CONGRATULATIONS to Dion Grimes of Bessemer, Alabama, whose comment was chosen randomly as the winner of  the HOPZ cigars prize pack. Thanks to everyone who participated; stay tuned because you never know when we’ll get some other beery prize to give away. (If you want to provide merchandise, tickets por other goodies for one, contact gerard@roadtripsforbeer.com).

If you still want to sample the HOPZ Craft Beer Cigar experience, you can purchase them through the Ted’s Cigars website or ask your local tobacconist.

Craft beer drinkers sometimes shy away from cigars, saying that the smoke interferes with their palates. Others feel that a quality hand-rolled cigar adds to the tasting experience.

I hold the latter point of view and always pack a few smokes in my travel humidor before embarking on a Road Trip for Beer because I’m never sure about the availability or cost of cigars at my destination.

But what if there were a cigar made specifically to pair with craft beer?

Wonder no more because Ted’s Cigars out of Louisville, Kentucky, recently introduced HOPZ – The Craft Beer Cigar. Aromatically seasoned with Centennial hops, this 6×50 Toro-sized stogie has been designed to pair with India pale ales and other hops-forward brews.

I recently had a chance to sample one of these sticks at Backroom Cigar in Celebration, Florida. It was paired with a delicious IPA brewed by Kent Waugh, head brewer at the Big River Grille & Brewing Works at the Walt Disney World Boardwalk Resort. Truth be told, I expected this to be a “gimmick” cigar, and was ready to dismiss it. But the Dominican Republic-produced cigar, with its Cameroon wrapper, Connecticut binder and Dominican filler proved to be a well-balanced, easy smoking, mild- to medium-strength cigar that indeed complemented the floral and citrusy elements of an American IPA.

The hops element was barely noticeable to me – mostly in the first third of the cigar – but as I smoked it down, the other flavors of the cigar blended for a truly enjoyable experience. It gets the Road Trips for Beer Seal of Approval (Disclaimer: that is by no means any sort of official designation).

But don’t take my word for it.

The good folks at Ted’s have made available a package to give away on Road Trips for Beer. Here’s what it includes:

• Four HOPZ cigars in sealed, airtight glass tubes (no humidor required!)
• A HOPZ Craft Beer Cigar T-shirt (XL)
• A HOPZ-branded bottle opener.

Here’s all you have to do.

Leave a comment below mentioning your favorite IPA and/or cigar.

To increase your chances:

• Follow @RoadTrips4Beer on Twitter and leave a separate comment below saying you did so. If you already follow, leave a comment saying so.
• Like Road Trips for Beer on Facebook and leave separate comment below saying you did so. If you already like the page, leave a comment saying so.

IMPORTANT: This is limited to U.S. residents because we’re springing for the shipping. If you use the Facebook comment feature, you MUST include an email address where we can reach you. If you are uncomfortable doing so, please use the regular comment application. Also, if you want to comment but are not interested in entering, you are welcome to, but please indicate that you do not want to be considered for the giveaway. Limited to those of legal smoking age (You may be asked to prove it).

A random winner will be chosen using the random.org service on Friday, June 3, 2011, at noon Eastern Time.

HOPZ cigars can be purchased through the Ted’s Cigars website or at many local tobacconists.

Good luck and long ashes!

Cigars!

A T-shirt!

A bottle opener!