the beers of Waikiki (and kind of Iwakuni): Maui brewing Big swell IPA

I've sent the big swell IPA to a number of people and I've never heard anything but praise from it. It owns two brewpubs on Oahu and It's Big Swell IPA has been my go to beer out here. Tonight, before I go, I'm having that one. I bought a six pack specifically to have it for this review. You can get them at about every convenience store in Oahu, and I suggest you do. I typically only want do do brews I've never had or have only had once, but this one could not go unmentioned. This was a beer so good it deserved a special edition.

They redesigned the can while I was out here, it used to be a blue can with white labeling, but now it is the opposite. Fortunately, canning is easily accessible to the small brewer and allows them to keep their beer hidden from the dangers of the sun without the cost of dark bottles. It's in a more modern mid century modern minimalist style with the wave in a Polynesian tribal style. Devin Kingsley would love it. The can states "Big Swell IPA, tropical citrus hops burst from this dry-hopped India Pale Ale". It is 6.8% abv and 12 oz per can. The can also says "Crafted with passion from the heart of paradise. We are an innovative and independent brewery. Welcome to the 'Ohana". Yes indeed.

(due to operational concerns, I was not able to finish the review in Hawaii so it will be finished in Iwakuni)

Nose from the can is floral and citrusy, pungent really. Color is a deep orange brown, head is frothy and white. There is considerable life within the glass, a couple of floaters, whether they are yeast cultures or bits of hopp flower I cannot say. Leaning towards the hopp flower bits. Nose from the glass exemplifies more of the floral characteristics. On first sip, it is grassy and citrusy with a slightly dry finish. It has a little bit of a pine quality as well. It has a lower medium body and low acidity. Has a little bit of an alcohol bite, but it's not immediately noticeable.

I finally got the 3D printer and put it together last week end. I didn't have the necessary tools to calibrate it so I had to wait until this weekend to get everything ready. Finally got everything physically set up perfect so I plugged the Arduino Mega 2560 that runs it into my computer and that's when the nightmare began. I've been trying for two days to get this thing to work with my computer, but to no avail. No matter what I do, I cannot get Windows to recognize that the microcontroller is even there. Lights come on on the board, it's getting power, but windows is like "yea dude (lights bud at the end of roach clip, Windows looks and sounds like comedian TJ Miller on an old dirty couch, by the way), I have no Idea what you're talking about". And I'm like "but Windows, you're supplying power to it. How can you not know it's there?" and Windows is all "Geezum sparky. Slow you're roll. I don't report the munitions manuals and conspiracy theory [exploitative deleted] you've been looking at, why you gotta be tracking my power like that? You got some programs or device drivers for this thing?". I give Windows the files, it takes a large hit from it's roach clip, the cherry imoliates the end of the bud and spreads throughout it's bird nest structure, Windows 8.1 holds it for a second and then smoothly lets out a ball of thin, wispy smoke. Windows looks through the files, "you want me to download these? they don't even have authorization signatures." I restart windows and make it install the program and drivers. Windows wakes back up, looks at me, takes another hit and says as it releases the smoke "Error code 10 buddy, device not found". I look at Windows with contempt and say "I swear I'm going to Linux". "yea, like that nerd can help you" Windows says, taking another hit.

Final thoughts, I wish I could find this beer outside of Hawaii, it is a truly good IPA. It's flavorfull, but not overpowering. It's easy to drink, but not watery. It's one of the better general purpose IPA's I've ever had. I give this beer my blurry seal of approval.