When it comes to enjoying the “fastest ball sport in the world,” there’s simply no better pairing than Jai Alai IPA from Cigar City Brewing. In fact, chances are you’ve already tried this refreshing beer without knowledge of the thrilling sport that inspires it.
Here’s a quick summary: Jai Alai is a ball sport, similar to racquetball, hailing from the Basque region of Spain. Once wildly popular in Florida, the sport has slowly faded out of the American sports scene. However, it’s finally seeing a resurgence in recent years alongside the delicious IPA of the same name.
Jai Alai, the beer, is instantly recognizable by its bright orange and green cans. It’s also come a long way since its creation in 2009 and can now be found in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores across the United States.
It’s more than just a citrusy India Pale Ale embraced by beer lovers for its tropical taste though. Cigar City Brewing actually named its flagship IPA after the sport. There aren’t many beers you can say that about.
So whether you’re a casual sports fan just learning about the sport of Jai Alai or a craft beer enthusiast who prefers a drink with a story, Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai IPA is ready to open up a whole new world of entertainment and flavors.
If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive into the history of Jai Alai, check out our full guide on the sport here.
How The Sport Of Jai Alai Inspired The Jai Alai IPA
While a beer inspired by a sport isn’t something you’d expect, it was something that made sense for the Tampa-based brewery.
“I thought that the game nicely encapsulated the spirit of American hoppy beers: over the top, borderline aggressive, yet still full of nuance,” explained Joey Redner, Founder of Cigar City Brewing.
With the ball reaching speeds of 188 mph, there’s no denying it fits the bill. But the Jai Alai IPA offers more than just a reference to the sport with its name.
Brewmaster Wayne Wamblee explains further how he brewed the beer to capture the Sunshine State’s culture, particularly that of Tampa.
“I created the beer because I wanted to emulate the feeling of what it would be like to drink Tampa culture. And that was produced in March 2009. And it’s also an IPA that focuses on tropical elements, pineapple, mango, citrus are all big components of Jai Alai. I already saw the potential in the beer from the very beginning. I knew that the hop bill had a lot of potential.”
Cigar City Brewing uses six different types of hop varietals to deliver a profile that’s bold and downright delicious. Tangerine and clementine lead the flavors, but hints of mango, orange, and pineapple also make their way in.
It’s a tropical escape that clocks in at 7.5% ABV, so be wary of how easy they are to crush.
Jai Alai, the sport, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023. Now that you’re familiarized with both the sport and the beer, it’s no question Cigar City Brewing has the perfect drink to celebrate the occasion.