Maui Big Swell 750ML

Maui Big Swell IPA 750ML is a dry-hopped American India Pale Ale brewed in Kihei, Hawaiʻi, at 6.8% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This hop-forward IPA earned Silver medals at both the 2016 Denver International Beer Competition and the 2016 International Beer Challenge in London, and carries an 85-point rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.8%  |  Origin: Kihei, Maui, Hawaiʻi  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Maui Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Maui Brewing Company, founded in 2005, is Hawaiʻi's largest craft brewery and operates a grid-independent production brewery, restaurant, and tasting room in Kihei on Maui's south shore. Big Swell IPA is dry-hopped with a five-hop bill of Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe — all Northwestern varieties — and balanced against a malt backbone of Munich and Crystal malts. The result is a firmly bitter IPA with an IBU in the range of 70–82 that leans heavily on tropical and citrus aromatics without sacrificing malt structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus hops — grapefruit and orange — lead the nose, layered with pineapple and floral notes. Underneath, sweet caramel malt and a light grain character provide balance.

Taste: The entry coats the tongue with hop resin immediately, giving way to a burst of tropical fruit at mid-palate: passion fruit, papaya, and pineapple mingle with piney hop bitterness. Crystal malt sweetness anchors the middle, keeping the bitterness from running away, while grapefruit citrus peel and a touch of lime add sharpness toward the peak.

Finish: Long, dry, and firmly bitter, with lingering resin and citrus peel that slowly fade. The mouthfeel is smooth and moderately creamy, lending body that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Big Swell IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at 45–50°F to let the aromatic hop oils fully express. Big Swell drinks well on its own but also stands up in hop-forward beer cocktails. A Beermosa works here, where the IPA's tropical citrus character amplifies fresh orange juice. A Hop Shandy — equal parts Big Swell and house-made lemonade — tames the bitterness while highlighting the lime and grapefruit notes. For something bolder, a Michelada built with Big Swell adds resinous depth against the tomato and hot sauce base.

Best For

• Bringing a standout Hawaiian craft beer to a backyard cookout
• Gifting a hop-lover something outside the mainland IPA rotation
• Pairing with grilled seafood or spicy island-style dishes
• Exploring Hawaiʻi's craft beer scene without booking a flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Swell IPA taste like? Big Swell IPA delivers bold tropical fruit — pineapple, passion fruit, and grapefruit — over a smooth, moderately creamy body with a long, dry, resinous bitter finish anchored by Munich and Crystal malt sweetness.

How does Big Swell compare to other American IPAs? Big Swell leans more tropical and citrus-forward than many West Coast IPAs thanks to its Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe hop combination, while its Crystal malt backbone gives it more malt sweetness than typical haze-style IPAs.

Is Big Swell IPA good for IPA beginners? At 6.8% ABV and with noticeable malt balance behind the hops, Big Swell is approachable for drinkers moving into IPAs, though its firm bitterness is squarely hop-forward rather than mild.

Where is Big Swell IPA made? Big Swell IPA is brewed at Maui Brewing Company's grid-independent production facility in Kihei on the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi — the state's largest craft brewery since its founding in 2005.

What foods pair well with Big Swell IPA? Grilled mahi-mahi benefits from the beer's citrus brightness; spicy Thai curry mirrors its tropical aromatics; fish tacos with mango salsa complement the pineapple and passion fruit notes; a sharp aged cheddar contrasts the hop bitterness; and grilled pineapple as a dessert echoes the IPA's fruit character.

What sizes does Big Swell IPA come in? Big Swell IPA is commonly available in 12 oz cans (singles and six-packs) and in 750ml bottles.

Is Big Swell IPA worth the price? Big Swell positions as a mid-range craft IPA that justifies its price point with dual Silver medals from international competitions, a five-hop dry-hop bill, and the distinction of being brewed at Hawaiʻi's largest — and grid-independent — craft brewery.

Why Big Swell IPA?

Big Swell stands apart from the crowded American IPA field on the strength of its five-hop combination — Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe — which delivers a genuinely tropical profile that reflects its Hawaiian origin rather than following a mainland template. The 2016 Silver medals in both Denver and London confirmed it holds up against international competition. Maui Brewing Company's grid-independent facility in Kihei adds a sustainability story few mainland breweries can match, and the Munich and Crystal malt backbone keeps this from being a one-dimensional hop bomb. With over 106,000 ratings on Untappd and consistent critical approval, Big Swell has earned its reputation as one of Hawaiʻi's defining IPAs.