Big Swell IPA - Maui Brewing Co. (Brewpub)

Takahiro

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bought a 6pack on KAUAI. Brought back 3 cans, and has been sitting in my fridge for 2 months. Here is the review

Appearence: light amber/brown. clear brew. nice foamy, white head to stay for a while.

Smell: A huge citrus aroma upfront. Nothing else

Mouthfeel: starts out with hop bitterness. smell of intense citrus hop aroma at the beginning. some maltiness may be felt, at the same time. This maltiness seem to increase with serving temperature yielding a better balance. Flavors dissapear rather quickly, leaving a dry feeling.

Drinkability: It is a good session beer, since it seems dry on mouth. do not expect IPA (bitterness that is) from this beer.

Serving type: can

02-27-2010 03:46:51 | More by Takahiro

terence

California

3/5  rDev -22.1%

06-12-2013 21:56:37 | More by terence

BryanCarey

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Maui Big Swell IPA has a nice appearance. It pours to an orange/tan colored hue and a moderate pour is all that is necessary to create a fluffy head of white foam. The beer has an interesting nose that showcases scents such as citrus, floral, and a touch of pine.

Moving to the taste, this beer has a lot going on. Pine and bread greet the taste buds first, followed by herbs, citrus, and earthiness. The beer finishes a little bit harsh, but still with a good bread/biscuit aftertaste.

I love IPA and I don’t mind the occasional brew that calls itself IPA but deviates somewhat from the norm. This beer seems to be doing just that. It isn’t all about the citrus, like so many other American IPA. It is much more to share, and its less bitter profile could make it a hit with those who are otherwise non- IPA fans.

However, this beer in many ways seems to have a little too much going on. It may offer a good deal of complexity, but it goes a little further than an IPA really should. It is also a little harsh in the finish, and that could be enough to turn IPA fans against it.

This beer isn’t the all- out hoppy brew that the manufacturer claims, and that could prove both good and bad depending on who you ask. Let’s just say that it’s an okay beer but not one of the greatest I have tried and in some ways a little too eccentric for its own good. It’s fine to try, but there are much better American IPA available.

Serving type: can

06-07-2013 04:09:50 | More by BryanCarey

Rosquin

Iowa

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-30-2013 11:42:28 | More by Rosquin

jbarletto

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-18-2013 21:38:28 | More by jbarletto

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -35.1%

05-08-2013 04:39:05 | More by tommyguz

THECPJ

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-03-2013 01:28:45 | More by THECPJ

jibbyvonjibb

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Orange-copper color, fairly pale for the style. Aroma is medium intensity. Grapefruit and pine. Some soapiness, which is a tad off-putting. Light body. Clean finish. Little hop bitterness. Slight acidity. A refreshing, light IPA (almost a Pale Ale). I was hoping for a more vibrant freshness, but it's still a good session beer.

Try again? Maybe.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 03:22:42 | More by jibbyvonjibb

drummermattie02

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

02-26-2013 11:57:41 | More by drummermattie02

RudnicsMEB

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

02-25-2013 03:32:03 | More by RudnicsMEB

deweese

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

01-07-2013 00:20:39 | More by deweese

pukahi91

Hawaii

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

01-06-2013 03:03:17 | More by pukahi91

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 355ml can into a Fullers snifter glass.

Pours a deep golden colour with a decent but quickly dissipating head.

Smells very malty forward.

Taste reflects this. There's a big hop punch at the start but no lingering bitterness. Light biscuity sweet malts.

Overall a bit of a disappointment. To be fair as this is an American IPA in the UK, it's probably a few months out of date.

Serving type: can

01-05-2013 15:05:32 | More by CwrwAmByth

flyersfan900

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

12-09-2012 20:09:01 | More by flyersfan900

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +3.9%

11-22-2012 02:51:12 | More by t0rin0

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -22.1%

11-06-2012 19:21:16 | More by cfalovo97

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap at the Westin in Maui, about 3 miles from the brewery.

Beer Facts: 6.8% ABV, 82 IBU's.

It begins with a smooth and malty flavor followed with a burst of hop. One improvement I would like to see would be making it less "thin bodied" but given where the majority of this stuff is consumed, it is just right.

This beer is not retired. It's back at 6.8% ABV, not at 6.3% ABV as is on recorded.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 22:56:16 | More by ExtraStout

2dogbrew

Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.1%

08-30-2012 21:35:36 | More by 2dogbrew

soupermirl

Mississippi

4/5  rDev +3.9%

08-27-2012 14:47:55 | More by soupermirl

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to my buddy Paul for passing this along to me. From a 355 ml can. Pours out a slightly hazed honey apricot hue, tall dense off-white head that slowly settles.

Grapefruit rind and pith at first in the aroma, some dry grainy malt, dry herbal and pine notes, and some tangerine citrus.

Dry clean flavour, at least up front. Dry grains at first, then a bready/honey-like sweetness pops up in the middle while tangerine, grapefruit pith and pine join it. Sweetness lingers into the finish, with more orange and some dry earthy and pine hop character.

Mouthfeel is medium-full, thick texture with moderate carbonation.

A nice diversion when it comes to this style, some interesting tweaks, although to my palate it doesn't all quite gel together to set it apart from the crowd moreso. Still a good offering, I wouldn't say no to more.

Serving type: can

08-18-2012 04:52:05 | More by IronDjinn

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Good ripe raw grapefruit nose in the can which disappears quickly for the pour. Relatively easy white one inch head (which surrenders no lacing at any point) caps a golden to slightly orangy coloured body. Bit fizzy, meium bodies with surprising malt centre and a nice bitter end makes for a good sweet bitter balance. Good ripe aftertaste too. Actually, quite a beer of substance.
Can't help bu think if this was brewed anywhere else on mainland AMerican soil it would be more highly regarded.

Serving type: can

06-15-2012 19:23:03 | More by Zimbo

cosmicevan

New York

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

retired, really? seems like some recent reviews and the can is stamped canned on 01-31-2012. thanks to my suitcase carrying friend for providing this night cap post tasting! enjoyed from an urthel oversized tulip.

a - brew poured a transparent orange with the classic huge ipa head and mega milkshake like chunky lacing.

s - somewhat musty with some citric hops and a nice malt backbone...bearing in mind that this was canned just over 3 months ago, still relatively nice hop presence, but definitely tamed back, as expected for the age.

t - some faded citric hops...great malt backbone, bitter finish. kind of barleywine like.

m - body is medium and a bit syrupy. some bitterness in the finish.

o - overall, a nice IPA, although i bet this was better fresh...the malts are more prominent and the hops are in the backseat...but a nice flavor profile. would prefer a bit more fresh, but i'll take it...great night cap. assuming that this was more hoppy fresh and considering the age, this is pretty good. thanks for the tick!!!

Serving type: can

05-10-2012 04:56:19 | More by cosmicevan

cisteve

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

04-07-2012 02:25:53 | More by cisteve

Bilco

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

03-24-2012 11:13:23 | More by Bilco

Amalak

New York

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It has a huge, foamy-white head that leaves a ton of lacing. There are a few big bubbles going up the side. Clear gold color...crystal clear. Hoppy scent with a mild lemon and malt undertone.

Very intense taste. It feels like a banana infused with some hops. There's a mild fruitiness to it, dark fruit like grape with a hint of watermelon. Complex all-around. Has a banana bread feel to it. Nice and complex for a simplish beer.

Serving type: can

02-25-2012 02:04:08 | More by Amalak