Confirming what many devotees in the local brew scene — and arguably, the Florida brew scene — already knew, Southern Living editors selected the mighty Jai Alai IPA by Cigar City Brewing as the state’s top craft beer.
Cigar City is included in the June 2014 issue of the magazine, which streets Friday and contains 50 pages dedicated to foodie interests. The mag’s photo-heavy “A to Z Guide to Southern Food” mentions Jai Alai under section “B” for beer.
It reads, “Regarded as one of the country’s best IPA-style beers, Jai Alai has notes of citrus and tropical fruit.”
According to a Southern Living press release, this latest issue focuses on the American South’s culture to date, including the “agricultural renaissance” and the condition of Gulf and Atlantic seafood.
The 32-page guide features 26 Southern people, locales, trends, DIY culinary strategies, such as canning, and more. A PDF version is available for readers.
So, go ahead. Bask in another nod to Tampa Bay’s brewing prowess.
This article appears in May 15-21, 2014.