Jai Alai, a game native to the Basque region of Spain, is played on a court called a fronton. Jai Alai players attempt to catch a ball using a curved mitt whilst the ball travels at speeds up to 188mph! Proving they have a sense of humor the Spanish dubbed this game, with its ball traveling at racecar speeds, “the merry game.” Tampa was once home to a bustling Jai Alai fronton but sadly all that remains of Jai Alai in the Tampa Bay area is this India Pale Ale that we brew in tribute to the merry game. The India Pale Ale style of beer has its roots in the ales sent from England to thirsty British troops in India during the 18th century. Pair Jai Alai India Pale Ale with Beef Empanadas, Deviled Crabs and other spicy dishes. (Description provided by company)
Comments
Smooth American IPA
I now know why Cigar City Brewing's Jai Alai is so damn popular; it has strong hop presence in the nose but doesn't smack you with bitterness in the taste.
Jai Also poured out of a slightly dented can into pint glass a cloudy gold with a bright white head which dissolved to a film, but left lacing all over my glass the entire time. Citrus, especially orange, can be smelled before the pine straw smell comes along.
Taste is one of the more mellow American IPAs I've had. There is pine when I drink, but a malt sweetness comes along with it and the IPA barely slips into bitter territory (let alone how bitter American brewers have taken things lately, like trying to break some sort of IBU bitterness barrier).
I am not a fan of IPAs mostly because the pine and grapefruit traits, combined with the associated bitterness, start to accumulate on my tongue and get overbearing. Jai Alai is now an IPA I will select before others of the style.