There has been a tremendous improvement in the locally-brewed beers. We have seen more and more brands taking center stage, and the Broken Skull IPA is one such beer. It was designed by Steve Austin and ESBC for the working class.
The main distinguishing features of the Broken Skull IPA are the Citra, Chinook, and Cascade hops, all of which give it a big flavor and an easy finish. But what more should you know about this beer? Read on to find out all the details.
The History Of The Broken Skull IPA
The Broken Skull first arrived on the market in 2015, but its distribution was only limited to Southern Carolina. That was the same year when the beer was born. It was an initiative of Stone-Cold Steve Austin, the wrestler. His love for beer was quite evident even during his days in the ring. He brought the idea and partnered with ESB to produce the Broken Skull.
The El Segundo Brewing Company (ESBC) is an independent brewery established in May 2011. The company focuses on taking high-quality beers to the market, and the Broken Skull is not different. The demand for the beer was not that high until 2019 after Steve marketed it while in the ring. Since then, more and more people are now buying Broken Skull beer.
Currently, the Broken Skull is found in 16oz four-pack cans. The beer is now available in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas, and Washington D.C. Many more states expected to follow suit.
Characteristics Of Broken Skull IPA
The Broken Skull is distinguishable from other IPAs due to its unique characters, which vary from the bottle to the taste and color. You can easily recognize it from other packs just from the way the can looks. It’s also different from others in flavor and aroma. So, you can still know what you are drinking even if you sit in a dark corner at a party or local pub.
The Can
The Broken Skull is easily identifiable from its 16oz can with a bold name printed on it. There is also a picture of a broken skull. So, you can identify it even if you don’t bother reading the prints on the can. The last feature of the can is the name “Steve Austin” on it. From all perspectives, you cannot mistake it for another or vice versa.
Color
The Broken Skull beer has a hazy medium bright golden-yellow color. When pouring into the glass, you will see moderate active carbon bubbles that rise from the bottom to add up on foam already on the surface. You can also see pale yellow and pale apricot color highlights, though these are not as pronounced as others.
The beer forms a 3-finder tall white foam that quickly fades out to a large patch of a slightly mottled thin film covering the entire surface. It’s also characterized by a thick ring around the glass.
Aroma
Before mentioning the flavor, let’s say something about the aroma because it’s what attracts you to the Broken Skull. The beer has a strong scent of citrus, grapefruit, and pine that lingers in the air. These first tones settle into more mild sweet aromas of toasted bread, grainy malts, and caramels.
Taste
The taste of the Broken Skull beer doesn’t vary much from its aroma. You will be welcomed by a rich flavor profile of bready, caramel, and grainy malts. It’s also accompanied by moderate to intense flavors of citrus/grapefruit pith, citrus/grapefruit zest, pine, and citrus/grapefruit hops. That introduces a slight bitterness that will linger in your palate long after swallowing the beer.
Mouth Feeling
The Broken Skull presents a full-bodied feeling, a little juicy and very lively carbonation. It’s also crispy, with a light amount of dryness in the finish.
Hops
The hops used in the Broken Skull beer are the Citra, Cascade, and Chinook. These hops allow it to deliver a big flavor with an easy finish.
The ABV And IBU
The alcohol by volume (ABV) and international bitterness unit (IBU) represents the quantity of alcohol in a beer and the recommended bitterness level, respectively. You will find beers with different parameters, and they influence your choice.
The Broken Skull alcohol content is just 6.7%, which may be considered above the average alcohol limit. It’s just incredible how a beer of this quality and delightful flavors comes with less ABV.
What States Can You Buy The Broken Skull IPA?
When the Broken Skull first came to th4e market, it was only available in Southern Carolina. But since the demand grew, it has been shipped to many other states. And even many more are expected to come. Currently, the Broken Skull is sold in:
- California
- Oregon
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Vermont
- Rhode Island
- Ohio
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Wisconsin
- Kentucky
- Texas
- Washington D.C.
Food Pairings
The Broken Skull has food pairing just like all other IPAs out there. You can include it on your party table and enjoy it best with many foods. It’s upon you to choose your favorite food to pair with your best beer.
The Broken Skull is best paired with curried dishes and most Thai cuisines such as Monterey, pepper jack, Gorgonzola, Limburger, and cheddar.
Conclusion
The Broken Skull IPA is one of the beers that’s gaining the wind right now. It has demand in different states at an alarming rate, attributed to its aroma and taste. The badass 6.7% ABV beer was designed for working men and women who need a relaxing drink after a long day. Crafted from Citra, Chinook, and Cascade hops, the Broken Skull brings the best flavor profile compared to other IPAs.
