Beers With Bob

Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: ~70 (typical for Jai Alai)
Brewery: Cigar City Brewing – Tampa, FL
Where I Got It: Pick-a-Pack at Wegmans
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.8/5)

Quick Summary

For the first official Beers With Bob review, I cracked open a Jai Alai IPA by Cigar City Brewing. This 7.5% IPA is a classic Florida craft beer, and I’ve been eager to give it a proper tasting after a rushed experience with it down in St. Pete a while back. This time, I took my time — and I’m glad I did. Jai Alai offers a solid balance of bitterness and malt sweetness, making it a hop-forward IPA that seasoned IPA drinkers will enjoy.

Bob’s Ratings

• Appearance: 7.5/10 — A rich golden-brown pour, slightly hazy with a nice initial head that dissipates over time.
• Aroma: 7/10 — Subtle but pleasant; lightly floral and citrusy without overwhelming the nose.
• Taste: 8/10 — A clean, hop-forward flavor with a good balance of malt sweetness and moderate bitterness.
• Drinkability: 8.5/10 — Surprisingly easy to sip for a 7.5% IPA; hard to put down once you start.

Tasting Notes

Right out of the fridge, Jai Alai pours beautifully — darker than a typical pale IPA, leaning toward a deeper golden-brown haze. The head forms nicely before slowly receding, leaving behind a thin lace on the glass. On the nose, it gives off light tropical and citrus aromas, but nothing overly punchy.

The first sip confirms it: Jai Alai is a classic IPA. The hops come through first, delivering bitterness upfront, but the malt backbone balances things out beautifully. It’s less sweet and citrus-forward than many modern hazy IPAs, which gives it a more traditional, West Coast-style vibe. Importantly, it’s not an overpowering IPA — there’s no need to pause between sips — making it dangerously easy to drink for its ABV.

Final Thoughts

Would I drink this again? Absolutely.
Would I recommend it to non-IPA drinkers? Probably not — this is an IPA lover’s IPA.

Cigar City Brewing nailed the balance here, and now I’m tempted to explore more of their lineup. Bonus points for the name — Jai Alai, the “world’s most dangerous sport,” makes for a bold branding choice that fits the beer’s personality. Overall, this is a solid, reliable IPA that deserves its reputation and spot in my pick-a-pack rotation.

Overall Rating: 3.8/5⭐
If you like hoppy, balanced IPAs, this one’s worth grabbing.

Thanks for joining me on this tasting adventure! Every beer has its own story, and I’m on a mission to explore as many as possible — one pint at a time. Whether you’re a casual drinker looking for something new, a dedicated hop-head hunting your next IPA, or just curious about what’s worth trying, there’s plenty more waiting for you here.

If you enjoyed this Jai Alai IPA review, check out more of my beer breakdowns and discover new favorites you may have never considered. I dive deep into appearance, aroma, taste, and drinkability, so you always know what to expect before you crack one open yourself.

And if you’ve tried this beer, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment, share your own tasting notes, and let’s build a community of craft beer explorers together.

Cheers to good beer, great stories, and better conversations. 🍻