IPA is the hardest beer style to pair with a cigar, and also the most rewarding one to get right. Hop bitterness and cigar smoke can clash badly if the cigar is too mild, leaving both the beer and the cigar tasting worse than they would on their own. Get the strength right, though, and the resin, citrus and pine in a good IPA actually amplifies the pepper and cedar in a full-bodied cigar.
The mistake most people make is reaching for whatever mild cigar is in the humidor. A delicate Connecticut shade will taste thin and flat next to a hoppy IPA, because the beer’s bitterness has nothing to grab onto. You want a cigar with real body: cedar, black pepper, maybe a little leather, something that can meet the hops instead of disappearing under them.
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IPA Cigar Pairings at a Glance
| West Coast IPA | Bell’s Two Hearted Ale with a Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary |
| Florida IPA | Cigar City Jai Alai with an Oliva Serie O |
A mild cigar will taste flat and thin next to a hoppy IPA. Match hop bitterness with real cigar strength, not the other way around.
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is the IPA every other American brewer measures themselves against: grapefruit, pine and a resinous hop bitterness that does not let up. It needs a cigar that can hold its own against that instead of getting flattened by it.
- Hop bitterness and cigar spice reinforce each other when matched right
- Good for cigar smokers who want more flavor, not less
- A mild cigar will taste flat and thin next to a hoppy IPA like this one
Cigar City Jai Alai and Oliva Serie O
Cigar City Jai Alai, a big, bold Florida IPA from a brewery that literally shares its name with the hobby, deserves its own callout. Pour it alongside a full-bodied cigar and let the citrus and pine hops meet the tobacco’s own spice.
- The name pairing alone makes this a conversation starter
- Bold enough to match a genuinely full-bodied cigar
- Not for anyone who wants a mellow, easy-drinking session
Hazy and New England IPA: A Different Approach
Hazy IPAs are lower in bitterness and higher in fruit and juice character than a West Coast IPA, so the same rulebook does not quite apply. Instead of matching a big peppery cigar to big bitterness, look for a medium-bodied cigar with some natural sweetness, closer to what you would pick for a wheat beer, so it complements the beer’s tropical fruit notes rather than fighting them.
- West Coast / classic IPA: a full-bodied cigar with cedar and pepper, like a Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary
- Florida / tropical IPA: a peppery Nicaraguan puro, like an Oliva Serie O
- Hazy / New England IPA: a medium-bodied, slightly sweet cigar, closer to what you would pick for a wheat beer
- Double or Triple IPA (8%+ ABV): your strongest cigar. These beers can match almost anything short of a full Maduro.
More Ways to Pair Beer and Cigars
IPA is just one style. For stouts, lagers, wheat beers and more, see the full beer and cigar pairing guide. If dark roasty beers are more your thing, we cover those in Best Cigars for Stout and Porter Drinkers.
FAQ
What cigar pairs best with a hoppy IPA?
A full-bodied cigar with cedar and black pepper notes, like a Rocky Patel 20th Anniversary or an Oliva Serie O. The cigar needs enough strength to stand up to the hop bitterness instead of getting overwhelmed by it.
Why does a mild cigar taste bad with an IPA?
Hop bitterness is aggressive, and a delicate cigar has nothing to offer back. The bitterness ends up dominating both the beer and the cigar, and the cigar can taste flat or even a little sour by comparison.
Do hazy IPAs need a different cigar than West Coast IPAs?
Yes. Hazy IPAs are lower in bitterness and higher in fruit character, so a medium-bodied cigar with some natural sweetness works better than the big, peppery cigar you would pick for a classic West Coast IPA.
Is there a beer and cigar name pairing worth trying just for fun?
Cigar City Jai Alai, a Florida IPA from a brewery literally named after the hobby, paired with an Oliva Serie O is the obvious one, and it happens to actually taste good together.
