HOPZ Craft Beer Cigars featured in Philly Beer Scene Magazine

Excerpted from Philly Beer Scene Magazine:

A Little Sip, A Little Smoke
by Alicia Eichelman

While food may be one of the best complements to craft beer, there is nothing like indulging in your favorite libation while smoking a finely made cigar. There are certain beer characteristics that pair perfectly with the smokey, rich taste of a cigar that allows the combination to play off one another, resulting in an exciting overload of the senses. Ted's Cigars, one of the world’s leading cigar makers, recognized the beauty of this pairing and took it one step further, creating HOPZ™, the world's first craft beer cigar. Ted's Cigars is known for their handmade cigars that often incorporate libations. From their Maker’s Mark® Cigars to the premium Grand Marnier® torpedo cigars, these high quality offerings all possess a luxurious taste that pairs perfectly with their counterparts. And HOPZ™ is no different, providing a natural companion to freshly poured IPAs.

HOPZ™ was conceptualized over, you guessed it, a couple of pints. After a night at a local pub, Founder Ted Jackson decided it was time to create a cigar that would complement his favorite IPA. Using Ted's secret aromatic process and experimenting for more than six months with dozens of craft beers and various hop varieties, Jackson decided on Centennial Hops, noting that their floral aroma would season the cigar sublimely. Jackson has said of his IPA sidekick, "We have captured the unique flavor of Centennial hops and combined it with a premium hand rolled Dominican Republic cigar to give the craft beer consumer the perfect cigar to smoke with their favorite brew. The result is a cigar that is a worthy complement to the great craft beers available today."

Whether you are looking for an introduction into cigars, love craft beer or are seeking the next great marriage in beer pairing, HOPZ™ provides the right blend of subtle floral undertones and savory nuances that only an innovation of this sort can. So sit back, pour a pint of your favorite IPA, light up a premium HOPZ™ cigar and prepare yourself for a pairing like no other.

You can also read the article online at phillybeerscene.com.