And the Valley Drinks: Cigar City Invasion

Still working through one of Florida’s finest breweries, this time with a more traditional Pale Ale, Cigar City’s Invasion:

The people of Tampa Bay have fallen prey to Pirate invasion every year for well over 100 years. After more than a century of failing to repel these seafaring raiders in their anachronistic wooden ships, despite access to modern sea, land and air arsenals that ostensibly should make short work of wind powered vessels equipped with naught but cast iron cannons and raging scurvy, it occurred to the folks of Cigar City Brewing that if you can’t beat them start saying Arrrr Matey! And so we have brewed Invasion Pale Ale, a citrusy and tropical session beer brewed for those long days of marauding, pillaging and pirating. Cheers!

Brought home a six-pack of cans on a recommendation. This is a beer that prides itself on being a hoppy, yet sessionable ale and I’d say it hits the mark, and right at 5 percent alcohol by volume.

Review

The color is very vibrant on the pour, and you see a little bit of body to it, although the texture isn’t heavy at all. The bouquet is kind of lemony, with some floral notes over a malty backbone. You definitely get the hops and it’s kind of exactly what you expect out of a pale ale. The opening matches the color, with a bit of lemon peel on the open, then a short burst of malt before a nice roll over those English hops with just a bit of bite at the end. Good representation of the style. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it fits the weather and pairs well with a nice piece of fish. 3.75 out of 5 stars.