Beer People are Good People- Cigar City for me

 

When a beer lover on Twitter (@Skurnie) mentioned that he had never had a taste of Troegs Nugget Nectar, I felt the need to share with him the goodness (I am fortunate enough to have my fair share of draft, bottle and cask Nugget Nectar), as well as a bottle of this past years Mad Elf.

He replied that he would then send me some good Florida brews- Cigar City. Cigar City is sometimes found around (mostly in the Philly area), but I haven't had the pleasure of trying any.  When I opened up the box from him, I was instantly excited. Seven bottles of goodness. 

The first that I knew I was going to drink was the Jai Alai. A beer that is probably the most known (maybe second, as Hunahpu has gained a bit of a cult status with their Dark Lord Day style release party.

Jai Alia poured a beautiful golden orange color, while citrusy aromas wafted from the glass. A bit of pineyness came from the head, but only on second sniff.  I couldn't resist the beer.  The intense grapefruit hops taste is the dominant feature, although the malt does not get lost.  A sweetness breaks through, giving it a touch of depth. The bitterness lingers throughout the beer, continually holding on though the moderate carbonation and mouthfeel.

Overall, this is a great IPA. Exactly what I look for in a bitter beer.  Delicious.