Jai Alai IPA - White Oak - Cigar City Brewing

scottyshades

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at BX Beer Depot's CCB Tap Takeover - looking forward to this one

Really different than Jai Alai and Cedar Jai Alai. Citrus (orange, orange marmalade) and jam flavors. Unique. Mellow and lacking bitterness. Slight herbal spice to it. Dry dry dry with an oak finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 18:58:39 | More by scottyshades

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at Cigar City, Tampa, FL

Hazy copper pour, with a small but solid cap of frothy white head that retained well and left soapy lacing on the glass. Fresh hops in the aroma, juicy citrus, woody, notes of sweet biscuity malts just barely coming through. Citrusy malts were the dominant factor in the taste, a big hit of grapefruit greeted me, lesser notes of biscuity malts, cane sugar, crisp oak and just a hint of vegetal vanilla bean. Medium body, effervescent carbonation, quite good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 02:09:29 | More by Rifugium

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at kickbacks in jax. Poured into a snifter. White head, moderate lacing on a hazy marmalade body. Soapy and oily lacing. Aroma is spicy, hoppy, fruity (citrus), maybe a touch smokey. Taste has a nice light sweetness, high bitterness, very smooth with no alcohol taste at all. Nice spicy character on taste along with a touch of vanilla. Awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 20:20:05 | More by KickbacksSteve

dtivp

West Virginia

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

Poured a cloudy orange bronze with a two finger frothy white head, good retention and moderate lacing.

Aroma of oak, malt and citrus hops.

Taste followed the nose with a nice balance between the bitter oak, hops and sweet malts along with hint of citrus.

Mouthfeel was Medium body and carbonation. Smooth, crisp and refreshing.

Enjoyed poolside in Naples, Florida, a very nice refreshing beer on a warm day by the water.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2012 01:52:20 | More by dtivp

Lare453

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap into a ccb pint glass

A golden, hazy, nice thick white head, light lacing, head dissipates at a medium pace into a nice white crown

S wow! Coconut, vanilla, sweet hops, light citrus. Amazing!

T the best thing ever! Heavy coconut, vanilla beginning and middle, almost tropical hop and citrus ending. The after taste is mellow and smooth coconut milk.

M smooth as silk. light, good carbonation, fun.

O in my top 3 ipas of all time.,, this beer is delicious, if you have the opportunity get it and get a lot of out. Highly recommended by me, not that it matters, but wow, it is great

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2012 04:20:41 | More by Lare453

shivtim

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap; 12oz pour in a tulip glass.
Clear straw colored. Translucent. Sticky white head fades.
Nose is barny hops. Slightly floral, even vague Belgian hints. Some wild yeasty hops combo.
Taste is tangy orange, hops, with slight pepper. More citrus and dry wood. Decent mouthfeel.

Pretty good IPA overall.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2011 20:52:55 | More by shivtim

olimpia84

Florida

3.73/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at CCB. Served on a pint glass.

A: dark amber/brownish color, more on the opaque side. Small fizzy head but good retention. Very good lacing decorating the glass with foamy strands.

S: strong coconut smell, oak, pineapple, also some floral hints and hops. More on the 'sweet' side.

T: herbal, hoppy, wood. The taste of the hops is disguised a bit as the beer goes down and ends with some sweet notes.

M: light to medium body, carbonation was a bit on the high side.

O: overall it was a pretty good beer and a very peculiar IPA. I wish carbonation was on the lower side. Regardless, I recommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2011 17:39:34 | More by olimpia84

Cheesemoose

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served to me in a standard Pint Glass from my local gastropub of choice, Kickbacks.

Lighting is poor. But to say that this one is on the amber side would imply that in better lighting it would better to be called a few shades lighter. Found a better light source. A deep yellow, near red. Nice clarity. A solid finger of head on the pour. Lacing is rather nice, with distinguishable lines from sip to sip.

This is not my first attempt at this beer, so each time I am greeted by the same aroma. Apricots. There is a dominant sweetness off played by the hopped up oak body that creates a pleasant and quite fruity IPA. Very nicely done. Perhaps a bit on the sweet side.

Clean and crisp is how I would describe the regular Jai Alai. This one has a bit more sticky sweetness, followed by a residual lingering after-bite that distracts from the hoppy base of the beer. The foreflavor is rather weak, though the finish is pure white oak apricot essence. Very fruity, light and semi refreshing. Suprising, yet defined. Quite pleasant.

Mouthfeel is a bit sticky from the oak resins, though it has a clean "presence" to it. I find the mouthfeel to be remiscent of a sipping belgian triple. A bit on the sweet side, but a solid hop base that provides a nice balance. This one comes off a bit on the sweet side though.

Overall, I find it to be an excellent example of taking a rather straightforward style (American IPA) and having a bit of fun. Well executed.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2011 04:09:36 | More by Cheesemoose

kylehay2004

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Crimson and copper. half finger head. Hazy.

S: Oak, vanilla and some hops in the aroma

T: lot of oak and wood flavor. More vanilla. The jai alai hops are kind of overwhelmed however

M: Moderate carbonation and medium body.

Overall: I like the beer but the oak was a little stronger than I like and I am not sure if the flavors off-set each other or cover up the hops. A little off for me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 22:52:35 | More by kylehay2004

Lefty1881

Florida

4.68/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amazing IPA here

Appearance is a nice golden, hazy color, with eggshell colored head, and light carbonation.

The smell of a big ripe fruity burst hits you immediately, with a small alcohol burn, and finishing with a big lasting pine scent. Really enjoyable

Tastes hits the front of the mouth with a ton of fruity, almost pineapple and mango taste - then bitterness hits the back of the tongue , and finally a big juicy bitter finish. Amazing. A little heat from the 7.5 alcohol, but blends perfectly with the sweet tastes - and only gets better while it warms up.

Overall - My favorite IPA by Cigar City.. Their Papaya IPA doesn't even have this immense of a fruity taste. This is right up there with Hopslam. I love it !

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 22:32:42 | More by Lefty1881

Chizoad

California

3.15/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

3rd of the Jai Alai "varietals" I've had now. I really appreciate that Cigar City experiments so much with their beers, and that they do a good job with it on top of the crazy styles.

On-tap at the brewery.

Big deep amber frothy beer. Doesn't really resemble pale ale, and certainly not the pale part of it. Still, a good looking beer.

No mistaking it, this beer smells like an oak tree. Imagine an oaky wine, and how it smells after you've emptied the glass. Make that oak smell slightly more aggressive, and that's what is in this. A little disconcerting in an APA.

The oak unfortunately totally overwhelmed the rest of the beer to the point of making it nearly undrinkable, at least until the beer warmed up and the oak chemicals had a chance to evaporate off or whatever they do. The strong malt backbone was barely there, and hops were also subdued by the majestic oak tree. Less oak = better, and made this one an interesting oddity that I'm glad I had but would never seek out again.

Edit: I just read other people's reviews, and it seems that my experience with this one was not the norm at all. Perhaps I had a different batch?

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 20:44:18 | More by Chizoad

UTCengOwl

Texas

4.68/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at CCB. Definitely my favorite thing I had there... and I was a big fan of the Humidor IPA from a previous tasting, too. Just plain interesting. Where can I get some White Oak? Served in a shaker pint glass.

The beer has a creamy, inviting foamy head that just opens my eyes and waters my mouth. Heck yes. You can tell they put a lot of effort into clean glassware here... and since I'm getting it at the brewery, I feel like I can include that in the beer's score. The body itself is a slightly hazy, standard IPA. However, the head alone merits the 4.5.

The IPA was fruity as all get go... and that's how I love my IPAs. They said it was made with a blend of hops and dry hopped with Simcoe. Every one of them added to the smell and taste. It was a veritable mixture of fruits and succulent flavors. The oak itself provides a different kind of fruit flavor. This stuff is addictive and I keep loving every extra sip. In addition to the wonderful flavor, the mouthfeel is solid, but not mindblowing. This isn't exactly a Live Oak beer or anything... but it will do the job.

CCB's experimentation provides some hits and misses, but this hits all over the place. This may be my favorite standard IPA I've had and I'd jump at the chance to have it on tap again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 18:29:27 | More by UTCengOwl

sliverX

New York

3.68/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hazy copper pint with a nice thick cap good lacing
Smells big coconut with hops in the back
Taste follows the nose but with a pronounced wood flavor, reminds me of the smell from freshly split wood the longer this goes the more woody it gets which just gets a bit unpleasant.
Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied bright carbonation
Overall not a bad beer but a pint was a bit much by the end

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2011 20:51:50 | More by sliverX

kingcrowing

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a wine glass.

Pours a hazy amber to light amber with a huge creamy off white head that's thick & pillowy. Nose is all tropical fruit, mango and others, it's sweet and fresh.

Taste is super well balanced - hoppy fresh and sweet, there a nice creamy maltiness as well. Really creamy and thick. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 18:37:40 | More by kingcrowing

amc2341

New York

4.47/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap the other day at the tasting room in Tampa. The appearance is a hazy orange color, they didn't run this through the filter like the straight Jai Alai. The smell is what initially blows you away with this beer- the white oak really combines well with the hops. It has its own way of standing out without really dominating the aroma. I find the taste of this more well-balanced than the regular Jai-Alai, as if the addition of the oak actually mellowed out some of the bitterness. The mouthfeel has some substantial body to it, but not too much to be cloying. Good carbonation. As far as drinkability, I really enjoyed my first and ordered a second right away. either the 7.5%abv is hidden fairly well, or I am just getting too used to the high abvs in IPAs...

Overall the White oak Jai Alai is a great success. I love Cigar City's MO: experiment with their beers but not to the point where they have to write a new recipe every time. To be honest, I appreciate the regular Jai Alai more after having had the White Oak.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 17:05:30 | More by amc2341

Yimosan

Florida

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Cigar City.

A - Cloudy and honey-like in color. Nice head retention and sticky lacing.

S - Citrus and pine as an IPA should smell, but there is also a nice hint of vanilla and tropical fruits.

T - Citrusy but not pungent. I think the oak aging mellows out the Jai Alai base and makes it more drinkable, IMO.

M - Beautiful carbonation and creaminess throughout the session.

D - A very smooth and easy drinking IPA. I think the oak adds a gorgeous complexity to the aroma and palate.

Definitely A Winner...move over Humidor!!

Salud!!

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2010 21:33:37 | More by Yimosan

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Marshal Zhukov RIS barrel-aged release party. I'm really intrigued by CCB's tradition of revisiting of their standard brews-this should be a treat.

Poured into a small sampler glass. Slightly murky golden-copper, with a thin but lingering head.

The nose is brilliant - a superb blend of citrus hops, oak, smokiness and a lovely tropical blend of mango and orange, possibly coconut, vanilla. Anything but your standard IPA bouquet. Love it!

Taste is also superb, probably my favorite IPA of the trip. I could really detect the standard Jai Alai foundation (citrus and earthy hops, malt, caramel), but the addition of the oak wood brought about an excellent woodsy, fruity character that brought out the best in the basic recipe.

Medium bodied for an IPA, easy drinking carbonation.

Were I able to stay longer, I would have had several of these on draft. Just a great blending of flavors. Definitely restores my faith in the evolution of the American IPA! (Shame I can't bring some home with me!)

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 03:47:16 | More by JohnnyBarman

Gtreid

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass at CCB on the Double Barrel MZ release.

A: Hazy, copper, orange color, pretty much just like the other Jai Alai's. A big quarter of off white head shows up and then leaves great lace.

A: Man, where do I start? Coconut, macadamin nuts, grapefruit, orange, vanilla, and yes the oak. This has got to be, hands down, the most complex nose on an Ipa I have had to date.

T: Taste is just as good as the nose. The sweet coconut, vanilla, and islandy nutty flavor is balanced so well with the base Jai Alai. The caramel malt and big citrus hops play perfectly together. And the white oak gives is a dry, woodsy finish that is just sublime.

M: Great carbonation, medium body. Just fantastic.

D and overall impression: Drinkability for an IPA that is so complex is really quite nice. Overall, this is the best IPA CCB has done to date, and maybe the best IPA I have ever had. Skal.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2010 17:09:50 | More by Gtreid

tpd975

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Brass Tap.

A: Pours a nice copper orange with a tall off white head. Nice retention and lace.

S: Nice sweet malt aroma with loads of citrus and pine. The oak is there for sure, smells fresh cut.

T: Oak, oak, and more oak. Damn this beer is woody. That being said it is not the spent oak that you usually see in beer. This is fresh and sappy oak. The base Jai Alai stands strong in the background, but the oak rules this one.

M: Medium in body, smooth, sweet, and woody.

D: Not the most drinkable to be honest, but it is one of the better pints I have had in awhile.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2010 19:23:32 | More by tpd975

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.36/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Smith pint. Pours out a hazed golden orang. The head starts at about a half inch, not much lace retention.

Cumquat and oak rock the start of the smell, adds a very interesting twist to this IPA. Also notice caramel and orange.

Orange, fresh cut oak, caramel and grass start this one off well. A bit of vanilla and lemon rind around the middle. Spicy sappy wood at the finish. Very smooth, moderate body. Goes down very well.

I'm enjoying these Cigar City brews quite a bit. I preferred this to my four month old can of Jai Alai. When I finally make it back to FL, this brewery will be on my must visit list!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:20:52 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

Powderhornphil

Minnesota

3.91/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours deep orange. It was pretty clear until the last of the bottle was poured, then lots of sediment clouded my glass. Kind of wish I left the last bit in the bottle.

Smells very woody almost like a freshly cut piece of timber, I am also getting subdued hops and honey sweetness.

Tastes of waxy honey comb, vanilla tannins, slight mango. An interesting combo of flavors for sure, but I find my self missing the fresh tropical and guava notes on the original.

Medium mouthfeel and carb.

Overall, not as fruity and tropical as the regular Jai Alai which as it turns out I prefer to this. An enjoyable offering from CCB, but would not got to great lengths to seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:14:30 | More by Powderhornphil

suntrinesun

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A really good beer. Pretty heady, perhaps too much, but quite tasty. The website reads "The white oak adds smoothing notes of vanilla and slight hints of dill to the aroma and flavor profile." I couldn't quite get the dill (probably b/c of an underdeveloped palette) but the oakiness and vanilla flavor very much came through. Definitely a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 19:23:44 | More by suntrinesun

Hamburgers

California

4.44/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours dark amber with a lot of little floaties. One finger white head with nice lacing. Super juicy nose of mango, peaches and other tropical fruit. Seriously though, you will never find a nose like this on another IPA. Amazing! Flavor is equally amazing. Notes of mango, oak and like the description says a hint of dill in the finish. Medium body with light carbonation. Slightly bitter finish. One of a kind.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 07:10:54 | More by Hamburgers

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.34/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- pours a dark copper color with a one-finger foamy white head. Sediment and floaties all over the place make it look quite viscous. A bit if dark sediment from the end if the bottle permanently floats on the head. Not the most appealing to look at.

S- huge fresh oaky notes with some vanilla, lots of tropical mango & pineapple, sweet caramel on the finish. Very complex nose.

T- this version is much maltier than the original and the oak adds a whole new dimension of flavor. Woodsy oak notes up front with a touch of vanilla, the tropical fruit notes are actually more noticeable as the regular version. Notes of mango, pineapple and papaya. The finish is slightly tart with just a bit if citrus hop and a long oaky linger.

M- medium body with a super foamy mouthfeel and moderate carbonation, smooth finish with just a trace of alcohol.

O- unlike any IPA I've had, and I like it. I'm a big fan of barrel aging and it really brought out the fruity tropical notes in the flavor, perhaps the most authentic mango flavor I've experienced. I wish I could get this regularly.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:53:06 | More by Treyliff

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

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

12oz Bottle from Rollin Oats Market Tampa FL for 3$

Appearance - Hazy copper with an average size fizzy off-white coloured head. It's too hazy to make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some great lacing. The head lasted for around 3 minutes.

Smell - Hops, malts, caramel/butterscotch, pineapple

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste caramel/butterscotch, malts, and hops. There is also some grapefruit and some pineapple mixed with a hint of vanilla and oak. It ends with a malty sweet and slight bitter aftertaste.

Overall – Couldn't find a date on my bottle, but it didn't have as much of an Oak aspect as I was expecting. Still a very good beer that has a lot of interesting flavours going on. I tried their Cedar aged version as well, and the wood was very prominent with that one.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 17:17:01 | More by spinrsx