Jai Alai IPA
Cigar City Brewing

Jai Alai IPAJai Alai IPA
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From:
Cigar City Brewing
 
Florida, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #49
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,620
Avg:
4.27 | pDev: 9.37%
Reviews:
1,854
Ratings:
9,189
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 14, 2024
Added:
Dec 05, 2008
Wants:
  1,072
Gots:
  2,813
Jai Alai, a game native to the Basque region of Spain, is played on a court called a fronton. Jai Alai players attempt to catch a ball using a curved mitt whilst the ball travels at speeds up to 188 mph! Proving they have a sense of humor the Spanish dubbed this game, with its ball traveling at race car speeds, "the merry game." Tampa was once home to a bustling Jai Alai fronton but sadly all that remains of Jai Alai in the Tampa Bay area is this India Pale Ale that we brew in tribute to the merry game. The India Pale Ale style of beer has its roots in the ales sent from England to thirsty British troops in India during the 18th century. Pair Jai Alai India Pale Ale with beef empanadas, deviled crabs and other spicy dishes.

65 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by CMB2012:
Photo of CMB2012
Reviewed by CMB2012 from Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle with no freshness date. Acquired in Orlando, FL at Knightly Spirits. Poured into open mouth wine glass.

A- Pours a clean orange, reminiscent of dark orange jello. Thin white head dissipates pretty quick leaving nice frothy bubbles. Good lacing. This beer looks good!

S- Strong hop presence for a single IPA, sweet hops, a little bubblegum. Orange citrus (my mind is on jello now, so I smell that too), lemon, grapefruit, and pine. I detect oak up front which appears mellow and sweet in nature, possibly some vanilla. Toffee and caramel malts, then a peppery spicy character, followed by a little alcohol burn in the end - not surprising considering the high ABV, and by no means overwhelming.

T- Tasty... Subtle, mellow oak works perfect with the resinous piney hops, sweet toffee malts, and it culminates into a citrus ending that is both crisp and refreshing. The citric aftertaste lingers and melds into a musty, woody character.

M- Velvety and full(ish) up front, the medium carbonation lightens up the palate and finishes crisp.

O- I would like point out that no where, except on the bottle: "Pair Jai Alai Oak-Aged India Pale Ale with..." is there any mention of this beer actually being aged in oak. Cigar City's website mentions nothing, and neither does BA. However, I certainly can detect subtle hints of what can be described as woody and oaky characteristics in this brew. If it isn't oak, then either my palate is off and/or these hops are more complex then I give them credit for. Either way, I really enjoyed this beer and wish it were available in Chicago. I would definitely drink a lot of it.
Mar 31, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
 
Rated: 3.98 by Daniel_Mott from Sweden

Mar 14, 2024
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Rated by SheepWBY

3/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
industrial
Mar 08, 2024
Photo of moysauce
Rated by moysauce from Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Classic
Mar 06, 2024
 
Rated: 3.68 by averageninjaface from Alaska

Mar 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.11 by skubas86 from Illinois

Mar 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.44 by blueatari from Florida

Feb 11, 2024
Photo of GrumpyGas
Rated by GrumpyGas from Illinois

4.24/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Only 2 months old and still fruity, bitter, and refreshing. Too easy drinking for 7.5%.
Feb 10, 2024
 
Rated: 4.06 by Mickeyharris from Alabama

Feb 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.29 by Plonk from Alabama

Jan 29, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by Nyoder

Jan 29, 2024
Photo of Jacob313
Rated by Jacob313 from Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Leaves large head with good lacing
Smells like oranges & tangerine
Tastes like a tangerine smoothie
Medium to heavy carbonation, feels nice & full
Jan 27, 2024
 
Rated: 5 by Zachboyd3334 from Indiana

Jan 19, 2024
 
Rated: 1.75 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
 
Rated: 3.51 by Maxxis from Illinois

Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 4.99 by cumbaby from Florida

Dec 21, 2023
Photo of Crazy4hazy
Reviewed by Crazy4hazy from Oregon

2.67/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
This golden colored IPA was about all that was available at a pool side bar in Disney Animal Kingdom . I missed the many great IPA,s available in Oregon but this was better than bud and simular beers which are worse than drinking water. As the only ok beer available I would rank it as ok to not bad.
Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4.85 by mtnav from Michigan

Dec 05, 2023
Jai Alai IPA from Cigar City Brewing
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 9189 ratings