(NW) Maui Brewing’s Big Swell India Pale Ale, Is A Should Try
Pacific Northwest - Already mid-way through the inaugural release of Maui Brewing Company's into Washington and Idaho, the brewery that has supplied Oregon with many Coconut Porters, has fast gained attention on the shelves throughout the area. After checking out the breweries definitions of a Helles and Porter, we moved onto their India Pale Ale dubbed Big Swell.
Produced in Maui but influenced by the West coast, this India Pale Ale features a familiar aroma and overall flavor we in the Northwest have enjoyed for decades.
Historically, the India Pale Ale get’s its influences from the United Kingdom and far off India, during a time when beer was as valued as water itself. Known for their English Pale Ales, the British Troops would expect ships carrying this ale to the shores of the Indian Colonies. Unfortunately beer was hard to transport and often did not last the trip, until the discovery of hops as a preservative. Today what you have in front of you is decades of American modification which results in a IPA style which is unique to the region.
Appreciating the history is always a great way to start and with that we jumped right into our first taste of the Big Swell India Pale Ale.
Maui's IPA begins by pouring into the glass reddish gold but with definite clarity. The head that rests like a cap is initially strong but dissipates leaving minor lacing inside the glass.
Taking a waft of the aroma in your nose you get minor floral, grapefruit citrus, some pint but an overall sweetness
Sipping on this we get the previously mentioned pine but also some minor grapefruit citrus with the beer finishing sweet with a medium weight on the tongue. Overall this beer would work well with its 6.30% alcohol. Suddenly a nice piece of salty brat' sounds good or some roasted pig. Luau anyone?
Our handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed from 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.
Our Thoughts
You Should Try. When one thinks of an IPA, this does not disappoint with it balance. Definitely one to have after a day spent outdoors or with some poultry or pork while barbecuing.
Thoughts By Your Colleagues
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11207/27364
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/maui-brewing-big-swell-ipa/36863/
Cheers
About the photos’ author
Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.
In accordance with new FTC regulations regarding bloggers and endorsements, the aforementioned company has provided me a free sample that was used for research prior to writing this review.
