Jai Alai IPA - Cigar City Brewing

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz can into tulip.

A - Hazy sunset orange with a creamy white head.

S - Tropical fruit, orange citrus, sweet caramel, a touch of pine hops.

T - Orange and grapefruit bitterness hits first, followed by earthy pine and sweet biscuit malt. Good balance throughout. The finish brings in more piney hops, spice, and toasted grains.

M - Creamy and smooth, medium bodied. Average carbonation, slightly dry finish.

O - This is a very solid, flavorful IPA (bordering on a DIPA). Love the big hop presence and balance provided by the bready malt.

Serving type: can

02-11-2013 01:29:26 | More by mooseo

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance is cloudy with sediment of some sort. The color is amber with a smallish head.
Not picking up much aroma wise. Some light hops and malts with no destinct smell.
Taste is vaque. Light hops and malts.
Taste is good, but somewhat harsh, but with a clean finish.
Drinks easy and really isn't that bad but nothing stands out to me, at least according to the many reviews.
Stands up well to all you basic chain restaraunt IPA's - bland

Serving type: can

02-09-2013 12:34:47 | More by micromaniac129

tectactoe

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Finally, some Jai Alai - canned, of course. Pours a nearly copper, light-amber color with mild clarity - just a slight sheet of haze muddles the middle of the brew. Little, tiny, tiny bits of sediment circle around the beer; a cloudy, pillowing white head retains like a beast and leaves chunky-ass lacing along all edges of the glass, like a true champ.

The aroma is... Wow. Brilliant. Big-time fruit on the nose; huge bouts of tropical fruits - mango, papaya, tangerines, peaches, grapefruit, apricot... Smell this shit and tell me I'm wrong, I dare you. Not only do you get this wonderful cornucopia of fruit, you've got a nice bouquet of hops to fill in the edges. Pungent, wet, leafy, with a light, dank, weediness. This is the stuff dreams are made of. And Jai Alai, apparently.

The taste picks up right where the aroma leaves off - a fruit-fileld bitch slap to the tongue, complete with more mangos, pineapples, papayas, and oranges. And I'm talking some juicy-ass fruit, here. The kind that makes your mouth absolutely water. Authentic, ripe, and unadulterated in every sense of the word. Hops come to life even more so on the palate. Wet, pungent, oily, leafy, and I'm picking up some pine, too.

Bitterness is powerfully noticeable but not too sharp or harsh, not even close. It's perfectly balanced by the fruit and by the smaller helping hand of the malt; light bread and faint toasted caramel malts provide an extra "oomph" of sweetness, strictly for balance. It makes for such a soothing, drinkable bitterness. Finish is wet, grassy, juicy, fruity, etc... I could go on all day. Medium mouth feel and a medium-high level of carbonation.

Jai Alai. Blown away. There. I said it. This beer was fantastic, and it was much better than I was anticipating. I mean, I've heard good things about it, but I never thought it would be this good. Alcohol is seemingly absent, and 7.5% ABV isn't anything to scoff at. So goddamn drinkable and so goddamn tasty. Why don't they sell this in Michigan?

Serving type: can

02-08-2013 04:59:26 | More by tectactoe

Wolfpack2005

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks kpanter for hooking me up with this FL treat. Canned 7 Nov 12

A- Poured from a can into my DFH snifter. A nice deep orangish/amber with a 1 finger head that fades fast. Very hazy with bits of sediment floating around.

S-Has a very distinct fruity aroma of mangos and pineapples that is quite pleasing. There is also a bready/yeast scent that blend well with the fruits. The only reason that I scored it so low was the aromas where muted, they didn't jump out at me like I prefer with an IPA.

T-Upfront I get a spicy bitterness then SWEET caramel malts with small hints of the tropical fruit that was in the nose. Then a piney bitterness as the beer goes down.

M-Heavy and syrupy with moderate levels of carbonation.

O-Not a bad IPA, I can see the allure. I just prefer my IPA's lighter with crisper flavors. This was canned 3 months ago, but this was the last out of the 6er and the first one I had a month ago, I felt the same way about.

Serving type: can

02-07-2013 02:57:06 | More by Wolfpack2005

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Canned 12/27/2012. Poured from a 12oz can into a perfect pint glass. I poured it sort of hard, and did not see the label on the can suggesting a gentle pour until it was too late. Oh well. I have another can so if this doesn't work out or whatever, I have another shot at it.

Jai Alai looks decent enough. Very orange/gold/yellow in color, big white head to start, lacing as it recedes. Tons of floating particles (guessing from the rather aggressive pour.

Smell is just OK. No brilliant fruity aroma I expected as I cracked the can. It does have a unique floral/mango pineapple smell to it that I've never experienced, but it also smells a bit sour if that makes any sense. Not bad, just not amazing. Not everything can be.

Flavors are super unique as well. I get that floral fruit combo sorta present in the smell, but more in the taste. Again, not amazing, but good. Mango pineapple apple, less citrus but some. Pretty interesting flavor profile here. Suppose there is some malt in there as well.

Feel is incredibly balanced, for what this is overall. It's smooth then bitter, light then heavy and fruity. Medium to light carbonation, not as crisp but certainly contains elements of a decent refreshment.

Overall I give Jai Alai a 4 for the sake of uniqueness. I've had this before, but probably a year ago and on tap, maybe an old bottle too. This is a month old, so. Cheers.

Serving type: can

02-01-2013 04:33:53 | More by rodlavers

Trilogy31

California

3.08/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Canned 12/30/12. Pours a tanned leather with a frothy 3 fingers of rocky foam - nice head and legs. While i am writing this i already know how i want to score this but the "bros" 100 for this beer is amazing to me. As far as i know they havent given us sixes to rate with. This beer is nowhere near heady, pliny, anything by alpine, sucks, columbus ipa and the list goes on. Really, if 100 is perfection its unfair to rate this beer that high but it is a good beer; but i digress. The nose brings caramel malts, lime rind and honestly not much else this is very malt forward and struggle to find any tropical qualities to this beer (i love cigar city and have many of their beers i am just struggling to see why this is rated so high). Mouth brings a slightly herbal twinge, cat piss and some light shades of citrus - beginning to think my less than a month old can is past its prime (this is the second one i opened and both are consistent). Easy to drink much in the same way moretti doppio malto is, overall this is barely above average in my book.

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 05:03:17 | More by Trilogy31

gcamparone

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 12 oz can into a tulip glass. Acquired in a trade from RayUF07

A- Pours a slightly hazy bright orange body with a thick bubbly off-white head that exhibits high retention and leaves blotchy lacing. Reduces to chunks of white foam.

S- Quite raw. Yeasty and very floral with some citrus and bready notes sitting in the background.

T- Starts off with tropical citrus, lemon-lime notes. Subtle hop presence creates a piney finish. Not too hoppy but definitely flavorful.

M- Medium-high carbonation, medium body. Overall a very solid IPA, refreshing and complex. Recommendable.

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 00:35:54 | More by gcamparone

sebod89

Connecticut

4.54/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank it out of the 12-ounce can. Very first Cigar City beer and I was blown away. Poured a copper to golden color. Drank smooth and had a great citrusy and tropical fruit aroma. Drank it straight out of the can most of the time. This beer has everything you want in an IPA. Has jumped up very fast on my list of IPA's. Great Beer!

Serving type: can

01-30-2013 13:55:58 | More by sebod89

rufustiller

Florida

4.86/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I hope it's OK if I freestyle here. Everybody else has summed up the basics. I really like this beer and can't believe something this good is available at my local Publix, in a can no less. A true west coast (of Florida) IPA. Super delicious. My wife is on antibiotics right now and it really pisses her off when I squeal like a little girl after each sip cause she can't have any.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 01:58:49 | More by rufustiller

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Momar42 for the can! 12 oz can poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy golden copper color with a lot of sediment floating around. The head is a two finger white color. I love its thick texture, and how it leaves impressive lacing down the glass as it recedes.

S: Right off the bat, the nose is slammed with tons of grapefruit, mango, lychee, papaya, and guava. It's a bit catty as well, but the Simcoe hops used here give of an excellent tropical vibe. As it sits in the glass, the malt profile comes through more strongly, with notes of biscuit and caramel.

T: A moderate level of tropical fruit flavors appear on the palate initially. This is soon replaced by a midtaste and finish comprised of grapefruit peel, herbs, biscuit, and caramel maltiness. Simcoe comes across as a very 'sweet' hop to me, but these guys have done a great job extracting all the nuances out of the hops without any bitterness. I really like the hop complexity here. My only complaint is that it's a hair too sweet for me.

M: A bit on the heavy side for my tastes. Personally, I prefer a drier, lighter IPA (see: Troegs Perpetual IPA), but the wet finish manages to be lush rather than slimy. Some hop resins linger quite well without providing any bitterness. Personal preferences aside, this is how you execute the mouthfeel of a sweet IPA, plain and simple.

O: Damn this is really good. Despite all my nitpicks, I'm really loving this one. A fantastic choice for those who want an IPA without any unpleasant bitterness.

Serving type: can

01-27-2013 21:52:45 | More by ThisWangsChung

TheLostGringo

Connecticut

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

Received as an extra in a trade for some other CC stuff I had coveted.
Poured from a 12oz. can into a tulip glass.

A: Nice Copper color pour, slightly hazy, with a brilliant white sudsy head that leaves solid lacing.

S: light pine, but very strong tropical fruit smells.

T: Crisp clean IPA, hints of fruit, mild malt finish. Perfectly balanced.

M: Perfect body for the style, finishes nice and without a syrupy finish I get from some IPA's.

O: Best Regular IPA I have ever had, I good drink this over and over.

Serving type: can

01-23-2013 22:15:50 | More by TheLostGringo

draheim

Washington

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

12oz can (Happy Bday Joey canned 12/3/2012) into a tulip. Pours a hazy copper color w/ a few particles of sediment or some other crap, a nice sudsy bright white head that leaves behind some sticky clumps of lace.

Aroma is citrusy, piney, tropical. Some floral, almost perfumy notes too.

Taste is heavier, sweeter, more tropical than the nose. There's the grapefruit, but also some pineapple and mango. Earthy and fecund, fruity.

Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, soft. Coats the palate with a bitter finish.

Overall a solid, well-crafted IPA. Maybe a little malt-forward and sweet for my taste, but undeniably well made.

Serving type: can

01-23-2013 06:20:16 | More by draheim

beertunes

Washington

3.56/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Dopplebockulus for this one. Poured into 9oz Pilsener glass. Poured a lightly hazy yellow-gold color with an inch of just off-white head that had good retention and very good lacing.

The aroma was mostly piney hops, with some weed notes and a bit of citrus in the background. There was no real malt scent in the olfactory profile. On the tongue, a bit of malt did show the through the wall of hops. The pine notes dominated, the weed faded and citrus was a bit bolder.

The body was good, smooth over the tongue, with a dry and bitter finish. Drinkability was good, but as a penalty for not reading the can first, my last pour came with a huge amount of floaty yeast chunks. Ooopsie. Overall, a very nice take on the style, if this were local to me, it would be in my regular rotation for sure. A must try if you see it, and probably worth trading for to try.

Serving type: can

01-22-2013 22:38:44 | More by beertunes

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours golden-amber color with thick head that lingers well.

Smell is heavy grapefruit, lemon and pine.

Taste is bitter from the beginning. Lots of pine and grapefruit. Sweet malts in the background. Bitterness linger long on the palate

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation.

Overall this is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 00:14:08 | More by TrappistJohnMD

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.34/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the can into a pint glass, the ale was a copper color and producing a 1 inch head. Sediment was evident throughout the glass after the initial pour. The foam left lacing on the glass, demonstrating some retention. The nose was a big citrus hop aroma, an array of citrus fruit were present. In the initial taste one detects notes of ginger, grapefruit, papaya, guava, and a certain degree of earthiness. After the initial pour, the carbonation mellowed pretty quickly. This allowed the fruit to linger nicely on the tongue, giving the impression of citrus fruit skin. In the aftertaste, one detects grapefruit and pineapple continuing. A mild warming sensation lingers on the back of the throat. A very well produced American IPA with a diverse palate.

Serving type: can

01-21-2013 01:27:59 | More by JohnnyHopps

purdueflyguy

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on 16JAN13 into tulip glass
Canned 3DEC12

Pours hazy golden with about a finger of fluffy white head dissipating at average pace.

Strong citrus especially grapefruit. Lots of pine very west coast hop profile smell.

Taste very dry throughout the drink. Very bitter upfront then more grapefruit and orange. Fades to a dry pine finish.

Perfect carbonation and very full feeling IPA. Really enjoy this one.

Thanks to the bartender who gave this to me from her personal cigar city stash when I was in florida recently because she didn't like IPA's!!!

Serving type: can

01-17-2013 01:38:11 | More by purdueflyguy

Smr7626

2.15/5  rDev -48.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

Pale in color, poured fine with a good, very light colored head.

Smell was OK...seems thin, like orange or grapefruit peel ....you know how its a "thin" smell with no "body" behind it. Hops but not a robust hop smell....not very enticing. Average at best.

I was soooo disappointed in the taste and mouthfeel. Most overrated beer I have had. Tinny, no body, extremely hoppy but lacked the fullness. I don't understand the raves. Bitter hops w/ grapefruit and orange peel. Seems unbalanced and almost metallic to me. I was disappointed. I would not order this again.

Serving type: can

01-16-2013 02:03:49 | More by Smr7626

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass. Canned on what looks to be 12/1/12.

A - Pours a very appealing reddish copper with a solid finger and a half of off white head that recedes very quickly with nice lacing.

S - Big citrus. I'm getting lots of tangerine (something I really can't recall experiencing in an IPA before) and grapefruit, and man, they are playing nicely together. However, after my 2nd of the day, the HUGE tangerine is almost getting a bit tiresome.

T - Big tangerine again. I can't get over how enjoyable this is to drink. You get the solid malt backbone in the finish as it finishes clean and a little bready.

M - Mouthfeel is wonderful. So smooth and full bodied for an IPA. Seems to be relatively low carbonation.

O - This is wonderful. So easy to drink. I'm noticing the heavy tangerine could be a little off putting after a few, but nevertheless, this is really a great beer. From beginning to end. Easily one of the best single IPA's I've had.

Serving type: can

01-12-2013 23:36:38 | More by mikeburd1128

d1ckvanswype

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz can poured into a pint glass. CANNED ON DEC. 17th, 2012. Really happy I have access to cans of this, it really keeps the hops fresh.

A: Pours a hazy amber with a brief, off white head. Sticky lacing.

S: OMG so much hoppage. Big bright grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, sweet malt and a touch of weed-like dankness at the very end. Man does this smell great!

T: Tastes almost exactly like it smells, bittersweet citrus rinds smashed with tropical fruits, a hit of cereal-like malt and a sticky, resiny bitterness that makes you want to experience that first sweetness again.

M: Rather sublime, barely noticeable carbonation with how nicely sticky this beer is. It coats my tongue with a numbing stickiness I really dig.

O: Perhaps a tad too bitter, lacking in head retention. Not a trace of alcohol to be found in the nose, taste or mouthfeel, which is rather impressive for a 7.5% single IPA. All in all a really, really juicy IPA that is absolutely perfect for the oppressive humidity in Florida. SO happy I live just on the opposite coast from them, my fridge will never be without at least one can of this.

Serving type: can

01-10-2013 04:42:31 | More by d1ckvanswype

denver10

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Pours a dirty copper with a big frothy cream colored head. An aroma that is biscuity and citric, nice interplay between malt and hops. Flavor follows suit but the citric is more upfront and is both juicy and sweet and some tropical fruits are also there. A touch of bitterness in the finish. A medium to light body, nice activity. Overall, this is a great IPA and right up there with Odell's IPA, Bell's Two Hearted, Brew Kettle's White Rajah for favorites of this style.

Serving type: can

01-09-2013 21:53:21 | More by denver10

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into a Ommegang chalice glass

Appearance- A yellowish color with red highlights. 2 fingers of fluffy cloud like head that slowly dissipates and leaves some nice streaky lacing.

Smell- Tons of grapefruit and other citrus with some notes of bready malt and pine.

Taste- A strong bready backbone with punches of citrus to the tounge all the way through the finish. Also, some small amounts of pine and earthy hops towards the finish. Very nice balance.

Mouthfeel- A nice medium mouthfeel with great carbonation balance.

Overall- Not a big hop head but this is definitly top notch for an IPA. I loved the nice balance between the malt and hops which may turn off some hop heads, but makes it very tasty in my book.

Serving type: can

01-05-2013 21:11:15 | More by BrownAleMale

babaracas

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy copper, with dense white head. Settles to a thin ring, leaving a sheet of delicate lace halfway down the glass. Smell: grapefruit rind, tangerine with passion fruit and a woodsy note. Taste: sugared grapefruit, apricot, light caramel and biscuit, a little toast. Medium bodied, juicy into oily, finishing sticky and drying with a mouthful of citrusy hop flavor. Canned Dec 10th. Hadn't had one of these for quite a while, which was a mistake, because this is excellent.

Serving type: can

01-04-2013 05:24:29 | More by babaracas

Immortale25

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Dogfish signature snifter. Bottom of can says "Happy B-day Joey Canned On 3 DEC 12." I know that guy!

A- Pours a medium amber color with a full inch of head that retains slightly before making its way down to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and thick tufts of surface foam. Slippery cobwebs of lacing.

S- Hops have a peppery/citrusy hybrid thing going on that's reinforced by a sturdy malt sweetness. Notes of lemon, mango and grapefruit.

T- Bitterness clamps down at first but lets up a bit once the grainy malts make their way in, then it's right back to the hops that linger in the finish. Grassy and vegetal while also providing some citrus characteristic. This IPA is certainly dynamic in flavor. Alcohol is excellently hidden. One would probably assume this was just a single without knowing its official classification, but it's incredibly close to DIPA territory.

M- Juicy but with a sharp afterbite from the hops. Medium carbonation and a mostly standard body.

O- This beer speaks for itself. Such an awesome go-to IPA.

Serving type: can

01-02-2013 01:17:36 | More by Immortale25

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lasting, rocky head. Leaves ring lace after every sip all the way down to the end. It's hazy with a darker amber color.

Beautiful, citrusy with a bit of pine hop aroma. Very fresh smelling.

Bitter throughout the tasting, even up front. The malt is in the background--it's a little sweet and very "round" (full bodied). The bitterness is prickly and peppery. The aftertaste lasts a very long time. Overall, this may be a hop heavy IPA, but it has superb fresh flavors that go together well.

Serving type: can

12-31-2012 17:57:15 | More by smcolw

KarlosT

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Being from New England (w/ lots of great micro-brews), my brother proudly took me to Cigar City Brewing in Tampa Florida. And I must say I was very impressed with both the quality and the number of excellent craft-brews on tap. The organization is very well run, and I fully expect to find their beers in the New England region in the near future ( I can see them expanding nationally).

I started with a taster rack of Jai Alai (IPA), Resonator Double Bock, El Lector English Style Dark Ale, and the Puppy Breath Porter. All were excellent.

Jail Alai is a West Coast style IPA. Having recently home brewed something similar, I'm definitely fond of this style of beer.

Had theJai Alai in a small 4oz tasting glass.

Appearance:
translucent yellow, with whitish head.

Smell:
sublte citrus hoppy notes. guessing it was dry hopped, but not aggressively so.

Taste:
wonderful taste. Love the citrus flavor of the hops. Hoppy, but not aggressively so. Very refined IPA. What I've noticed in many IPA's is a slight metal after taste. Not so with this beer.

MF:
lighter bodied beer, appropriate for an IPA

Overall:
Excellent IPA. Put it up there with Racer 5, one of my favorites. If you like IPA's definitely try this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 12:55:24 | More by KarlosT