hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Invasion

Tap to rate

Citrusy and tropical, Invasion is a 5.0% Pale Ale made as a session beer for long days of marauding, pillaging and pirating. Tampa Bay has fallen prey to a pirate invasion every year for well over 100 years, and Cigar City, founded there in 2009, decided that if it could not beat the pirates, it would join them.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalcitrusyfruity
tropical
citrusy
fruity
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced citrus and tropical fruit notes that dominate immediately.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Invasion

◎ Appearance

Invasion presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and lively carbonation evident throughout. The head forms quickly and maintains fine, persistent lacing around the glass. The visual impression is clean and inviting, characteristic of a well-crafted session pale ale.

golden, brightclearpersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced citrus and tropical fruit notes that dominate immediately. Grapefruit zest and orange peel mingle with hints of pineapple and mango, while a subtle grassy hop character adds definition. Underlying pale Malz provides a soft, clean foundation that supports rather than competes with the aromatic hops.

citrus, grapefruittropical fruitgrassy hopsclean malt

◐ Taste

The palate enters crisp and refreshing, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors mirroring the nose. Mid-palate displays a light biscuity malt character that balances the hop-forward profile without becoming heavy. Bitterness builds gradually to a moderate finish, providing structure and dry crispness that invites another sip.

citric, tropicalbiscuity maltmoderate bitternessdry, crisp

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively short, with lingering citrus notes fading into a pleasantly dry aftertaste. No harsh bitterness remains—instead, a refreshing quality persists that emphasizes the beer's sessionability.

citrus fadedry aftertasterefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Invasion

More from Cigar City Brewing

Café Con Leche
Café Con Leche
Sweet Stout
6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cigar City Florida Man DIPA
Cigar City Invasion Pale Ale
Cigar City Invasion Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
American IPA
7.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale
Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale
Brown Ale
5.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Cigar City Oktoberfest
Cigar City Oktoberfest
Märzen
5.8%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Cosmic Crown
Cosmic Crown
Golden Ale
9%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Cubano-Style Espresso
Cubano-Style Espresso
Brown Ale
5.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tropical, citrusy, fruity character as Invasion will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →