Cigar City Guayabara 6Pk

Cigar City Guayabera Pale Ale 6-Pack is a Citra-hopped American Pale Ale from Tampa, Florida, at 5.5% ABV and 50 IBU, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. This expression earned a Silver Medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival in the International-style Pale Ale category and carries a 91 score on BeerAdvocate from over 1,100 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  IBU: 50  |  Origin: Tampa, Florida  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Cigar City Brewing

Production & Heritage

Cigar City Brewing operates out of Tampa, Florida, a city historically tied to the cigar industry — a heritage the brewery weaves into its branding and beer names. Guayabera is built on a deliberately simple malt bill that provides moderate breadiness while letting the hops take center stage. The defining production choice is the exclusive use of Citra hops, a single-varietal approach that creates a focused, recognizable tropical and citrus character without competing hop profiles muddying the picture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose bursts with tropical fruit — mango, lychee, and ripe tangerine — followed by bright lime leaf and grapefruit zest. A subtle undercurrent of mild pine rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-forward, with tangerine and berry flavors hitting first. Mid-palate, grapefruit and orange emerge alongside a moderate bready malt sweetness that anchors the assertive bitterness at 50 IBU. The balance between hop intensity and malt restraint keeps each sip clean and drinkable.

Finish: Crisp and dry with lingering citrus peel and a faint tropical echo. Light to medium body and medium-to-high carbonation give it a refreshing snap that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Guayabera

Guayabera drinks best cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to open up the hop aromatics. Its versatility also makes it a strong base for beer cocktails. A Citrus Shandy works well here, where the Citra hop profile amplifies fresh lemonade rather than fighting it. A Michelada benefits from the beer's dry finish and citrus character cutting through the tomato-lime heat. For something unconventional, try it in a Beer Margarita, where Guayabera's tropical fruit notes merge naturally with tequila and lime.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather grilling sessions
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to single-varietal pale ales
• Pairing with spicy or citrus-driven dishes
• Stocking a craft beer fridge with a reliable everyday pale ale

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Guayabera taste like? Guayabera delivers bright tangerine, grapefruit, and tropical fruit flavors balanced by moderate bready malt and a crisp, dry finish. It is assertively bitter at 50 IBU but remains highly drinkable thanks to its clean, focused Citra hop character.

How does Guayabera compare to El Segundo Citra Pale Ale? Both are single-hop Citra pale ales at 5.5% ABV, but Guayabera leans more tropical with prominent mango and lychee notes, while El Segundo's version tends toward a slightly more resinous, West Coast-influenced bitterness. Guayabera's GABF Silver Medal and 91 BeerAdvocate score give it strong critical backing in the category.

Is Guayabera good for beginners? Yes — its approachable 5.5% ABV and clean single-hop profile make it an excellent entry point into American Pale Ales without overwhelming bitterness or complexity.

Where is Guayabera made? Guayabera is brewed by Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Florida. The brewery draws its identity from Tampa's historic cigar culture and has become one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Southeast.

What foods pair well with Guayabera? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's citrus-tropical character. Jerk chicken matches the assertive hop bitterness with smoky heat. Fish ceviche mirrors the lime and grapefruit notes. Thai green curry finds balance against the dry, carbonated finish. A simple margherita pizza lets the hop aromatics shine without competing.

What sizes does Guayabera come in? Guayabera is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, and Cigar City also distributes it in draft format at select locations.

Is Guayabera worth the price? Guayabera positions as a well-priced everyday craft pale ale — competitive within the American Pale Ale category and delivering single-hop Citra character that rivals more expensive specialty releases.

Why Guayabera?

The exclusive use of Citra hops is the defining move here — rather than blending multiple hop varieties, Cigar City bets everything on one and executes it with precision. That commitment earned the beer a 2018 GABF Silver Medal and a 91 on BeerAdvocate, placing it among the most critically respected pale ales in its class. The simple malt backbone stays out of the way, letting the tropical and citrus aromatics do the heavy lifting. For drinkers who want to understand what Citra hops can do on their own, Guayabera remains one of the clearest and most drinkable demonstrations available.