Cigar City Jai Alai IPA – Tampa's Legendary Hop Bomb

Updated -> January 2026

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA is a bold, citrus-forward American IPA that put Tampa's craft beer scene on the national map. Brewed with six hop varieties, this 7.5% ABV flagship delivers waves of grapefruit, orange, and tropical fruit backed by a solid malt foundation. Named after the Basque sport once popular in Florida, Jai Alai balances aggressive hop character with enough drinkability to earn its place as one of America's most celebrated IPAs. Available in a 6-pack at Bel Pre Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, MD.

Introduction

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA stands as one of the defining American IPAs of the craft beer era. Emerging from Tampa, Florida—a city not traditionally associated with craft brewing—Jai Alai proved that exceptional beer could come from anywhere with vision and skill. Its aggressive citrus hop character wrapped around a sturdy malt backbone created a template that countless breweries have attempted to replicate.

At 7.5% ABV, Jai Alai hits the sweet spot between sessionable and impactful. It's strong enough to demand attention but balanced enough to drink more than one. The six different hop varieties create complexity without chaos, delivering layer upon layer of citrus and tropical fruit. This isn't a beer for hop novices—it's bold, bitter, and unapologetically hoppy. But for IPA enthusiasts, it's essential drinking.

The Cigar City Story

Understanding Jai Alai requires knowing its origin:

• 2009 Founding: Joey Redner founded Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Florida, named for the city's historic cigar-making industry. Tampa was once the cigar capital of America, and Redner wanted to honor that heritage.
• Florida Focus: Cigar City embraced Florida identity at a time when craft beer was dominated by Pacific Northwest and California breweries. The brewery's labels, names, and imagery all celebrate Florida history and culture.
• Rapid Recognition: Jai Alai IPA quickly became the flagship, earning critical acclaim and establishing Cigar City as a serious player in American craft beer.
• Oskar Blues Acquisition: In 2016, Cigar City was acquired by Oskar Blues (now part of CANarchy), which expanded distribution while maintaining the brewing team and recipes.
• Continued Excellence: Despite growth and acquisition, Jai Alai has maintained its quality and character, remaining one of the most respected American IPAs available.

The Jai Alai Name

The name Jai Alai connects to Florida's unique history:

• Basque Origins: Jai Alai is a Basque sport (the name means "merry festival" in Basque) involving players hurling a ball at high speeds using curved wicker baskets called cestas.
• Florida Connection: The sport became hugely popular in Florida in the mid-20th century, with frontons (playing courts) throughout the state, especially in Tampa and Miami. Betting on Jai Alai was a major industry.
• Cultural Icon: For decades, Jai Alai was as associated with Florida as beaches and oranges. The sport's decline in recent decades makes the beer's name a nostalgic tribute to Florida's past.
• Speed Reference: The Jai Alai ball is one of the fastest moving objects in sports. Cigar City's choice of name suggests the intense, hard-hitting nature of the beer's hop character.

Brewing Process

Creating Jai Alai's signature profile requires careful technique:

• Six Hop Varieties: The recipe uses six different hop varieties, each contributing unique character. This complexity creates depth beyond single-hop IPAs.
• Aggressive Hopping: Hops are added at multiple stages—early for bitterness, late for flavor, and dry-hopped post-fermentation for aroma. The hop bill is substantial.
• Malt Foundation: A sturdy malt backbone provides balance. Without sufficient malt character, the hops would taste harsh rather than bold.
• Florida Water: Tampa's water profile is adjusted to optimize hop expression, creating the mineral balance that helps hops shine.
• Canning Excellence: Cigar City cans Jai Alai to protect hop freshness from light and oxygen, ensuring the beer you drink tastes as intended.

Tasting Notes

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA delivers bold hop impact:

Appearance: Golden to light amber with excellent clarity. A thick white head rises and persists, leaving lacing down the glass. The color suggests drinkability despite the hop intensity.

Aroma: Explosive citrus—grapefruit dominates with orange peel and tangerine notes. Behind the citrus, there's tropical fruit (mango, passion fruit) and a hint of pine. The hop aromatics are intense and inviting.

Taste: Grapefruit bitterness leads, followed by orange and tropical fruit sweetness. The malt provides enough sweetness to balance but doesn't compete for attention. Moderate bitterness builds through the mid-palate. At 7.5% ABV, there's warming alcohol that adds body without heat.

Finish: Long, bitter, and citrusy. The grapefruit note returns on the finish, with lingering bitterness that invites another sip. Clean and dry, avoiding any cloying sweetness.

Hop Profile

The six hop varieties in Jai Alai create its signature character:

• Citrus Character: American hops like Simcoe and Centennial provide the bold grapefruit and orange notes that define the beer.
• Tropical Notes: Hops like Citra and Amarillo add mango, passion fruit, and tropical complexity.
• Pine Backbone: Traditional American hops contribute resinous, piney notes that ground the fruit character.
• Balanced Bitterness: 70 IBUs (International Bitterness Units) provide significant but not punishing bitterness. The bitterness is assertive but integrated.
• Hop Freshness: Dry hopping adds aroma without additional bitterness, creating the nose explosion when you first crack the can.

Serving Suggestions

• Temperature: Serve Jai Alai cold (40-45°F) but not ice cold. Slightly warmer temperatures allow the hop aromatics to express fully.
• Glassware: An IPA glass or tulip glass concentrates the hop aromas. The narrow opening focuses the citrus notes toward your nose with each sip.
• Pouring: Pour aggressively to release aromatics and build the head. Let the beer breathe briefly before drinking.
• From Can: Drinking from the can works, but you'll miss much of the aroma experience. At least take time to smell before sipping.
• Fresh: IPAs are best fresh. Check date codes and drink within 3 months of packaging for optimal hop expression.

Food Pairings

• Spicy Food: Jai Alai's bitterness and hop oils stand up to heat. Thai, Indian, and Mexican cuisines pair excellently.
• Grilled Meats: Charred burgers, steaks, and BBQ match the beer's bold character. The bitterness cuts through fat and char.
• Strong Cheeses: Sharp cheddar, blue cheese, and aged gouda have the intensity to match the hops.
• Citrus Dishes: The beer's citrus notes complement citrus-marinated fish, ceviche, and citrus salads.
• Fish Tacos: A Florida pairing—the citrus hops and slight bitterness work perfectly with fried fish, lime, and creamy sauce.

Perfect Occasions

• Craft Beer Exploration: If you're building IPA knowledge, Jai Alai is essential tasting. It represents the American IPA style at its finest.
• Summer Grilling: Bold enough to stand up to grilled food, refreshing enough for warm weather.
• Friday Evening: The 7.5% ABV and intense flavor make this a transition beer—moving from work mode to weekend mode.
• Beer Sharing: Bring to a beer-focused gathering where people appreciate quality craft beer.
• Solo Appreciation: Sometimes you want to sit with a great beer and pay attention. Jai Alai rewards contemplation.

How It Compares

• vs. Bell's Two Hearted: Two Hearted uses only Centennial hops for a more focused character. Jai Alai's six-hop blend is more complex and tropical.
• vs. Sierra Nevada Torpedo: Torpedo is slightly more balanced and traditional. Jai Alai is bolder and more citrus-forward.
• vs. Stone IPA: Similar boldness but different hop expression. Stone emphasizes pine and resin; Jai Alai emphasizes citrus and tropical fruit.
• vs. Hazy IPAs: Jai Alai is a West Coast-style clear IPA—bitter and dry rather than soft and juicy like hazy/New England IPAs.
• vs. Session IPAs: At 7.5%, Jai Alai has more body and intensity than 4-5% session IPAs but remains drinkable.

Cigar City Lineup

• Jai Alai IPA: The flagship (this beer)—bold, citrusy, essential.
• Florida Cracker: Belgian-style white ale with orange and coriander.
• Maduro Brown Ale: Roasty brown ale named after dark-wrapper cigars.
• Guayabera Pale Ale: More sessionable hop-forward option.
• Hunahpu's Imperial Stout: Legendary annual release imperial stout.

Storage Tips

• Fresh is Best: IPAs degrade faster than other styles. Buy fresh and drink within 3 months of packaging date.
• Cold Storage: Refrigerate Jai Alai to slow hop degradation. Cold temperatures preserve hop oils and aromatics.
• Avoid Light: Cans protect from light, but don't leave them in direct sunlight or warm areas.
• Don't Age: This is not a beer for aging. Drink it now while the hops are vibrant.

Local Availability

Check stock and pickup options below. Cigar City Jai Alai IPA 6-Pack is available now at Bel Pre Beer & Wine.

Where to Buy

Grab Cigar City Jai Alai IPA now from our online shop. Visit https://www.belprefinewine.com for curbside pickup, delivery zones, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA represents American IPA at its finest—bold, citrusy, complex, and satisfying. From a Tampa brewery that helped prove craft beer excellence isn't limited to traditional brewing regions, Jai Alai has earned its place among the most celebrated IPAs in America.

At $15.99 for a 6-pack, you get brewery-fresh quality and one of the best examples of citrus-forward American IPA available. Whether you're a craft beer veteran or exploring what IPA can be, Jai Alai delivers the goods.

Visit Bel Pre Beer & Wine at 2251 Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring, MD to pick up your 6-pack today.