Maui Brewing Company- Big Swell IPA: Happily Dazed & Confused

So there I was working diligently when a co-worker and friend, Melissa, said to me, “Don’t let me forget to give you something tomorrow”, and then walks out the door leaving me confused.  Alas, the next day comes and she says that her boyfriend, Billy, wanted me to have a can of Big Swell IPA from Maui Brewing Company.  I gratefully accepted and began to think about what sort of occasion would be adequate to open a single can from all-the-way across the country and across the pond in Hawaii.  I felt I had to share my experience so I brought it over to Jason’s house and said that we should both drink and review this beer.

Big Swell pours with a small dense head that has a sort of egg shell color.  The beer has an orange-ish gold color and the carbonation was moderate, but perfect for the style.  The aroma is fruity with notes of peach, apricot, and green apple. The hops add some spice and an intense grapefruit aroma.  The flavor is extremely well-balanced.  The strong sweetness of Big Swell is completely complemented by the hop bitterness.  The 6.2% ABV is hardly detectable giving this beer (Should I say it?) drinkability.

I am not the kind of person that would usually order more than one of any particular beer. With that said I would alter my normal pattern if a Big Swell IPA was sat in front of me.  In fact I could drink this all night long or at least until the daze subsided and better judgment demanded that it was time to stop myself.  Thanks Mel, Billy, and Maui Brewing Company for the opportunity to taste a beer I might not be normally able to try.

Consumed: Nonic Pint Glass

ABV: 6.2 %

Verdict: Buy a Case

Maui Brewing Company- Big Swell IPA: As Good As Getting Lei’d

Master Steve came over to bottle our super-big, super hoppy DIPA this evening and to my surprise he came armed with a couple of beverages of the canned variety.  Never would I have imagined that the beer he brought with him would be all the way from our 50^th state.  I am super stoked to be trying my first craft brew from Hawaii.  If anything I am more thankful that Steve’s friend Billy gifted this beer to him and that Hawaii Steve-O decided to share 6 oz of his 12 oz with me.  Damn, good friends are kick-ass.  I’m gonna grab a wave of brew and hopefully will be able to hang 10 on Maui Brewing Company’s Big Swell IPA…or will I crash & burn dude??

Maui Brewing Company classifies this brew as an India Pale Ale and their website describes Big Swell IPA as, “Our handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with four different kinds of Northwestern hops and malted barley…dry-hopped to perfection.  Its flavor begins smooth and malty and is followed with a big burst of dry-hop flavor.”

Big Swell IPA pours with a golden body with straw colored edges and a ½” eggshell white head.  The aromas are an abundance of grapefruit, green apple Jolly Ranchers and a slight peach while being 6.2% ABV.

What majorly sucks is that I only got to experience 6 ounces and what’s even better… is that I got to try 6 ounces.  I probably would have never had the chance to try this brew because God knows the chance that I’ll ever get to Hawaii is slim to none.  Thankfully, Steve kindly shared this brew with me and I’m glad he did.  This is a great IPA.  Big Swell IPA is super balanced with complimentary malt sweetness and grapefruit hop bite that is symbiotic in nature.  The carbonation is just right as it helps deliver that big swell of flavor that finishes as dry as you would catching a wave all the way to the beach.  This brew is as good as a beautiful day on the island catching waves and soaking up some sunshine.  The downside is that I won’t be enjoying either anytime soon.  If you can catch a Big Swell IPA anytime soon, I recommend doing so because it is just as good as getting lei’d.

Side Note:  My favorite suds slinger notified me that if it wasn't for her, Billy wouldn't have been in a position to acquire the Big Swell IPA...Big Props to Mel!!!  Sorry!

ABV: 6.2%

Consumed: Nonic Pint Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case