Cigar City Brewing is named for the city it’s brewed in— “Cigar City”, also known as Tampa, Florida. Years ago, Tampa was an unknown Florida town until a cigar tycoon moved his factory to the area. Since 2015, they’ve been brewing award-winning beer infused with local flavors, expect to find colorful names like Margarita Gose and Florida Cracker.
Tours
The tour at Cigar City gives a full picture of the brewing process. Expect it to take about 45 minutes to walk through the facilities. For $8, you get a souvenir glass and samples along the tour. Note: Make sure to wear closed toe shoes, they are required for safety reasons.
Tasting Room & Brewpub
The tasting room at Cigar City has over a dozen of their year-round, seasonal, and limited-edition beers on tap. In January 2020 the tasting room will introduce a full kitchen and an expanded footprint. You can also get local hand-rolled cigars.
In 2013 Cigar City opened a brewpub in the Tampa International Airport. They were the first onsite brewing operation and combined restaurant in a North American airport! The brewpub serves a selection of their freshly brewed beers and a full menu.
Notable Brews
One of their most popular beers is the Jai Alai IPA. Named for the sport that used to be popular in the Tampa area, this beer is a flavorful American IPA with intense citrus notes.
Sun over the Yardarm is a special release gin-barrel aged ale with lemon, lime, and orange zest. It’s a collaboration with three UK brewers: Thornbridge Brewery, Hawkshead Brewery, and Yeasty Boys.
The Humidor Series is a unique IPA. It’s similar to their Jai Alai, but with the added flavor of Spanish cedar— the wood used to make cigar humidors.
Special Event
Cigar City Brewing celebrates Hunahpu’s Day® every March, centered around the (very) limited release of their Hunahpu’s® Imperial Stout. This beer is only released once a year at the festival. Cigar City works with 120 other breweries at the festival to offer beer lovers the opportunity to taste some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after beers in unlimited 2-ounce pours while interacting with the brewers themselves. Entrance to Hunahpu’s Day® also grants you bottles of the Hunahpu’s® Imperial Stout, which is guaranteed to sell out.
Bonus: While in Tampa, stay at the Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection. The hotel is in the trendy South Tampa neighborhood, near great shopping and dining.
Cigar City Brewing
3924 W. Spruce Street
Tampa, FL 33607
