Our twelfth of 12 candidates for America's Next Top Beer ...

Jai Alai IPA
Cigar City Brewing -- Tampa, Fla.

There are some fantastic things, uh, brewing in Tampa, thanks to the good folks at Cigar City.

"A true microbrewery, they brew eclectic beers that they would have created personally, as homebrewers -- and they do it exceptionally well," The Beer Sommelier gushes. "Using unconventional ingredients and production methods and wandering way outside traditional style guidelines, they've filled an extremely successful niche, catering to uber beer connoisseurs."

But while catering to hopheads, the Cigar City crew also claims to be "the people's beer," and their Jai Alai IPA may be the brew to turn on the masses. A creamy amber IPA, Jai Alai unleashes waves of flavor, first introducing a malty sweetness, then a rich, hoppy bitterness that draws raves from aficionados and novices alike. "[They're] definitely on the fast track to success," the Beer Wench tells us.

The final word:

The Beer Sommelier: "Piney"

To see a roundup of all the nominated beers, and to get more information on our Microbrewed Beer of the Month giveaway, check out our America's Next Top Beer hub.

Which microbrew should be America's Next Top Beer?
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale104 (1.2%)
Alpha King252 (2.9%)
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout 411 (4.8%)
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale882 (10.3%)
Brooklyn Lager649 (7.5%)
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA 262 (3.0%)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA1198 (13.9%)
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA417 (4.9%)
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber2488 (28.9%)
Ommegang Abbey Ale369 (4.3%)
Stone Pale Ale1204 (14.0%)
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious361 (4.2%)