spotlight. Mouth feel is nice and light. Overall I'd day this is my favorite ipa at the moment. Gonna bring done back to Chicago for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2013 02:08:10 | More by Rimbimhoot

pschul4

Illinois

4.41/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Got a "first run" can as an extra in a trade with greghochsprung. Who send old ass IPAs as extras? JK I asked for it, thanks greg!

A- Pours a nice murky orange wih a big fluffy 1" head. Looks great. I like my IPAs like I like my women, translucent.

S- Pretty faded. Some citrus in there but it seems to be 5 month old for some reason...

T- A shell of what it once as, the first run Jai Alais must stick close to the heard. If they wonder even fifty yards the wild ales will take them in a moments notice

M- Really good mouthswing, just the right level of carbonation

O- Excited to drink the fresh one tomorrow and do a re-review

Alright heres the fresh one, only differences for smell, taste and overall

S- Lots of great citrus hops on this end. Touch of sweet pale malts in the background

T- Huge burst of citrus in the front then a sharp change to pale malts in the end. Honestly I really like that aspect

O- This is what CCB was intending me to taste. Well done all around

Serving type: can

03-22-2013 03:06:17 | More by pschul4

garylite

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Some guy said its not as good as Pliny or Hopslam. Well no kidding. Add Zombie Dust Abrasive and others to that list. That said this is a very solid IPA at 7.5 ABV not a session beer but drinks like one. When in Florida it can be tough finding fresh beer of this quality from out of town breweries (found some year old Two Hearted Ale). This is the best beer brewed in Florida. Cans are nice touch too for many of the activities people do when in Florida.

Serving type: can

03-21-2013 17:53:43 | More by garylite

dogfishandi

New York

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz can poured into a snifter. "Canned on FEB 25, 2013 CHEERS!" Stamped on the bottom (just over 3 weeks old!)

Pours out a nice glowing orange color with a cloudy appearance as well as a good bit of fine sediment. Big soapy 2 fingers of white head off the pour, fades to a retentive layer leaving lots of sticky lace.

At first I get some citrus, hop resins, as it warm a bit of pine comes out as well as some candied malt, hints of grain

Definatly a balanced IPA. Some grapefruit citrus mixes with a bit of woody pine, sweet caramel malt, candied orange, hop resins comes in in the middle, hints of tropical fruits, then the citrus/ pine finishes it out. Bitter, but not as bitter as most are and although it does linger, again not as much as most IPAs, which is neither good nor bad.

Smooth and definatly drinkable, kind of a lighter lower carbonation. Medium bodied.

A stand up IPA, definatly more east coast in style. Look forward to try the different variations of this beer.

Serving type: can

03-19-2013 22:16:10 | More by dogfishandi

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had both on tap and from the can. Pours hazy dark copper, nice glowing orange, with a one-finger, creamy, light-khaki head on top that just refused to settle. Fantastic retention on this one, with walls of lacing to match. Gorgeous IPA.

Nose blasts you with smooth, citrusy, tropical hops. Orangey, with quite a bit of mango mixed in, bit of grapefruit, but not too prickley - again, the keyword is smooth. The malt never really shows through of its own accord, although there is a gentle sweetness to the fruity hop bouquet that they may be at least partially responsible for. In any case, very nice nose on this one.

Taste is really nice. Again, smooth grapefruit, orange, and tropical fruit take center stage, with just a bit of astringent bite leading into the earthy, lightly prickly finish. Caramel body underneath provides a gentle sweetness that supports the fruity hop character perfectly, especially as the beer warms up a bit, never really emerging into the spotlight on its own, always in a supporting role. Finish is one last wave of richly sweet caramel and big tropical/orangey hops, before withdrawing and leaving a surprisingly light lingering bitterness on the palate. Beautifully executed.

Mouthfeel is dry, medium-full in body, with just a bit of astringency to complement the medium-light carbonation. Nicely put together, though not as stellar as the taste or smell.

Drinkability, however, is remarkable. The perfect level of bitterness on the finish, perfect balance of flavors that belie the 7.5% abv, making this one feel bigger than it is. Smooth and inviting. The only thing that could make this just a bit more fantastic would be if it were filtered but I won't let my likes get in the way of a great ale review.

Serving type: can

03-11-2013 19:39:28 | More by ExtraStout