Jai Alai IPA - Cedar Aged (Humidor Series) - Cigar City Brewing

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml poured into hill farmstead glass.

A - honey body with nice fluffy white head. good two finger head with ok retention and superb lacing.

S - strong notes of cedar grapefruit orange peel.

T - orange peel into cedar which comes with a big hop resin/oil bite. finishes off with orange peel and a bit of grapefruit in the back. not bad but slightly too much cedar in the taste for my liking. still very well put together.

M - medium bodied medium to low carbonation. strong booziness to this and puckering and numbing from the cedar/hop presence.

O - a very interesting beer. smells and looks great. if they toned down the cedar taste this would be a favorite of mine for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 23:50:26 | More by celticfutblclub

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a tall tulip

A: Poirs a hazy orange color with two fingers of dense white head.

S: Strong cedar dominates the aroma of this beer. I get a bit of citrus hops behind it and a hint of caramel sweetness.

T: Again, cedar is quite strong in the flavor. I do get some citrusy hops with a hint of tropical fruits. Bitterness is strong, particularly with an added bitterness from the cedar. A nice caramel sweetness helps balance, but this beer never becomes remotely sweet.

M: A bit on the thin side with a nice, strong carbonation.

O: Cedar is a bit strong in this one. I enjoy it, but wish there were a bit more hops coming through. The sweetness, bitterness, and hop flavor seem nice, I just wish they would stick out a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 01:28:49 | More by coreyfmcdonald

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750ml into tulip. Thanks to TheSevenDuffs.

A- Cloudy burnt orange/peach colored pour. Two finger eggshell head that quickly disappears leaving a thin cap. Lacing is spotty.

S- Very first thing is the cedar. Humidor, ceder chest or even those cedar pucks people put in their sock drawer. Floral hops with a sweet citrus note fall short. As per Marcus this isn't a very fresh bottle.

T- Floral hop bite with aromatic cedar following close behind. There is a sweet malt and juicy citrus before the cedar comes back and dries your mouth out.

M- Medium bodied, juicy up front long dry finish.

O- Cedar while wonderful to smell isnt my first thought for a wood aged beer. It's different to say the least. Not for the good or bad. Just different.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 01:11:36 | More by korguy123

kevanb

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It pours a really nice nectarine amber color with a nice thick foamy head that glues to the glass. Cedar is big on the nose, hints of smoke with hints of citrus but a backbone of resinous pine, like the name, it smells like a humidor, really feels like a fine cigar is in my immediate area. The flavors are really unique, cedar is a very underutilized wood, but packs a great flavor. Cedar leads the way, but isn’t bold or overly aggressive, nice and soft that blends really well with the resinous pine and bitter hop flavors. The finish has soft citrus and faint biscuit that wrap up a very complex beer. It has a nice smooth medium body, not to thin not overly thick, a little astringent at the finish from the alcohol which at 7.5% could have been hidden a bit better.

Verdict: This was a really intriguing take on the IPA, I thought the cedar really gave it something special, but the alcohol astringency was a bit of a turn off, but this is a fine brew worth looking out for.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 05:25:06 | More by kevanb

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Re-review November 14th 2011

Pours a deep slightly hazed copper orange with a full off white head with medium to large bubbles. The nose has a fair bit of lemon and orange peel with a slight phenolic twang behind a strong sweet sugary malt. The cedar may be playing in there blending with the citric flavors. The flavor is very similar, still a slightly off twang, lots of sweet malts and overly sugary, strong citric orange peel and lemon, touch of sweet wood with some tinges of booze and and strong hop bitterness. The feel is full bodied and a touch creamy mixed with grainy. Light carbonation and a bit of a muddled semi dry finish.

***
Huge extra from HeyOhh, amazing trader!

A-pours a hazy orange amber color with bubbles running up the side of the glass. The head is two or three full fingers of a slightly off white head that is fulffy and creamy. The retention is huge as it doesn't want to leave at all. The lace is thick and velvety covering the whole glass without let up.

S-the nose is quite big with cedar right up front and hints of vanilla underneath. Hops lie behind and have a solid presence. Herbal and floral hops are strongest with touches of pine needles

T-the taste follows the nose only bigger. The woody cedar is right up front with just a touch of vanilla. Hops take over with a strong herbal tea like presence, hints of floral hops with some tangerine in the back. Fresh pine needles in the finish as he bittering is light but present as well

M-medium body with a lightly syrupy texture and somewhat sandy on the palate. The carbontion is strong with a crisp bite at the finish.

D-this is a great IPA, the cedar has enhanced the piney hops and makes it taste so fresh. Nice hop presence with a light bittering so you can really enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 23:06:28 | More by cpetrone84

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle purchased from Lueken's Liquors on-line. Date on label was JUN2012. It appears that this is well past its prime which is disappointing.

A -Poured a cloudy medium orange/amber colour with two fingers of bubbly white head with some great lacing.

S - Cigar smoke up front - the Spanish cedar really comes through. Sweet caramel and a light citrus aroma round out the nose. The hops are barely noticeable.

T - Follows the nose. The Spanish cedar really shines, creating a cigar-smoke like palate that is definitely the predominant flavour. The hop presence is barely noticeable, likely the result of this bottle not being very fresh. Sweet caramel malts and some muted pine notes round our the palate. Somewhat one dimensional.

M - Medium body with a good chew. Light carbonation.

O - Past its prime and one dimensional but interesting nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 02:26:52 | More by TheSevenDuffs

jcartamdg

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a a dark golden color with a two finger head that might not ever dissipate. Aroma of hops and cedar with cedar being the main event. Taste reminds me of the great cigar bars in Tampa and st Pete. Hops, malts and cedar work well together with no overkill. This beer is so unique, I love something new!

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 04:19:07 | More by jcartamdg

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A caramel golden color. Nice 1 finger head and sticky lace all over the glass.

S - Piny hops and cedar. Wow, excellent...

T - Cedar and pine hops. Grapefruit galore. Sweet.

M - Medium bodied and well carbonated.

O - A very good IPA. Cedar adds a great touch, but is not overwhelming. An excellent version of the Jai Alai

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 00:50:13 | More by BeerDawgs

marvin213

North Carolina

2.4/5  rDev -41%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A murky brown pour contrasts with a vibrant white foam. Legs cling a little to the glass sides. The nose is a woody bittering hop. I'm not really good at distinguishing hops, but smell seems Saez or Czech, or Hallertau, or maybe even Willamette. Are these even accurate? Point is, the hops I do smell really aren't like the delicious Simcoe or Cascade or Centennial that I was expecting...and certainly no Citra. I detect only like bitterness hops, and that's a tad disappointing.

It tastes better than it smells, but not as good as it looks--not as good as the cool-looking bottle and label suggest, and definitely far short of the hoopla I've encountered surrounding CC Brewery. I'll try not to let my let-down overly contaminate my review here, but this beer is not that impressive. It's not that it's too malty; it's that the hops/ingredients seem inferior! [Edit: maybe it's the cedar?!?!?]. I think beers in big bottles--particularly 750s--should taste better than their 12oz peers. Though I bought both at the same time and place, this is my second such beer. For me, it's the hops in this IPA that just aren't that good.

The feel is also lacking. Though bittering hops seem to dominate, there is no enamel-ripping or cool-like bittering feel. It's beers like this that make me wonder if my palate is suffering! :-0 It's also dark-ass pale ales like this that remind me that I hate Irish reds. This is what the beer most reminds me of. It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but oh how I want a Hopslam....

Edit: after reading other reviews, maybe it's the cedar wood that I found overwhelming and off-putting. For me, it totally masked any citrus or grapefruit (interestingly, the wifey picked up some grapefruit...but she likes the wood more than me ;-). As for a comparison to Burton Baton, I guess I've concluded I like oak better than cedar.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 21:42:26 | More by marvin213

Marty30

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to sergfl for this one. 750ml poured into a Duvel tulip at fridge temp. Bottle dated June 14.

A. Nice golden orange body,with a thick two finger offwhite fluffy head. Lacing stuck all over.

S. Tons of cedar, it is the dominant smell. I get some faint piney hops along with a little peach.

T. Upfront I get the cedar, just like the nose. I think it works well with the piney hops. Not getting to much more.

M. Good creamy,smooth medium feel,with perfect carbonation. Bitter,dry finish.

Overall this is a solid beer that benifits from the cedar. It really balences it out. Well done. Makes it very interesting and differant.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 00:47:37 | More by Marty30

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cigar City Cedar Aged IPA, Humidor Series. Bottle bought at Whole Foods in NYC for $9.95. Bottle says only "H" and "Humidor Series", but no mention of Jai Alai, so it took me a bit to find the proper entry here.

Appearance: Again, as with Marshall, carbonation issues. Pops loudly, spills, huge head. What gives, CCB?? Three fingers of lily-white head that lasts and leaves major lacing. Color is a hazy copper, like a dirty saison.

Smell: The nose is truly exceptional, whether you like it or not. There's nothing like it! The cedar is strong, fragrant, aromatic. Reminds me of walking through a pine forest or a prairie full of lavender and other herbs. Pine needles, citrus, dry sweetness... a whole word of aromas.

Taste: More of the same, with that cedar ever present, but not as exciting as the nose. Spice, pine, tropical fruit. Candied orange, chewing gum. A tad of wood, but not quite like other aged IPA's (Burton Baton, for example).

Mouthfeel: Persistent, dry and spicy at the end. Sort of creamy, definitely well-rounded and full-bodied despite a somewhat lacking carbonation (surprising considering the initial issues).

Overall: Quite a unique beer that I'm sure has got as many fans as it has detractors. I was surprised at first, then warmed up to it and enjoyed. The aroma is fantastic, and the cedar works well with the IPA base. At $10 per bomber, though, not sure I will go back to it... Marshall is my fav!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 02:42:56 | More by DoubleSimcoe

bebbcorp

Kansas

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750 into a belgian beer goblet. Beer pours a delightful tan with one finger head which recedes into a patchy lace. Smells of cedar, caramel, and aged hops. Tastes of cedar almost like an old cedar chest that is warm and inviting. Followed by caramel and almost the slightest touch of a cigar. Later after the pour I enjoyed this beer with a mellow cigar and the two paired perfectly. The mouthfeel is good, nicely carbonated and a bit drying at the finish which comes to be very enjoyable and has me anticipating it in every sip. Overall I like this beer and find it to be a comforting, sit down and relax brew. As I have only had oak aged ipa's before this, and this beer is right up my alley. Many who enjoy wood aged ipa's will enjoy this beer quite a bit. First I've had of cigar city's beers and it is a winner.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 02:08:07 | More by bebbcorp

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL bottle into a pint glass. FINALLY, I get to drink this from a bottle. I had this on tap during a Cigar City event at Capone's during Philly Beer Week, but wasn't reviewing at the time. The first bottle I got in trade, I busted. :( So alas, I finally get to do this.

Beer pours a very murky golden-orange. Nearly opaque, which is odd for a beer that's not black (stout, etc). The head on this is voluminous, especially when pouring down the center. Very thick and creamy. Resembles the top of a rootbeer float. Head has serious staying power and provides copious amounts of lacing as it receded down the glass. The nose is heavy on the cedar. Not surprising considering it's the big draw. Usually I notice notice any maltiness in an IPA on the back end of a sip, and in the aftertaste. However, it's right in your face in the nose of this beer. The taste is a wonderful combination of hoppiness, cedar, and that maltiness I spoke of. I would prefer a little more hope and cedar, and a bit less maltiness, however. The mouthfeel is a bit smoky, with a good bit of bitterness. The malty overtones of this beer persist from the nose, straight through to the finish. Overall, this is a fabulous twist to the stock Jai Alai. Each taste is a sip of beer and a draw from a cigar at the same time. Nice treat. Glad I have 2 more in the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 23:40:24 | More by Retail1LO

hmf05

Florida

4.78/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy orange with a one finger head. Not quite opaque and I do not see any chunks of yeast. I smell cedar first and foremost followed by grapefruit and mango. Incredible aroma. The taste is perfect. The cedar hits first and then morphs into a nice grapefruit and mango combo that leaves a semi-dry finish. The mouthfeel is like silk. The carbonation is light to medium. Drinkability is OK, but I can finish the bottle myself due to how good this beer really is. Overall, the most complex IPA I have had to date. This is definitely not for everyone, but it is definitely a must try for any IPA fan. Very unique and finally an extreme beer that Sam hasn't thought of. A must try!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 18:03:48 | More by hmf05

jmarsh123

Indiana

1.45/5  rDev -64.4%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Split the 750 with a buddy.

Pours a red tinged orange with a massive 2 finger head leaving great lacing down the glass.

Smells very sweet with overpowering cedar and tobacco.

Starts off with a little hop kick. Fades into a sweet malt. Taste is like I'm chewing on a plank of cedar. There is no subtleness at all to this. Cedar and tobacco overpower everything and it's a disgusting mess.
As my friend put it, "It's like they made a normal beer and dumped half a Cuban in it."

Mouthfeel is a bit sticky with medium carbonation. The thickness I would enjoy more in a barleywine, not an IPA.

Really wanted to like this one, but we both found it undrinkable and down the drain it went. Very unpleasant aftertaste. Quite possibly the worst beer I've ever consumed.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 23:37:44 | More by jmarsh123

HoosierInOhio

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to a buddy in FL for trading this and some others for some FFF's I had. My 1st ever Cigar City offering.

A - Hazy Orange to tan, 1 inch creamy head. Nice Lacing, good retention

S - Lots going on. Earthy, malts, some wood scents, grapefruit caramel/toffee, nothing really outdoing the other. Really nice aromas

T - Hops, balanced nicely with malts, some sweetness going on (Vanilla?), finishes crips, lingers a bit, but not too long

M - Pretty good, a touch dry but not bad.

O - Solid brew, would much like to try some other Jai Alai offerings.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 01:33:07 | More by HoosierInOhio

brystmar

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Shared 4 ways at a home tasting tonight.

A: golden/amber with plenty of thick, white head. Decent retention, solid lace.

S: sweet grapefruit, cedar barrels, malts, hops, a touch earthy too.

T: definitely shares many similarities with normal Jai Alai. Hoppy with pine, sweet malt, and fruity grapefruits. Notes of cedar mix with the booze as it descends. Pretty good balance of flavors for a single IPA.

M: medium-bodied & creamy. Feels under-carbonated, but no complaints here!

D: I'm not an IPA person (and I particularly dislike single IPAs), but I would happily split this bottle 2 ways next time instead of 4.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 02:39:49 | More by brystmar

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a Cigar City snifter. Bottle generously provided as an extra by thagr81us, thanks Calton!

A - Pours a dark goldenrod color with flecks of amber within the deepest parts. About a finger's worth of cream-colored head with pretty good retention and a thick cap after it's gone. Lacing is nice as well, with long, cascading curtains of foam surrounding the glass.

S - The nose is rich and complex, bringing in deep aromas of the underlying IPA mixed with wood. You can almost smell the juiciness of the citrus, grapefruit, and pine from the hops, and the cedar serves as a way to balance that by adding a big dose of vanilla and a sawdust smell that is like sticking your head into a cedar chest. The malts are no strangers as well, contributing a nice caramel aroma.

T - The depth of this beer continues well into the flavor. At first, it seems rather malty, with a bold caramel sweetness and a slight toffee flavor. The wood definitely serves as the bridge between the malts and hops, with an aggressive cedar taste that is almost like sucking on a stave, but then the vanilla returns to help cut that. As in the nose, the finish is all hops, from the ripe citrus notes to the bitter finish.

M - Mouthfeel is moderately heavy-bodied with good carbonation. A bit syrupy at times, but the carbonation helps alleviate this a bit. Finish is long and bitter.

D/O - Drinkability is moderately high. Up to this point, Dogfish Head's Burton Baton has set the bar for me in terms of wood-aged IPAs, but this definitely makes it close. I would say this beer is a bit more complex than Burton, but is more bitter and the amount of cedar is like getting a face-full for sawdust, which isn't necessarily bad. I haven't had Burton in too long, but I faintly remember it being a bit more smooth. This is still a great beer though, and definitely in the top tier for it's style.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 04:50:41 | More by nhindian

flannelman808

California

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Medium orange/brown topped with a decently pronounced off white head which has good lacing.

Cedar wood, orange blossom, orange zest and a suggestion of caramel.

Cedar wood is present on the tongue and quite interesting. The wood adds a welcomed astringency which goes well with the bitter citrus flavors. The nose leads into the flavor of this directly, orange peel and orange blossom meet with a milky subtle caramel. There is a nice bitterness to sweet ratio and the flavors are nice and harmonious.

Pretty sticky for the style but not in a bad way (read as solidly medium body)

good stuff, the cedar is a new flavor for me in the style and I think it works quite well.I would note that there is a slightly odd funky note (infection?) which I have to say I don't dislike. All and all this is an interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 19:45:28 | More by flannelman808

Idodgepucks

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured from a growler into a beer mug. The color on this beer was a real nice amber, with very little head. I made two pours from this bottle though and on my second pour there was about a finger of head so I think it had more to do with my pour than the carbonation.

N - Real nice nice, not too overwhelming, but solid nose with your typical IPA notes.

T - Loved the malt/hoppy taste on this beer. Has a natural, earthy taste to it. It leaves a real nice feel that makes you want to take another swig.

O - Excellent IPA in my opinion. Doesn't have as much typical bitterness as you might expect from the American IPA's, but definitely feels more like what IPA's were originally meant to taste like.

Serving type: growler

09-09-2011 01:04:25 | More by Idodgepucks

lackenhauser

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Usual orange to copper color with a white foamy head going on. Holy grandma's cedar chest-huge cedar aroma!!!! A great, almost "tangy" wood scent. Really well rounded aroma wise-enough of a hop backround going on as well. Solid malt and hops flavor with a very pronounced cedar taste. Lingering dryness I am assuming from the cedar. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel, again a lot of dryness in the finish. Very drinkable and enjoyable-the cedar may get to be too much in the long run but that could tend to be a personal preference. Nice twist on wood aged for sure. I would think you would want this as fresh as possible too.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 01:12:56 | More by lackenhauser

fields336

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

32 oz growler, from CCB draft room.
Poured into SN Snifter

A: 2 fingers creamy off white carbonated head, tight bubbles, leaves nice lacing on the sides of the glass. Appearance is similar to normal jai alai, ambery orange color, some nice bubbles on the bottom of the glass. Head stays around for a while, looks really really nice

S: Mango, Citrus, Pine, with a slight caramel and a full bodied bready malt smell emanate from the glass. slight alcohol is present. some slight woody, earthy notes are present.

T: Really sweet and malty upfront like honey, then a wave of delicious piney, citrusy, mangoey, pineappley hops comes crashing through. Finish is really really nice, nice and dry with a lingering sweet, earthy, vanilla-y wood taste from the cedar. Wow. there is a slight burn from the alcohol but it's well masked.

M: Full bodied, this one is a sipper but it is nice. The carbonation lingers and tickles your tastebuds. not too heavy, but on the heavy side for an IPA.

O: despite its (miiniscule) flaws, this is an amazing beer, you really can't ask for much more. Everyone praises DFH for experimentation but look no further for the king, than in florida at CCB, for their Firkin's and wood aged beers are some of the most flavorful, fun, and awesome beers I've ever tasted

Serving type: growler

09-01-2011 22:39:49 | More by fields336

Phelps

Arizona

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle sent by McDiddyPop , poured into a tulip.

Vermilion in color, hazed to near-opacity and topped with a dense head of cream-colored bubbles. The frothy cap descends quickly, but leaves behind wooly walls of lace as it does.

Good stuff. The juice of overripe oranges, honey, apple juice and a bit more citrus mixed, of course, with cedar. The wood is sooty, almost like tobacco smoke.

Nicely malty, with caramel offsetting the orange and grapefruit peel. The cedar here is more subdued and better blended with the hops, again lending flavors of smoked tobacco and smooth ash.

Gentle, massaging carbonation in a soft medium-light body. Some alcohol fumes come through the nose, but overall the booze blends well with the flavors.

I’m a fan of originality, and this beer is nothing if not original. A decent IPA made more alluring by Spanish cedar.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 06:04:56 | More by Phelps

laituegonflable

Australia

3.23/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a red-tinged deep amber colour with lovely beige head that webs out into sparse patterns, retaining a great crown of small but visible bubbles. Bit of cloud in the body. Looks great.

Smell is very funky and spicy. Not a huge whiff of rank though, rather there's some fresh floral notes on there but largely an earthy blend of aniseed, lavender and a touch of chicken batter. Intriguing, could really be more complex, it's all a bit one-note.

Taste is quite dour; gravelly and spicy with a mostly earthy palate. Starts bitter with soil notes, gets some organic spice midway with steamed bok choy, fennel and black pepper. Slight fruity bitterness on the back reminiscent of late-addition hops, but not a lot. The cedar just subjugates the palate and it's quite astringent and unpleasantly spicy. It really needs toning down, I can't say I'm a big fan.

Not bad feel, goes down quite smooth but a bit empty as it goes through the mouth.

Not an everyday drinker; it's too bold and yet doesn't clean itself up by the end of the palate.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 04:21:38 | More by laituegonflable

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cheers to Goblinmunkey7 for half of this beer

Review adapted from notes taken 6/4/11

Appearance: A robust, golden orange - nice lacing, head is kind of fluffy, kind of creamy

Smell: Absolutely REEKS of cedar - this smell reminds me of a chest that my parents use to store sweaters, and the result is complete olfactory confusion - after much contemplation, I have decided that I love this - aside from the cedar, the aroma has some nice pale, biscuity malts and some tropical fruits - some citrus, some pine

Taste: Really interesting, but really not that mind-blowing - nicely balanced hops and malts - sweet, biscuity but mostly pale malts - hops are the typical Jai Alai affair, juicy and tropical - a lot of grapefruit, sweet and bitter - the cedar works really well with this, adding what seems like additional bitterness and a tangy/tart hint

Mouthfeel: Medium body, very smooth, nicely carbonated

Overall: So weird, but so good

There are so many permutations of Jai Alai that keeping track is a challenge. This is the best one I've had thus far. At first the smell made me think that I shouldn't consume this liquid, but after I got over that, it was quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 18:09:00 | More by angrybabboon