Cigar City Jai Alai 6Pk

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA 6-Pack is a 7.5% ABV American IPA from Tampa, Florida, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Rated 95 on BeerAdvocate across more than 9,000 reviews, Jai Alai has earned its reputation as one of the most celebrated IPAs in the American craft beer landscape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  IBU: 65  |  Origin: Tampa, Florida  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Cigar City Brewing

Production & Heritage

Cigar City Brewing operates out of Tampa, Florida, a city steeped in cigar-making history and Latin American cultural influence — both reflected in the brewery's naming and branding. Jai Alai IPA uses six distinct hop varietals — Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, CTZ (Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus), Motueka, and Simcoe — layered generously throughout the brewing process to build complexity rather than relying on a single dominant hop. The result is a beer with 65 IBUs that reads as assertively bitter on paper but drinks with surprising balance, anchored by a light malt backbone that keeps the citrus and resin from overwhelming the palate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tangerine and candied orange peel dominate the nose immediately, followed by bursts of grapefruit and a subtle undercurrent of pine resin. The hop aromatics are vivid and layered, revealing new citrus dimensions as the beer warms slightly.

Taste: The entry is juicy and almost clementine-like, bright with orange citrus and lighter acidity. At mid-palate, Valencia orange sweetness and a touch of caramel malt emerge, providing counterpoint before the assertive hop bitterness takes hold. The balance between sugar, acid, and bitterness is precise and well-calibrated.

Finish: Clean and dry with lingering grapefruit pith and pine. The bitterness is controlled rather than abrasive, fading steadily and inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Jai Alai

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the complexity. Jai Alai also works well as a beer cocktail base: try a Michelada variation using Jai Alai in place of a lighter lager for a citrus-amplified, spicy kick; a Shandy mixed half-and-half with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness on hot days; or a Hop Drop 'n Roll — a beer cocktail combining Jai Alai with a splash of fresh grapefruit juice and a dash of simple syrup to lean into its natural citrus profile.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer newcomer to American IPAs with a benchmark example
• Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Gifting a hop-forward beer lover who values complexity over single-note bitterness
• Pairing with grilled or spicy foods where bold flavors can hold their own

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jai Alai taste like? Jai Alai is citrus-driven with prominent flavors of clementine, grapefruit, and Valencia orange, backed by pine resin and a restrained caramel malt sweetness. The bitterness at 65 IBUs is assertive but balanced, finishing clean and dry.

How does Jai Alai compare to Stone IPA? Both are hop-forward American IPAs, but Jai Alai leans more heavily into tropical and orange citrus character from its six-hop blend, while Stone IPA tends toward a more aggressively bitter, piney, and earthy profile. Jai Alai's slightly higher ABV (7.5% vs. Stone's 6.9%) also gives it a fuller body.

Is Jai Alai good for IPA beginners? Jai Alai is an excellent gateway IPA because its citrus sweetness and caramel malt backbone soften the bitterness, making it approachable despite its 65 IBU rating. It teaches the palate what a well-constructed American IPA should taste like without being punishing.

Where is Jai Alai made? Jai Alai IPA is brewed by Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Florida. The brewery's name pays tribute to Tampa's deep-rooted cigar industry and Latin American heritage.

What foods pair well with Jai Alai? Spicy tacos or Thai curry, where the citrus hops cut through heat and richness. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar, as the bitterness cleanses the palate between bites. Fish and chips, where hop resin complements fried batter. Aged gouda or Manchego cheese, which echo the beer's caramel undertones. Citrus-marinated grilled chicken, which mirrors and amplifies the beer's orange-forward character.

What sizes does Jai Alai come in? Jai Alai is commonly available in 12 oz cans sold in 6-packs, as well as single 19.2 oz stovepipe cans for individual servings.

Is Jai Alai worth the price? Jai Alai positions as a premium-but-accessible craft IPA, sitting in the same price tier as Stone IPA and Ballast Point Sculpin while consistently earning some of the highest consumer and critic ratings in the American IPA category — strong value for a beer of this quality and complexity.

Why Jai Alai?

A 95-point BeerAdvocate score across thousands of reviews is not earned by accident — it reflects a beer that delivers reliably and memorably. The use of six hop varietals, including the New Zealand-grown Motueka alongside American staples like Simcoe and Amarillo, produces a citrus complexity that single- or double-hopped IPAs rarely achieve. Jai Alai manages the difficult trick of being both bold and balanced, hitting 7.5% ABV and 65 IBUs without tipping into harshness. For anyone building a craft beer repertoire or simply looking for a benchmark American IPA, this Tampa-brewed six-pack belongs on the shortlist.