Cigar City Pineapple Tangerine Jai Alai India Pale Ale

 

Cigar City Pineapple Tangerine Jai Alai India Pale Ale.

7% ABV, 65 IBU. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida. 

From the Jai Alai Variety 12-pack.

Clear, amber-gold hue, small white head, leaving a little lace.

In the nose: tangerine pops out first, pineapple coming in after. Citrusy aromatics with a dash of the tropical.

In the mouth: bright and fruity on the palate, tangerine shining through, with just enough bitterness to keep my tongue happy. Medium bodied, easy drinking. The IPA beneath the fruit holds it’s own. Juicy, bitter, delicious. I’m digging it. 

The bright citrus qualities of our iconic India Pale Ale are accentuated in this innovated iteration through the addition of pineapple and tangerine, creating an intensity of flavor yet maintaining highlighters balanced profile.

Cigar City Florida Man Double India Pale Ale

 Cigar City Florida Man Double India Pale Ale.

8.5% ABV, 50 IBU. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, large ivory head. 

In the nose: Classic citrus and pine combo in effect. Orange peel and lemon with a splash of grapefruit.

In the mouth: even bigger citrus blast laying into the palate, with hyper hoppiness in tow. Slightly sweet to match the Brobdingnagian bitterness. Clean, brisk, popping with hoppiness. And then the booze pops up. 

Despite all the bigness, it feels very mellow, very groovy. Hops are hitting in all the right places. 

The world needs heroes, and in our home state of Florida only a very special hero will do. A hero with a shark tooth around his neck, a Grim Reaper tattoo on his arm, and a rap sheet longer than his mama’s mustache. A hero who’s forgotten more about amateur taxidermy and alligator rasslin’ than you’ll ever know. What better way to pay tribute to our beloved Florida Man than with a big ol’ Double India Pale Ale brewed with a nearly-criminal amount of hops and a moderate bitterness that just about matches Florida Man’s general disposition. This hopped-up whopper of a beer is big in character and guaranteed to sear itself into your memory, just like “the world’s worst superhero,” Florida Man.

Cigar City Jai Low India Pale Ale

 

Cigar City Jai Low India Pale Ale .

4% ABV,  35 IBU.Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL.

Clear, golden toned, slim white head.

In the nose: big citrus, orange peel meets grapefruit rind. 

In the mouth: bitter bite up front that fades a bit. Strong citrus flavors, a twist of tangerine, a smear of marmalade. Light in body, smooth, while flavorful. Soft finish, though the bitterness lingers and the taste never quits. Not too bad for a session IPA.

Tropical and bright with a full palate of flavor and a potency designed with moderation in mind, Jai Low IPA lowers the intensity of a typical India Pale Ale while maintaining the highest quality and hop flavor possible. 

Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale

Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale. 5.5% ABV, 25 IBU. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL.

Dark brown coloration. Fairly opaque, slim brownish head. Looking good.

In the nose: Richness, dark malts. Cocoa. Coconut? Molasses? Sweet and malty.

In the mouth: More of the same. Rich, sweet, tasty, filling. Keeps the palate happy with malty goodness. Touch of cinnamon? More flavor associations keep popping up. Minor hops, if at all. Medium-bodied, excellently consumable, and downright delicious. This sky-rockets to the top of my favorite brown ales. Nothing but niceness in this one.

This is the third one of these I've ever had. The last was in July, the first sample I got from either distributor or brewery rep. Wait, no, it was old distributor rep, then new rep. They don't have a local rep yet, I don't think. I didn't take notes on it in July, because I knew I had this one that I could take notes on. Put this one off for too long. And the first one? According to Untappd it was five years ago, but I didn't indicate where. Probably a friend sharing a can he brought back from Florida. Probably Dave. Thanks, Dave.

Maduro is a Northern English-style brown ale with some American affectations. Maduro is higher in alcohol than the common English brown ale and features flaked oats in the malt bill which imparts a silky body and works to mesh the roasted, toasted and chocolate components together in Maduro’s complex malt profile. The end result is a remarkably full-flavored yet approachable and sessionable brown ale that pairs well with mild to medium cigars. 

Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale

This might be the first beer I've had a beer named after a style of shirt. I can't think of another. Can you? Leave a comment below. Wait. Just though of one. Are there others? Let's make a game of it!
Anyway, on to the beer...

Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale. 5.5% ABV. 50 IBU. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL.

Clear, golden-hued, significant slab of ivory foam above, leaving lace.

In the nose: vivacious flowering of citrus notes, orange, lemon, tangerine. Nicely hopped.

In the mouth: Bitter hop bite up front, big and citrusy. Orange peel and lemon zest, bitter hop flavors grabbing the palate. Slightly sweet in the back, but bitter takes charge of the front. Minimal malt, easy drinking. Goes down nice and easy. A likable pale ale, indeed.

Traditional throughout Latin America, the guayabera shirt combines style, functionality, form and tradition in it’s four-pocketed design.  We at Cigar City feel the same reverence and appreciation for the guayabera that we do for the Citra hop varietal, an ingredient that imparts notes of tangerine, lime and berries to this traditional American Pale Ale.  The exclusive use of Citra hops in this beer creates a flavor that’s at once unique and recognizable, while it’s dry, crisp character and moderate alcohol make it as refreshing and functional as a crisp linen guayaberas.

Again, a first, this time for real. Drawing a comparison between a beer and apparel. Okay, whatever works.

Cigar City Invasion Tropical Pale Ale

Cigar City Invasion Tropical Pale Ale. 5% ABV, 50 IBU. Dry-hopped with Simcoe and Mosaic hops. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida.

Mostly clear, light haze, golden hued, under a slim layer of ivory foam.

In the nose: tropical fruit tones appear, mild bitterness.

In the mouth: Bitterness mild again, drinking is easy. Mellow. Cool. Hops keep smacking the palate. Citrus and berry flavors abound.

Nice pale ale. I like this just fine, but no more. Wouldn't go out of my way for one. You'd have to thrust it right into my face.

The people of Tampa Bay have fallen prey to Pirate invasion every year for well over 100 years. After more than a century of failing to repel these seafaring raiders in their anachronistic wooden ships, despite access to modern sea, land and air arsenals that ostensibly should make short work of wind powered vessels equipped with naught but cast iron cannons and raging scurvy, it occurred to the folks of Cigar City Brewing that if you can’t beat them start saying Arrrr Matey! And so we have brewed Invasion Pale Ale, a citrusy and tropical session beer brewed for those long days of marauding, pillaging and pirating. Cheers!

Cigar City Cubano-style Espresso Brown Ale

Cigar City Brewing Cubano-style Espresso Brown Ale with Vanilla, Cacao & Coffee Beans Added. 5.5% ABV. 25 IBU. Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida.

Rich, dark, deep brown, with a lush, brown head, leaving lace. Looking good.

In the nose: Ah! Yes! Cream, cocoa, vanilla, chocolate, coffee....all the good stuff. So lovely.

In the mouth: Full body, rich texture, big mouthfeel. Massive maltiness, minimum hops. Rich and redolent with the earthy, the chocolatey, the espresso-y. All the yummy. Just ever-so delightful. The vanilla, the coffee, and all the yum.

"This brown ale is brewed with a heaping amount of Cubano-style espresso beans,vanilla and cacao nibs. Rich coffee notes dominate this beer, while still being balanced by a smooth malty backbone. Pairs well with arroz con leche and, of course, a delicate shot of Cubano espresso.

Brewed with a proprietary blend of coffee beans produced in tandem with Buddy Brew Coffee in Tampa, Florida."

Beer Camp Sierra Nevada Collaboration with Cigar City: Yonder Bock Tropical Maibock

Beer Camp #3: Sierra Nevada/Cigar City Yonder Bock Tropical Maibock. 7.7% ABV, 45 IBU.

Appearance: highly hazed, deep amber, lush, creamy white head. Looking great.

Aroma: Coconut and pineapple. Bananas? Sweet malt. Low hops.

Taste: Here's a little bit of hops, and a lot of lush, tasty pale malt. Medium bodied, long, lingering sweet finish. Just delicious. Absolutely yum. Remarkable.

This is one of two canned beers in the sampler pack, the one being a collaboration with Oskar Blues, both of these canning breweries. I'm dying to read the label on the can and find out more….of course, there's nothing on the bottleneck, and there's no neck on the can, so it had better all be on the back of the can….here we go…"Brewed in collaboration with Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, FL., Yonder Bock is a Latin-inspired twist on a traditional Maibock. Cigar City finds inspiration in the Cuban roots of their hometown, which is a long way from our home base in Chico, but our friends down yonder in Florida can sure brew a great beer. Yonder Bock blends a silky malt body with bright fruity hop aromas of guava, mango and passion fruit from the use of Calypso, Azacca and experimental 366 hops as a nod to Cigar City's tropical locale."

Well, dang it. I just don't have the nose for guava, I guess.

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.

Cigar City Florida Cracker White Ale

Cigar City Florida Cracker Belgian-style White Ale, 5.5% Alc. by Vol.
White Ale brewed with curacao peel and coriander. Canned by Cigar City Brewing (not "brewed and canned by…"?), LLC, Tampa, FL. Drink fresh! Do not age! Pour gently into a glass.
Good idea, think I will…

Clouded, pale yellow coloring. Nice white head, slips down to nil.

Aroma: There it is, citrus and spice and wheat. Note perfect witbier nose.

Taste: Smooth, sweet, lightly hoppy, turning dry in the end. Light bodied, crisp, refreshing, comforting. Orange and lemon flavors match beautiful with the spice and roll off the tongue with the wheat. Tastes just like a wit should.

Much thanks to Dave for the can.

About that can. Let me get out my glasses…(sigh)…you know what, forget it, it's too long for me to type. I'll find a link to it, so you can find out the historical background for the name. It's not just a pun on white folks? Well, thank heavens!

De Proef/Cigar City Collaboration: Tropical Tripel

Tropical Tripel. De Proef and Cigar City (Tampa, FL) met up in Belgium and collaborated on this one, using trappist yeast, brettanomyces, dried peaches, and toasted coconut, aging it on oak. I've had a keg of this on tap for a couple of weeks now, and had better take notes now before it runs out. (And I'm forced to spend money on a bomber.)

Appearance: Clear, bright golden hued, lush, creamy white head, leaving lace behind. Looks great.

Aroma: Sour hits first, with sweet swiftly on it's heels. An intriguingly wicked funky twist from the yeast, Brux III, they tell us, with the fruit closing in from behind. Oak effects rounds it out, holds it in, keeps it nailed down. Liking this.

Taste: Here, the sour twist and the sweet peach notes come together and land on the palate just so. Floods the mouth with complexities and delights. So many interesting tricks on the tongue. A little wild, a bit fruity, graced with the barrel's work. So many things happening that I don't notice when the 9.5% ABV comes barreling down on the brain. Boom, boom. Okay, take it slow….but, it tastes so good…come on, slow it down…you can do it.

Apart from that alcoholic spike, I really dig this one. The coconut does not stick out in the least, lays in the background, meshed with the peach profile. Hops are doing their own thing, too, but the yeast, fruit and oak are the true stars here. So tasty, so delicious, I am loving this. One of my favorite new beers. Favorite new beer of 2013? Maybe I should think about that? I totally forgot to in the past two years. Maybe, maybe.

Get a bomber, put on your swimsuit, hit the plastic pool, and put some zinc on your nose. Me, I'm enjoying this on tap before I head out into…hold on, now…nine degrees below zero. Yes, December in Minnesota. The Tropical Tripel will fortify me before I head off into the frozen wasteland. Wish me luck…

Here's more info from the label: "Tropical Tripel was brewed with a classic Trappist yeast and the lesser known Brux III strain of Brettanomyces. During the boil Magnum and Simcoe hops were added along with Belgian candy sugar and lactose for added mouthfeel, then it's finished with additions of toasted cocoanut, dried peaces, and medium toasted oak. We hope you enjoy this collaboration of brewing styles, cultures, and climates!" 9.5% ABV.