Big Swell IPA
Maui Brewing Co.

Big Swell IPABig Swell IPA
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From:
Maui Brewing Co.
 
Hawaii, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #2,804
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
85
Ranked #20,819
Avg:
3.78 | pDev: 10.58%
Reviews:
461
Ratings:
1,262
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 13, 2023
Added:
Jan 19, 2008
Wants:
  42
Gots:
  220
Tropical citrus hops burst from this dry-hopped India Pale Ale.

82 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by abeeronthebeach:
Photo of abeeronthebeach
Reviewed by abeeronthebeach from California

3.77/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A - An orange-tinged gold with a decent looking white foamin' head.

S - A healthy dose of citrus and hops.

T - Not as aggressive as I'd feared, although I was gagging slightly by the end of my pint (poured 2 cans into a glass). Robustly hoppy, with refreshing grapefruit segments. Got really bitter for me on the aftertaste towards the end.

M - Pretty nicely balanced, seemed to keep up with the tongue.

O - IPAs really aren't my thing, but I'm trying to change that which is why I went for the Big Swell. I was pleased not to be overwhelmed by the bitterness, and I always appreciate a nice grapefuity edge. Perhaps this style is starting to grow on me.
Oct 19, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.67 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden

Dec 13, 2023
 
Rated: 3.77 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois

Dec 04, 2023
Photo of MutuelsMark
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky

3.52/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Must say I’m somewhat disappointed. Smells and tastes like a light lager. Not any bitterness at all. For a light lager this would have scored higher.
Nov 10, 2023
Photo of Bitburger
Reviewed by Bitburger from Vermont

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The can says: Brewed by Maui Brewing Co. Denver Co...far away from HI but ok. The beer is average; dry hopped and sweet malty but I like the can ;)...
Oct 25, 2023
Photo of BigMac59
Reviewed by BigMac59 from Texas

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light amber to golden color with average sized head which dissipates quickly. Some nice lacing.
Aroma is fruity and some pine.
Taste is somewhat sweet, more than just maltiness, almost sugary. Not too unpleasant, but definitely not a typical IPA. The hops come through in the end and the finish is more typical of an IPA.
Mouthfeel is average.
A very average IPA.
Sep 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.78 by dd53grif from Michigan

Aug 24, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by iftcoach from Germany

Jul 09, 2023
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Our second to last El Niño… Raul was a youngster. Uncle Richard was our driver - amazing man. He once told us how he built a house for Marylin Monroe. And he also said that without make up on, she was still as beautiful as ever.

So we’d take our ride to the beach and hope for a pure west swell with offshore winds. Maybe 7 am, the sun barely up, the spray of a wave on you as you paddled out… and then that ultimate glory where you feel that “glide” and take off on a beautiful medium to head high wave. Ecstasy.

At 6 months old, this beer isn’t that. But it still has me thinking about it.
Jul 06, 2023
Photo of Khocolate
Rated by Khocolate from Tennessee

3.41/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Let me explain in just one word, Average at best.
May 19, 2023
 
Rated: 3.52 by SViterileroux74 from Texas

May 07, 2023
Photo of Emichaelbray
Reviewed by Emichaelbray from Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nothing special here, except for the lack of bitterness. That was pleasant. This came in a mix 12 pack that was on sale and I wanted the porter and golden ale. Kinda took the IPA as the L, because I don't generally dig IPAs. Actually I mostly loathe them. So, again, a pleasant surprise.
I know there are various IPA styles now. It all seems the same to me. Whatever the case, this beer is kinda cloudy. I'm not sure if IPA drinkers would agree but I notice a distinct cloudiness in the otherwise shiny gold looking pour.
Picking up the fruity IPA notes, probably pineapple and tangerine. Definitely notice the hops. It's almost skunky but not in a beer way. You know, the fun way.
I can't say I hate the taste. It's not overwhelmingly bitter but I like the flavor of the hops mixed with the, oh, juicy citrus? There's a hint of malt behind the citrus, a flavor profile similar to grapefruit kolsch that is hard to find.
It's a bit heavy for a May afternoon in Philly but it's going down smooth. It's Saturday, after all.
Overall I expected that I'd dump the IPAs in the mix if my neighbor didn't want them. Compared to that expectation, it's stellar. But, realistically, it's a pleasant beer in a style I dislike that I wanted to treat fairly. Whatever that says.
May 06, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by FLBeerGuy from Florida

May 06, 2023
Photo of RJLarse
Reviewed by RJLarse from Washington

3.86/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a gold color, slightly hazy, with a foamy white head. Smells of sweet pine and faint tropical fruit notes. Taste is well balanced with a sweet bread and mild fruit flavor. Very mild bitterness.
Apr 23, 2023
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz can into a pint glass. Canned 8/10/22, so 8 months old. Ouch.

Good look and head retention. Light tropical fruit on the nose. Taste initially sweet, then a spicy dry bitterness takes over. This is lasting.
Apr 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.67 by NRMeadmore from Connecticut

Apr 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.59 by AmitC from New York

Mar 30, 2023
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.89/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
March 2012: 355 ml can, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.8%. Golden colour, slightly hazy, large and lasting white head. Nice aroma of American hops, with fruity and piney notes, also some malts. The flavour is hoppy with notes of piney and grapefruity American hops - but not extreme for an American IPA. A touch of crystal malt sweetness. Bitter aftertaste. Pretty good beer.
Mar 16, 2023
 
Rated: 3 by prisdefer from New York

Feb 28, 2023
 
Rated: 3.87 by beergorrilla from Michigan

Feb 12, 2023
Big Swell IPA from Maui Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 1262 ratings