Cigar City Jai Alai India Pale Ale

Cigar City Jai Alai India Pale Ale. 7.5% Alc. by Vol.

Second of two cans brought back from Florida by Dave Anderson. Thanks again, Dave!

Hazy, amber/apricottish hue, long-lasting white head, settles into a tight ring.

Aroma: vibrant citrus and pine. ripe and resin-y. Right on the money.

Taste: BAM! A powerhouse on the palate. Bright, citric hops pounce right out of the gate. Juicy, plump, bitter, joyous. A multitude of malt keeps it grounded and balanced. Good drinking, with a flavor and high hopping that never quits.

There's no information on the back about the beer, beyond why they called it Jai Alai or what food pairings you should try. Fine. Who needs gobbledygook? This is a class act IPA, all the way. Belongs up there with the best of the them. Sure wish I had another.

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 188mph! Proving they have a sense of humor the Spanish dubbed this game, with its ball traveling at racecar 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.