Since opening in 2008, Cigar City has already brought home multiple awards from The Great American Brew Fest and continues to brew with a simple mantra. “To make the world’s best beer and to share with people near and far the fascinating culture and heritage of the Cigar City of Tampa.”
Cigar City is one of the hottest breweries in America. With double digit growth last year, the team from Tampa, Florida continues to turn out creative and complex beers. At this point in the game, creativity is subjective amongst craft brewers and somewhat of a hard characteristic to obtain. An IPA brewed with papaya, a pineapple Kolsch, and apple Saison are all fine examples of that creativity. Since opening in 2008, Cigar City has already brought home multiple awards from The Great American Brew Fest and continues to brew with a simple mantra — “To make the world’s best beer and to share with people near and far the fascinating culture and heritage of the Cigar City of Tampa.”
Location: Tampa, Florida
Type: Production
Available in DC Market: Limited Availability ( Churchkey , Schneider’s and several others have been known to occasionally offer limited selections. )
Beer #1: Oatmeal Raison Cookie (5.5 % ABV)
Beer Advocate: A- (107 Reviews)
Rate Beer: 98 Overall, 99 Style
Notes: Based of the already stellar Maduro Brown ale recipe, this variation has raisins, cinnamon and vanilla beans. A significant amount of reviews insist this really does take like an oatmeal raison cookie.
Beer #2: Humidor IPA (9% ABV)
Beer Advocate: A- (298 Reviews)
Rate Beer: 100 Overall, 100 Style
Notes: This IPA can hang with the best of ’em — yes, including the west coast IPAs — and is unique enough to make it stand out from the many others in competitive style. This is a unique beer and the cedar might throw you for a loop, but stay with it. The cedar is incorporated well, is not overbearing, and lets the hops dominate the profile.
I’m not sure it’s possible for me to give Cigar City a better endorsement. These guys are easily in my Top 10 list of American breweries and will certainly be a stand out at this year’s event. Please come back after SAVOR and tell me how right I am for once…
Also, Cigar City will be on hand at ChurchKey for what looks to be one of the best events of the week. Details on what they are pouring are still up the in the air but rest assured you will read it here first.
This profile is a part of the DCBEER.COM SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2011 SAVOR participants.
Beer Review Disclaimer: The beer reviews found on Beer Advocate and Rate Beer do not represent the opinions of this site. We provide these in the hope that they will serve as a resource showing what some craft beer fans have thought of the beers. These reviews can be a helpful guideline, but are not the be-all end-all about a beer’s strengths or weaknesses.
