Maui Brewing Co.'s "Big Swell IPA" is a "Handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with four different kinds of Northwestern hops and malted barley... dry-hopped to perfection."
This baby sports a 6.2%ABV and 65 IBU's.
Review:
The can cracks open... immediately I smell quite a bouquet of citrusy hops. Niiiiiccce! This is very obviously an American IPA. Holding the glass up to the light, it is a pale golden color. The picture above makes it look darker than it is in reality. The first flavors you taste after the first sip are sweet and malty, but these are paired with a nice grain texture that makes it obvious to you that this was made from an unrefined ingredient, and not some B.S. corn sugar adjunct. The body is nice, at a level that reminds you you're drinking something thicker than water, but not too thick. The flavor progression goes from sweet to sour to earthy/husky, to hoppy... then the hops just linger.
(Side note: Similar to Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale, the hops in this beer include "Chinook" hops, which are noted for their rustic taste and sharp bittering quality. I love this hop, but it isn't for everyone.)
This is a great example of an American IPA. The care taken to ensure balance, texture, body, flavor, and aroma is obvious. This beer is so tasty, and has so many enjoyable "beery" flavors, that unless you simply don't like IPA's, you have to say this is pretty good. When a company goes the extra mile and puts this much hops into dry hopping just to get the proper aroma, you know that they aren't being stingy with their beer.
Grade: A
This beer purchased at The Liquor Collection
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