El Segundo Broken Skull IPA 4Pk is a 6.7% ABV American IPA brewed in collaboration with WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin, available in a four-pack. With over 60,000 ratings on Untappd and a 3.8 out of 5 score, this West Coast–style IPA has built a loyal following since its 2014 launch — driven by genuine celebrity involvement in the recipe itself, not just a name on the label. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7% | Origin: El Segundo, California | Style: American IPA | Brewery: El Segundo Brewing Company Production & Heritage El Segundo Brewing Company, based in the coastal city of El Segundo, California, partnered with Steve Austin in 2014 to develop Broken Skull IPA. Rather than a standard licensing deal, Austin sat down with head brewer Rob Croxall to describe the exact characteristics he wanted in an IPA — a hop-forward beer with serious mid-palate punch. The resulting recipe leans on a trio of American hops — Cascade, Chinook, and Citra — each contributing distinct layers of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit character that define the beer's identity. Tasting Notes Aroma: Tropical fruit leads the nose, with mango and passion fruit giving way to piney resin and bright citrus. Beneath that initial burst, subtle floral notes from the Cascade hops round out the bouquet. Taste: The entry is citrus-forward — lemon peel and grapefruit rind hit first, followed by a robust mid-palate of pine and passion fruit driven by the Chinook and Citra additions. Moderate bitterness keeps things balanced, while earthy and lightly grassy undertones prevent the hops from becoming one-dimensional. The malt backbone stays restrained, letting the hop character do the talking. Finish: Medium in length with a pleasant tropical fruit linger and a clean, resinous bitterness that fades gradually. The finish is dry enough to invite another sip without any cloying sweetness. How to Drink Broken Skull IPA Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at 45°F to let the hop aromatics open up; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the tropical nose. At 6.7% ABV, this IPA is sessionable enough for a full four-pack sitting but has enough body to reward slower drinking. For mixed drinks, try a Hop Shandy — the citrus notes pair naturally with fresh lemonade on a hot day. A Michelada built with Broken Skull works well, as the pine and grapefruit rind cut through the tomato and hot sauce. It also holds up in a Beer Margarita, where the Citra hop tropicality amplifies the lime and tequila base. Best For Wrestling fans and Steve Austin enthusiasts looking for an authentic collaboration beer West Coast IPA drinkers exploring Southern California craft breweries Backyard grilling sessions where a hop-forward beer stands up to smoky, charred food Gifting to craft beer collectors who appreciate celebrity collaborations with real substance Frequently Asked Questions What does Broken Skull IPA taste like? Broken Skull IPA delivers a citrus-forward profile of grapefruit rind and lemon peel layered over piney resin and tropical passion fruit, with moderate bitterness and a dry, clean finish. How does Broken Skull IPA compare to Stone IPA? Both are hop-driven West Coast–style IPAs, but Broken Skull leans more heavily into tropical and citrus fruit character from its Citra hops, while Stone IPA tends toward a more aggressively bitter, piney, and earthy profile at a similar ABV. Is Broken Skull IPA good for IPA beginners? Its moderate 6.7% ABV and balanced bitterness make it approachable for those easing into the IPA category, though it still delivers enough hop intensity to satisfy experienced IPA drinkers. Where is Broken Skull IPA made? Broken Skull IPA is brewed by El Segundo Brewing Company in El Segundo, California, a small coastal city in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. What foods pair well with Broken Skull IPA? Grilled burgers benefit from the beer's pine and citrus cutting through fatty char. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes. Spicy buffalo wings are tempered by the moderate bitterness. Sharp cheddar cheese creates a savory contrast to the grapefruit and passion fruit character. Pepperoni pizza pairs naturally, with the dry finish cleansing the palate between bites. What sizes does Broken Skull IPA come in? Broken Skull IPA is commonly available in four-packs of cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer. Is Broken Skull IPA worth the price? Broken Skull positions as a mid-range craft IPA, priced in line with comparable four-packs from established California breweries — reasonable value given the quality hop bill and the fact that Austin's involvement in recipe development goes beyond typical celebrity branding. Why Broken Skull IPA? What separates Broken Skull from the crowded celebrity-endorsed beer landscape is the documented involvement of Steve Austin in the actual recipe development process alongside El Segundo's brewing team. The Cascade, Chinook, and Citra hop combination produces a layered, West Coast–style IPA that earns its following on flavor, not just fame — reflected in over 60,000 Untappd ratings. Brewed in one of Southern California's respected small-batch craft breweries, this is a collaboration that prioritizes the liquid in the can. For IPA drinkers who want bold citrus and pine character from a brewery with genuine craft credentials, Broken Skull delivers without pretense.
