Jai Alai IPA - White Oak - Cigar City Brewing

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.24/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

L - murky orange/copper color with a thin off-white head that settled to a ring.

S - vanilla, wood and citrus rind.

T - woody taste upfront with vanilla extract and then some citrus rind bitterness with a sawdust dryness on the finish.

F - medium bodied with gentle carbonation.

O - a little too much with the oak for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 22:48:03 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a murky orange with 2 fingers of bright white head (leaving behind tons of lacing). smells of citrusy grapefruit, vanilla, a smell of tangerine/mango.. very tropical.. definitely loving the way this smells. the flavor is a malty, citrusy (again tangerine/mango with slight grapefruit) oak bomb. working at a wood shop for many years can make you either love or hate the smell of certain woods. this is a very nice flavor, which surprises me because this was one of the worst smelling woods we worked with (due to it burning so quickly when cutting it since it's such a hard wood). a lovely flavor profile, and honestly nothing like jai alai. a medium body with low carbonation, very nice and sticky on the lips.

a complete different beast than jai alai. it's nice to JUST have an oak flavor in a beer, instead of bourbon barrel oak. i've worked with wood for many years, as a carpenter, in a shop, and in construction.. a nasty splintery wood to work with and smells terrible once it starts burning on the blade.. but here, here it works nicely.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 02:43:58 | More by facundoCNB

tectactoe

Michigan

3.61/5  rDev -14%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Review #300. Seeing as how much the original Jai Alai took me by surprise, I was pretty stoked to try this one. Pours the color of copper pennies (as if there were other kinds of pennies) with a hazy, light-brown colored center. The eggshell-beige head lasts for a substantial amount of time and leaves some nice lacing along the glass. Aroma has a HUGE oak profile; woody, wet, dense, tiny hints of vanilla and tannin. I am actually picking up a whiskey aroma, much akin to Jack Daniels, possibly due to the heavy white oak. Some hop aromas are present; mild citrus, orange, pineapple - unfortunately pushed to the background by the heavy oak. I mean, I know it's a "white oak aged" beer, but it's almost a little TOO much.

The taste falls right in line, heavy white oak, whiskey, touches of vanilla, wet cardboard, and some light spice. The citrus from the hop is there in flavor, but certainly not in bitterness - but what do you expect from an aged IPA? Citrus peel, orange zest, pineapple, mango - the fruit jubilee is extremely mellow compared to the original Jai Alai, which was one of the things that made me so crazy about the original. This is partially due to the fact that the IPA has been aged and the hops therefore will lose some of their "oomph", but it's also not helping that the white oak is a little too overshadowing. It still has that bright and sweet flavor, and the malts add a little bit of bready sweetness, but overall it's pretty dull compared to the original. Medium bodied, carbonation is medium, a touch slick on the palate.

Not a bad beer - definitely interesting and unlink anything else, but honestly I'm kind of disappointed and was let down just a bit. Maybe it's because I was so emphatic about the original Jai Alai and I was expecting too much. The white oak would be a nice addition if it were toned down just a bit, but it's a little too strong, distracting from most of the other flavors in the beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 03:58:40 | More by tectactoe

BlackBearForge

Florida

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

White oak Aged Jai Alai pours a slightly cloudy tangerine amber with a smallish white head falling rather quickly and leaving a slippery film with light froth as lacing.

The aroma is one of the more distinctive beer scents I've run across. Strong citrus hop scents are nearly muted by a heavy woody and herbal scent from the white oak. If I hadn't read the description first I would have had a time running down the fresh herb scent and damned if it isn't fresh chopped dill along with a background of vanilla and freshly baked bread. Pretty amazing aroma actually.

Wow, this is Jai Alai Plus, fresh juicy citrussy hops as expected from Jai Alai and the Plus is the flavor added by the aging on white oak, an astringent woody flavor with the prevalent note of vanilla and a hint of tobacco. The fresh bready malts back up the hops and woody tones while the astringency lends an extra touch of dryness on the decidedly bitter finish. The white oak noted are among the strongest I've run across before and could easily be overpowering but I think a tight-rope act of balancing was achieved here by the brewers at Cigar City.

The mouthfeel is smooth and firm but manages to stay on the lighter side of medium in heaviness. Carbonation is moderate and lightly biting on the tongue.

A very pleasant and enjoyable take on Jai Alai that I enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:04:54 | More by BlackBearForge

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.49/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip. Thanks RayUF07 for hooking me up with a few of these bad boys.

A- Pours a murky, hazy dirt-brown body with a 2" white head that reduces to an uneven white ring and leaves some leggy lacing.

S- The aroma is very upfront, consisting of a sweet vanilla-bourbon aroma. Somewhat musty and woody, with some citrus rind in the background. Quite inviting.

T- Woody bourbon, vanilla and caramel notes that nearly overpower the IPA character of this beer (I said nearly). Unlike most IPAs, the hop presence of this beer is not intense. I'd call it a pale ale. Usually I'd complain about this, but the white oak really added character and worked together with the hoppy grapefruit and pine pines notes to create some nice balance.

M- Light in body, medium carbonation. Drinkable.

I've also tried regular Jai-Alia and I'd say that the addition of white oak really did it well. Oak-aged IPAs are very uncommon and are a style that IMO should be experimented with by other breweries. If they could pull off what cigar city did with this brew, they could create some real masterpieces.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:09:56 | More by gcamparone

hornsup

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Sweetwater pint glass

A: Pours an orange amber color but on the lighter side with a half finger head than leaves a thin head after only a few seconds.

S:Smells like a pina colada? yea...very tropical fruit flavors, vanilla, light off coconut, citrus..interesting

T: this blew me away....nothing like any IPA I have ever had. The oak hits you hard first then it transitions into a smooth smooth vanilla flavor and finishes with a little bitterness..bonus is the burp gives you a little pine.

M: creamy, medium bodied, just feels right

O: This is a great rendition on an IPA. The vanilla white oak really compliments the hops and bitterness well, its not something you would session all night to me only because it is slightly sweet on the tongue but damn is it good. CCB never ceases to amaze me

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 06:13:18 | More by hornsup

beertunes

Washington

3.24/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Thanks to BA Dopplebockukus for this one. Poured into 9oz pilsener glass. Poured a clean, clear golden amber color with under a half-inch of just off-white head that had low retention and moderate lacing.

The aroma was solidly oak. Dominatingly so. Some mild citrus hops showed through, but no malt. On the tongue, the beer was even more woody. This must be what Labrador Retrievers taste on their tongues during a vigorous session of fetch. There was just a bit of malt in the flavors, some citrus hops at the back of the tongue, but a whole lumber yard of Oak all across the tastebuds.

The body was fairly typical for the style, but did have a nicely dry finish. Drinkability suffered from the overt timber flavor, I had a hard time finishing one 12oz bottle (my tongue got bored), and I couldn't see having multiples at a time. Overall, an interesting beer, one that's probably worth a shot if you're interested, but I'd like to see the wood dialed back a bit.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:12:00 | More by beertunes

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-hazy light golden amber color with a big off-white head and good lacing

S-tropical fruit, citrus, vanilla, oak, very fragrant

T-citrus, pine, tropical fruit, vanilla, oak, softened bitter hop finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, creamy and smooth

O-really interesting variation of a solid IPA, complex flavor profile

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 18:09:27 | More by MDDMD

chinchill

South Carolina

3.44/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

2012 bottle served in a pint glass.
The aroma is dominated by fruity hops, with notes of tangerine and orange, as well as oak. The oak becomes even more prominent in the flavor. Too much oak IMO. At least the oak aging has the benefit of creating a very smooth feel in this medium-bodied IPA. Moderately bitter but has an overly earthy/woody aftertaste.

O: quite woody IPA. I much prefer the regular Jai Alai.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:56:58 | More by chinchill

GameFreac

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the brewery and loved it so I got a 4 pack.

Appearance: Pours a murky orange color with floaties.

Smell: Smells of hops citrus and oak.

Taste - Tastes like the regular Jai Alai with an oaky twang - hard to describe but a very nice flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel.

Overall: Overall, really good. One of the best and most interesting IPAs I've ever had.

EDIT: After my 4th bottle, this is in my top 5 IPAs. Absolutely delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 06:06:45 | More by GameFreac

WesM63

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tulip. Many thanks to dachshundude86 for this one.

A: Pours a dark hazy amber with a 1finger head that quickly dissipates to a thin film. Plenty of lacing is present.

S: Oak, Toffee, Vanilla, a hint of resin/pine a hint of tropical fruit lingers as well.

T: Very close to the nose. Lots of Oak, toffee, vanilla some pine and hint of grapefruit.

M: Medium body and carbonation. Finish's dry and slightly watery.

O: Not sure what to make of it. Lots of oak but minimal citrus /IPA. Worth a tick non the less.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 22:15:01 | More by WesM63

Duff27

Illinois

3.91/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Half inch off white head on a small sediment filled light ruby red body. Great lacing and head retention.

Earthy hops, wood.

Well balanced hops and malt profile. Does have a oaky essence to it. Wouldn't peg this at 7.5%abv as it drinks smaller than that.

Medium mouthfeel, lower end of carbonation for an ipa.

A good not great ipa. Unique with drinkability. Oak adds another layer onto an already above average ipa. Thanks egrace84.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:39:10 | More by Duff27

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Ommegang chalice glass

Appearance- A murky reddish yellow with lots of carbonation and yeast particles floating. There was a finger or so of off white head that dissipates about half way and leaves nice streaky lacing.

Smell- Lots of fruit including mango and lime. Also an underlying vanilla sweetness.

Taste- Up front has sweet ripe fruit that is swept away and finished with a long woodsy and earthy finish.

Mouthfeel- Pretty heavy mouthfeel that could use a little more carbonation to help create a crisper finish.

Overall- I like the complexity that the oak aging bring to the smell, but it kinds of hinders the juicy fruit that you get from the original version. The oak brings more of a woodyness rather then a sweet vanilla. That being said, it is an excellent beer that I wouod definitly drink again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 20:24:02 | More by BrownAleMale

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is a slightly-cloudy orange colour. Small white head.

Smell contains oak fairly strongly, as well a lot of floral scents. Hibiscus, perhaps? A lot going on here but I cannot identify all of it. Very nice smell.

Flavour contains oak and an unusual flavour that I guess accounts for the "white" part of it? Floral flavours (whatever that means, it seems right!), herbal. After all of that, the more typical IPA flavours come into the picture. Grapefruit, citrus. Oak is strong but not overwhelming. Very nice and unusual.

Medium bodied, moderately carbonated. A bit oily, but the oak results in a drier feel.

Overall, really good. The oak flavours are unusual and very nice. A great twist on the regular Jai Alai.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:02:45 | More by jrenihan

kpanter

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I am lucky enough to get this fresh from the brewery and at my local beer shops. I can never seem to have enough. Pours a hazy amber / burnt orange color with a nice 2 finger head w/ some lacing. Initial taste is smooth citrus & tropical, mainly orange & grapefruit notes. Finishes crisply with a hoppy / oaky flavor. Light and creamy mouthfeel. The white oak pretty much dominates the complex flavor of this beer, but this is quite the drinkable brew. I bring this to friends' and it always gets finished, too drinkable in those instances. This might just top their Humidor IPA for me, and I that is no easy feat. The latest batch was the freshest I have enjoyed, and it definitely has been my favorite to date.

I haven't had many (if any) aged IPA's, but this is one of my favorite IPA's in general.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:19:31 | More by kpanter

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

(Thanks go to a friend who went home to Tampa for Christmas and brought me back some Cigar City beers). Jai Alai White Oak IPA pours a clear amber with a medium sized creamy white head on top. As the foam fades it leaves behind some spots and lines of lace on the glass.

The aroma is very woody with notes of oak and some vanilla. Reminds me of a wood shop. Some citrus, pine and light fruit (peach)are also present.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is creamy with mild carbonation. The flavor is sweet with fruity notes of peach and mango. Lots of oak throughout. It finishes with citrus flavor of orange and grapefruit. Once gone the sweet peach flavor and oak lingers on the palate.

This is a very tasty, easy drinking beer with a unique flavor of fruit and oak. Now that I've had some I want more.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 00:22:31 | More by WanderingFool

fields336

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: light brown, orange

S: light vanilla, oak wood, dill, tropical fruits, and earthy hops

T: vanilla, dill, pepper, peach, pineapple, mango, oak wood, herbal

M: creamy mouthfeel, not rough at all, almost a nitro mouthfeel

O: this beer tastes very different from jai alai, but in a good way. I like the flavors and the best parts of jai alai shine through

Serving type: growler

12-19-2012 23:57:44 | More by fields336

mnphish

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled at the Cigar City Brewery less than a week ago, thanks to my great friends in Florida! 12oz bottle poured into a Snifter.

A: Color is amber gold, head recedes quickly and leaves a little bit of lacing.

S: Here is where this beer dominates. Heavy aromas of grapefruit, oak/wood, citrus, and hints of pineapple, peaches, and coconut. Amazing, i can't wait to indulge.

T: Very nice. All that comes through in the smell translates beautifully in the taste. Lots of grapefruit, well balanced, and the oak adds a one-of-a-kind complexity to this beer.

M: Light carbonation, smooth and light, very drinkable.

O: I am pretty wowed by this beer, never had an IPA with all these tropical flavors. So damn good.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:41:43 | More by mnphish

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into CCB snifter. Thanks to johnyb for this one.

A- Pours a little bit hazy orange brown with about a finger and a half of foamy white head that has excellent retention and coats the glass in lacing. Decent amount of consistently rising carbonation bubbles.

S- Citrusy hops of lemon and grapefruit balanced with sweet vanilla extract, oak, and a hint of dill. Very well balanced, fairly aromatic, appealing, interesting, and fairly complex for an IPA.

T- Surprising amount of citrus lemony hops that balance with an oaky vanilla extract flavor that gives a fairly sweet taste that balances surprisingly well with the citrus. Finishes with significantly more oaky vanilla, a considerable amount of dill (even more then the nose), and a little bit of a bitter hop bite (a little bit more then I was expecting). Lingering aftertastes of citrus hops, vanilla, and dill. The white oak definitely gives it a very unique IPA taste that is surprisingly very tasty and balances well.

M- Medium bodied, nice carbonation, very smooth, lightly creamy, very easy to drink.

O- This is probably one of the most interesting beers I've had to date. I haven't had many barrel-aged IPAs (probably mostly CCB ones), but this is probably my favorite. It drinks kind of like a citrusy milkshake when you take in consideration the smooth vanilla, foamy head, and creamy feel. Unlike any other beer I've ever had and very well done. It might not be for everyone, but I definitely recommend trying it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 22:20:25 | More by jaasen64

davey101

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A bit faded but the date appears to be Aug 15, 2012. 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A - Pours a hazy dark orange body. Loads of yeast and sediment line the bottom of the glass. A frothy and soapy two finger off white head forms and sticks around for a while. Immense lacing and retention. Looks like the topping of a cappuccino. It certainly doesn't bother me, but I've yet to see a beer have this much sediment.

S - Where to start? This beer is just so unique. Aroma starts off with intense ripe mango and peach juice. Candied peach rings, some floral hops and a touch of the dankness that I found in the standard Jai Alai. Finally on the end there is some wood and warm vanilla.

T - Less tropical than the nose. Grassy and floral hops start off. Some peaches and cream. Then a strong wood presence with some vanilla. Mouth feel is silky, creamy and well carbonated. Really great feel to it.

O - Really unique beer here. I guess the closest thing to compare this to would be Burton Baton. Huge gobs of tropical notes with a fresh white oak finish. Perma-ISO!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 02:13:57 | More by davey101

emerge077

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank quite a bit of this at FoBAB '12, several pours served in the festival taster glass, at least 12 oz. total. Quick review from notes.

Pours a nice deep orange color, saturated hue with a glowing haze that's visible when backlit. Sudsy foam on the surface with an initial cluster of larger bubbles resting atop a fingers width of head. Aroma is full of oak character, dry woody traces with some sweet vanilla and coconut elements that blend harmoniously with a resinous citrus oil hop character. Dry and bitter feel, with a little bit of sweetness in the middle from the pale malt and possibly the oak too. Smooth and medium bodied, hops lend a good deal of citrus peel and herbaceous bitterness in the aftertaste, though it's smoothed out a bit overall from the oak aging. Pretty drinkable considering the abv, but probably a 1-2 in a sitting type of beer. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 16:38:39 | More by emerge077

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, a great extra from djmichaelk. It was poured into my petite Duvel tulip.

White Oak Jai Alai pours a fairly hazy orange, lightening plenty towards tangerine when held up to light. Three fingers or so of fluffy white foam comes together to top the beer. Head retention is very good, and some solid chunks of lacing are left attached around the inside of the glass. The nose is very fragrant, and features a nice blend of grapefruit and lemon zests, and a distinct dill aroma. Just a little bit of oakiness is appreciable as well. The flavor takes things up a notch, and everything really comes together nicely. A soft caramel sweetness opens, bolstered by some vanilla from the oak. A fairly noticeable bitterness greets my palate next, along with some earthy, spicy oak flavors. That same dill presence from the aroma acts as a bridge to the traditional citrus finish. Ideally I'd like the grapefruit and pineapple flavors to pop just a little bit more, but the balance really is almost perfect. I don't know if it's the tannins from the oak, but the body just feels a little full to me. It's partnered with a plenty active level of carbonation though. I've had regular Jai Alai before and enjoyed it without thinking it particularly stood out from the pack as far as IPAs go, but this oaked version is a fantastic twist on one of the more popular craft beer styles.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:15:30 | More by axeman9182

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A perfect golden color, slightly transparent, a nice finger of off white head at the top that leaves a nice lacing around the glass.

S: Up front are notes of pineapple and banana, and slight hint of pepper at the tail end, a nice smell to this brew.

T: Same as the nose, but great tasting was very surprised at the kick this beer had, not bad at all. Fruits and spice everywhere.

M: Medium bodied and moderate carbonation.

O: This was a great brew, my buddy had it for me when I went to visit in Atlanta, Georgia; Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 21:47:02 | More by thedoubler55

Beerenauslese

California

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into a tulip glass. Like the base beer, a hazy amber gold with an ample off-white head that leaves lots of sticky lacing.

Smells of light caramel malt, green, citrus and earthy hops, vanilla, and caramel sugar--like the base beer.

This doesn't taste as smooth as the base beer. The oak aging has made this a bit less balanced and the hops are more harsh. There is a very distinct flavor of vanilla that is immediately noticeable and permeates the taste of the beer throughout the palate and the beer is sweeter than the base beer. There are notes of citrus and grassy hops, but they also seem somewhat harsher--especially the bitterness--and the result is the beer is not as nicely balanced as the base beer, being sweeter and harsher.

The body is medium and the carbonation is a bit fizzy, giving this a more crisp than creamy mouthfeel compared to the base beer, whose creaminess I liked better.

Overall, the wood and vanilla notes dominate what is a delicious and nicely balanced base beer. This version teaches me that I don't find vanilla to be a pleasant addition to an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 04:12:22 | More by Beerenauslese

Danny1217

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Orange amber with a two finger white head. Nice sticky lacing. Good looking beer.
Smells of Grapefruit, vanilla, and coconut. Nice hop aroma balanced with sweetness from the oak. Incredible smell.
Tastes of citrus and vanilla. Orange, grapefruit, and coconut. Good balance. Bitter hop taste is melded together with the sweetness from the oak. Dry finish. Medium body and carbonation.

I still may like regular Jai Alai slightly better, but this is definitely a nice twist to one of my favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 23:39:09 | More by Danny1217