Breakside IPA vs Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA: Which Should You Drink?

HOPIQ FACEOFF

Breakside IPA

Breakside Brewery

United States · American IPA

hopIQ rank #1615

90%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA

Maui Brewing Company

United States · American IPA

HOPIQ TAKE

Breakside IPA if you want something that drinks lighter and lets the hops whisper, Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA if you want a beer with more backbone and presence. Both sit at 60 IBU, so bitterness isn't the deciding factor—it's really about weight and finish. Breakside's half-point lower ABV makes it feel snappier, tighter in the mouth. Big Swell has that extra alcohol warmth that makes it feel more substantial, more like a proper meal of a beer.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Breakside IPA when…

→You're planning to have 2–3 beers and want to stay sharp
→You prefer hops that are crisp and defined rather than blended into sweetness
→It's a weeknight or you're pacing yourself

Pick Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA when…

→You're settling in for the evening and want a beer with more presence
→You like a slight malt sweetness balancing the bitterness
→You prefer beers that feel more substantial in your hand and mouth

SIDE BY SIDE

	Breakside IPA	Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA
ABV	6.4%	6.8%
Bitterness	Strongly bitter	Strongly bitter
Colour	Golden	Golden
Style	American IPA	American IPA
Origin	United States	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

10 shared · 2 distinct

Both beers

hoppycitrusyresinouscleanpineybitterfruitycrisprefreshingorange

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Breakside IPAMaui Brewing Big Swell IPA

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Breakside IPA

HoppyCitrusyResinous

Breakside IPA has this clean, almost austere quality that sneaks up on you. The hops are there—citrus and pine cutting through—but they're not aggressive about it. It's the kind of beer that finishes dry enough to make you want another sip immediately. There's no heaviness dragging behind; it's built for drinking more than one, which feels intentional.

Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA

HoppyCitrusyResinous

Big Swell comes in with more texture, a slight sweetness in the middle that the 6.8% ABV amplifies just enough to notice. The hop profile is similar in theory, but they land softer because there's more malt floor beneath them. It's a beer that wants to be savored a bit, that's comfortable taking up space on your palate. Finishes with a gentle warming sensation rather than a quick snap.

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