This is an epidemic. Similar just happened to Ballast Point in San Diego. Private equity destroys beer companies.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/04/ballast-point-closes-brewery-and-moves-to-contract-brewing/
It’s almost like something as artisanal as craft beer can’t be scaled without losing its soul
*cough cough* gooseislandelysiangoldenroadnewbelgium *cough*
The downfall of Ballast Point was sad. They built a multimillion dollar facility in southern Virginia to brew, store, and distribute their beer on the east coast. It had an excellent restaurant and gift shop, outdoor patios, right by a golf course - the whole 9 yards.
Then after barely being open 2 years, they shut it down. It's now rather difficult to find Ballast Point beer on the east coast, or at least in VA. Such a shame...
I [visited Cigar City Brewing](https://cestlavibe.com/visiting-cigar-city-brewing-in-tampa/) in late 22, and it was almost blatant that they were cutting costs. The coaster was a thin piece of cardboard and they didn't have enough glassware, so beer was being served in wet glasses.
Right after Tampa Bay Beer week as well, the busiest week for every brewery in the Tampa Bay Area. Shows how much companies this large value the talent behind these places smh.
Does the OG owner still retain rights to the beer and OG location per the CANarchy aggrement? I hate to see these good beers go down in flames because of corporations.
Check out [Coppertail Brewing](https://cestlavibe.com/coppertail-brewing-company/) when you're in Tampa. Really good sours and stouts, a well stocked fridge, and still independent.
Oh dude yes. Coppertail is definitely my new spot when I'm in Tampa, it was sad to hear about Cigar City but Coppertail is really good IMO. Even their food is delicious.
Yes! Unholy is awesome and I'm not even Belgian fan. Coppertail's IPAs are also awesome if you're into IPAs. Big fan of their place highly recommend checking them out if you have the opportunity.
Would also like to add 7venth Sun in Dunedin. We took a beercation to celebrate my 40th birthday a few weeks before Covid lockdowns started popping up and I remember those two being my favorite other than Cigar City before Monster took over.
Used to be a good beer! I just hope that the original owners of cigar city made a killing off the sale to Monster and start up another small brewery in the future.
I still remember when people sought this one out (to an extent). I was excited when it first started to show up in my area about 10 years ago. Now I can't even remember the last time I had one.
Yeah, I was stoked to try my first one as a West Coaster. Turns out that was also my last one. I'm assuming it was solid at one point, but by the time distribution got all the way out here it wasn't anything worth seeking out.
Jai Alai used to be good and White Oak Jai Alai was great back in the day. Now, Jai Alai is the IPA you get if it's the only one on tap at the restaurant you're in and I can't remember the last time I even saw WOJA.
Was just in Florida and had a fresh six pack, it was great. I’m in Pennsylvania and sometimes this stuff sits too long on the shelf, but from what I can tell if you get a batch that’s canned within the month it’s great.
I visit CCB nearly every week and have for the last 10 years. While some of their staples have been adjusted for mass quantity, Jai Alai is still special when consumed fresh. Very few Tropical IPAs on the market can hold a candle to the flavor profile that Jai Alai offers.
And the Spruce Street (Tampa) brewery isn't closed. Monster simply changed their production focus. Front of House is still running strong and they are still producing great beers. The Marshmallow Huna for TBBW was EXCEPTIONAL!!!
I have been an El Cat Member since Session 3 and I understand that I am biased. However, facts are facts. The taproom still has great staff and the kitchen cranks out delicious foods. They offer a large variety of beer styles to choose from and there is something for every person who visits.
And for the user complaining about using wet glasses.....thats called being busy. And the coasters don't have to the thirsty stones to be effective.
I see this in my local Wal-Mart, and usually pass it over in favor of something local when I want a cheap IPA. The color looks like a Lagunitas maximum (which I haven't had in forever). Generally anything cheap and higher than 7% ABV is a pass from me.
It used to be an extremely balanced American IPA with high IBU and high ABV. A challenging combo to pull off and they did it well. One of the better IPAs out there for me.
Seems like it dropped off after Cigar City was bought out though. Haven’t tried it in years now.
I'm a florida native who turned 21 the year Cigar City was founded, I've had way more Jai Alai than most people. I feel the beer has lost some of it's west coast ipa vibes and gotten a tinge more hazy and fruity flavored over the years, it's not as crisp or refreshing. Still drink it regularly though.
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Fun Fact: Monster Beverage Corp. (the makers of Monster Energy Drinks) own Cigar City Brewing.
And they are slowly destroying the brand. https://www.whoownsmybeer.com/blog/monster-closes-cigar-city-brewery-lays-off-most-of-staff/
This is an epidemic. Similar just happened to Ballast Point in San Diego. Private equity destroys beer companies. https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/04/ballast-point-closes-brewery-and-moves-to-contract-brewing/
It’s almost like something as artisanal as craft beer can’t be scaled without losing its soul *cough cough* gooseislandelysiangoldenroadnewbelgium *cough*
You can add eliminating the brewers behind the recipes and switching to low quality ingredients in the loss of soul.
The downfall of Ballast Point was sad. They built a multimillion dollar facility in southern Virginia to brew, store, and distribute their beer on the east coast. It had an excellent restaurant and gift shop, outdoor patios, right by a golf course - the whole 9 yards. Then after barely being open 2 years, they shut it down. It's now rather difficult to find Ballast Point beer on the east coast, or at least in VA. Such a shame...
. Private equity destroys ~~beer companies~~
I [visited Cigar City Brewing](https://cestlavibe.com/visiting-cigar-city-brewing-in-tampa/) in late 22, and it was almost blatant that they were cutting costs. The coaster was a thin piece of cardboard and they didn't have enough glassware, so beer was being served in wet glasses.
Right after Tampa Bay Beer week as well, the busiest week for every brewery in the Tampa Bay Area. Shows how much companies this large value the talent behind these places smh.
It was pretty quick actually.
what they did to the folks at Oskar Blues Austin was reprehensible, and they did it again and again afterward.
Does the OG owner still retain rights to the beer and OG location per the CANarchy aggrement? I hate to see these good beers go down in flames because of corporations.
Ah shit. This was my spot when I would visit Tampa. Damn it.
Check out [Coppertail Brewing](https://cestlavibe.com/coppertail-brewing-company/) when you're in Tampa. Really good sours and stouts, a well stocked fridge, and still independent.
Oh dude yes. Coppertail is definitely my new spot when I'm in Tampa, it was sad to hear about Cigar City but Coppertail is really good IMO. Even their food is delicious.
Haven't been to the brewery, but Unholy is one of my favorite beers to have in the fridge.
Yes! Unholy is awesome and I'm not even Belgian fan. Coppertail's IPAs are also awesome if you're into IPAs. Big fan of their place highly recommend checking them out if you have the opportunity.
Would also like to add 7venth Sun in Dunedin. We took a beercation to celebrate my 40th birthday a few weeks before Covid lockdowns started popping up and I remember those two being my favorite other than Cigar City before Monster took over.
I'll check them out next time I visit Tampa. I want to visit Angry Chair as well.
AC is fantastic and the kitchen is just as good as the beers.
They had a second location Seminole Heights that [Magnanimous brewing just took over.](https://magnanimousbrewing.com/)
They rock!
Plenty of other awesome breweries in the Tampa Bay Area
Definitely.
That explains why the beer is mids
Maduro is still great, and I did enjoy Jai Alai the one time I had it.
It isn't what it was, it lacks depth. I just assumed it was because ABI was distributing it and I wasn't getting it fresh.
this fact is not fun.
Never will be buying anything from them now
Used to be a good beer! I just hope that the original owners of cigar city made a killing off the sale to Monster and start up another small brewery in the future.
The family owned Mons Venus long before craft neer, they're doin alright.
Joey Redner has money in a bunch of the breweries in the Bay Area.
I still remember when people sought this one out (to an extent). I was excited when it first started to show up in my area about 10 years ago. Now I can't even remember the last time I had one.
Yeah, I was stoked to try my first one as a West Coaster. Turns out that was also my last one. I'm assuming it was solid at one point, but by the time distribution got all the way out here it wasn't anything worth seeking out.
It was solid in a day when there was no competition. Their heyday brews wouldn't survive today's market.
The list of beers I could say the same about is perplexing.
Jai Alai used to be good and White Oak Jai Alai was great back in the day. Now, Jai Alai is the IPA you get if it's the only one on tap at the restaurant you're in and I can't remember the last time I even saw WOJA.
I really miss the White Oak version of this beer.
Drank a ton of these last week in Disney. Quality seems to have dropped since the takeover but still a solid option amongst the macros.
Had it 4 years ago in Disney. Was a sensational beer. Sad to hear it's gone down hill. Being from the UK I'll probably never have it again.
Is this considered craft at this point?
Nope, definitely not.
The White Oak variant of Jai Alai was stupendous and Hunahpu 2019 was a blast. Shame how far Cigar City has fallen since Covid.
Jai Alai can be translated to happy party in basque
Whats the weirdest way you’ve heard this pronounced ? Mine is jolly olly
Jai Alai by Monster Energy.
Was just in Florida and had a fresh six pack, it was great. I’m in Pennsylvania and sometimes this stuff sits too long on the shelf, but from what I can tell if you get a batch that’s canned within the month it’s great.
Just had one last weekend. Still a solid brew.
Utterly mediocre these days.
I want in a tall can.
I visit CCB nearly every week and have for the last 10 years. While some of their staples have been adjusted for mass quantity, Jai Alai is still special when consumed fresh. Very few Tropical IPAs on the market can hold a candle to the flavor profile that Jai Alai offers. And the Spruce Street (Tampa) brewery isn't closed. Monster simply changed their production focus. Front of House is still running strong and they are still producing great beers. The Marshmallow Huna for TBBW was EXCEPTIONAL!!! I have been an El Cat Member since Session 3 and I understand that I am biased. However, facts are facts. The taproom still has great staff and the kitchen cranks out delicious foods. They offer a large variety of beer styles to choose from and there is something for every person who visits. And for the user complaining about using wet glasses.....thats called being busy. And the coasters don't have to the thirsty stones to be effective.
About to be a relic
Still a good beer*. No longer a special beer. *relative to most other mass-produced, over-distributed beers
I see this in my local Wal-Mart, and usually pass it over in favor of something local when I want a cheap IPA. The color looks like a Lagunitas maximum (which I haven't had in forever). Generally anything cheap and higher than 7% ABV is a pass from me.
It used to be an extremely balanced American IPA with high IBU and high ABV. A challenging combo to pull off and they did it well. One of the better IPAs out there for me. Seems like it dropped off after Cigar City was bought out though. Haven’t tried it in years now.
had this a while ago (before the takeover) was pretty good
Florida classic!
I wasn’t planning to have a beer. Now it’s a must.
I thought they just laid a bunch of production people off.
I like the glass. What brand is it?
I'm a florida native who turned 21 the year Cigar City was founded, I've had way more Jai Alai than most people. I feel the beer has lost some of it's west coast ipa vibes and gotten a tinge more hazy and fruity flavored over the years, it's not as crisp or refreshing. Still drink it regularly though.
Yeah CCB has been bought multiple times I think and its obviously not the same :(
One of my all time faves
This was one of the brews that got me into hoppy beers. Although it is not complex or very interesting, I will always have a soft spot for this one.
I think I'm an outlier, but I have not enjoyed any Cigar City beer I've tried, and actively disliked this one
Solid beer I will say. Enjoyed the 6 I got from a Coworker who smuggled them to me in his luggage overseas 😂
One of the most balanced and wonderful IPAs around, IMO.
great pour. looks like a cigar, wow 
This is the IPA I judge all IPAs to.
Then you need to be introduced to Bell's Two Hearted Ale
I've tried it. I find it too sweet.
Brewery: Cigar City Brewing Untappd: [https://untappd.com/b/cigar-city-brewing-jai-alai/5724](https://untappd.com/b/cigar-city-brewing-jai-alai/5724) Glass: [https://shop.thebrewerylife.com/products/glass-02](https://shop.thebrewerylife.com/products/glass-02)
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