Do you drink Cigar City Jai Alai India Pale Ale? I sure do. There was a time when you could not get the stuff, but as with most things, fads fade with time and now the beer is fairly ubiquitous. Joining the CANarchy family of breweries in 2016 did not hurt distribution, either. Recently, I started to see Jai Alai in supermarkets and gas stations in 19.2-ounce stovepipe cans. A further expansion of their distribution.
Just this past Saturday, I also saw a new version of Jai Alai at my local Publix store: Jai Alai Double IPA. Of course, a can went into my cart as I was intrigued to try this new version of an old favorite, and I popped it the following day wiling away a Sunday evening with some tasty brews.
Cigar City Jai Alai Double IPA has an alcohol content of 10% by volume . My can is stamped 05/10/26. Cigar City calls this a "Bigger and Bolder Jai Alai Experience". This beer is also currently sold in a mixed 12-pack with other Cigar City beers.
About Cigar City Brewery
Founded in 2009, Cigar City Brewing was born out of a desire to bring the unique culture, history, and cuisine of Tampa to an international audience. Always looking to expand the palate of flavors, Cigar City Brewing began introducing beers with unique tropical inspiration and culinary lineage.
Cigar City Jai Alai Double IPA in a Cigar City Brewing Glass
Tasting Notes
Cigar City Jai Alai Double IPA pours to a hazy orange amber color with a thick fluffy white head and a nose of dank herbal earthy and resiny pine notes. A thick layer of Brussels Lace forms on the sides of my glass and follows the liquid all the way down to the bottom. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body, and I expected more of that, but it does pack a bit of caramel malt in its initial punch. Then the hops take over, aggressively, assertively earthy herbal and grassy, dank vegetal, resiny piney, gently citric, and in the finish leaving a massively long dry lingering bitterness. Warming alcohol shows up too, but the beer does not seem as strong as it is.
Value & Verdict
I paid $4 for a 19.2-ounce can at Publix, and find that to be a bargain.
I got a lot more bitterness and less citrus than Cigar City describes, but the beer is still dangerously drinkable. I would love to drink it dangerously again.
