El Segundo Brewing

The taste crafted by a Cicerone, often called a sommelier of the beer industry, at "El Segundo Brewing"

El Segundo Brewing Company

Founded: 2010

Headquarters: El Segundo, California

Founder: Rob Croxall

Co-owner and Chief Business Officer: Tom Kelly

Title

El Segundo is a brewery founded in 2010 by Rob Croxall in El Segundo, California, with the goal of "brewing beer for everyone to enjoy."
Since 2011, Tom Kelly, a certified Cicerone (which is considered the sommelier exam of the beer industry), has joined and showcased his expertise. Emphasizing quality, people, hops, and beer freshness, the brewery focuses on brewing vibrant IPAs with a strong emphasis on fresh hop aroma.

Adhering to our four principles
Captivating beer fans

Founder Rob was inspired to start a brewery after being deeply impressed by the rapidly growing craft beer scene in San Diego at the time.

Rob's journey as a homebrewer, driven by a spirit of inquiry, began in 2010 with his family and friends.

【Four Guiding Business Principles】

・Consistent independence

・Prioritizing quality, people, hops, and beer freshness above all else

・Brewing beer that everyone, customers and staff alike, can enjoy

・Restoring the flavor and diversity of beer

By adhering to these principles since its inception, the brewery has attracted many locals and continued brewing while being supported by the community. From the beginning, Rob focused on West Coast IPAs, strongly emphasizing brewing intensely flavored IPAs that highlight the aroma of fresh hops. The brewery's most popular beer, "El Segundo Mayberry IPA," is now a classic West Coast IPA style.

Another key player indispensable to El Segundo's story is Tom Kelly, Chief Business Officer.

He joined the brewery as a core member shortly after its founding. As a co-owner, he fully demonstrated his expertise as the brewery's sole sales director.

From 2011, he became a certified Cicerone, often called the sommelier exam of the beer industry, and then served as an instructor for that program for two years.

Collaboration Beer with
Pro Wrestlers Gains Popularity

　Rob, whose brewery upholds its own beliefs, is also an active full-time member of the local brewers' association.

His achievements in 2019 were particularly remarkable: he opened "The Slice and Pint," a restaurant where customers can enjoy freshly baked pizza and freshly brewed beer, near the brewery, and expanded sales across California, then further into Maine, New Jersey, and New York.

Amidst this success, his brewery caught the attention of former WWE wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, famous for his post-match beer can performance, leading to the announcement of a collaboration beer. This collaboration quickly gained popularity, expanding support even among wrestling fans who were unfamiliar with craft beer.

The "Broken Skull IPA," co-developed with him, boasts an excellent balance and abundant flavor, making it popular not only locally but also in Japan.