NEW HAVEN, CT — WNBA star and former UConn women's basketball standout Tina Charles has entered the craft beer industry with the launch of 78 Brewing Co., a Connecticut-based brewery whose first release pays tribute to one of the Huskies' most celebrated achievements.
Charles, a two-time NCAA champion at UConn, the WNBA's all-time rebounding leader and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, announced Monday that she is the founder and chief executive officer of 78 Brewing Co.
The company's inaugural beer, 78-0 Hazy IPA, commemorates the UConn women's basketball team's historic 78-game winning streak and back-to-back undefeated national championship seasons from 2001-02 and 2002-03.
The beer is brewed at East Rock Brewing Company in New Haven and features Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops. It has a 6.5 percent alcohol by volume and is described as having citrus and tropical fruit flavors. The can design incorporates shades of blue with gold accents, two stars representing the consecutive national championships and the phrase, "Chase Perfection, Catch Excellence," a reference to longtime UConn coach Geno Auriemma's philosophy.
Charles said she founded the company to celebrate stories of excellence while addressing the lack of diversity in the beer industry.
"I've always believed the best stories are shared over a great beer, and that idea inspired 78 Brewing," Charles said. "I was further motivated to get involved in the category after learning how underrepresented Black women are in the beer industry. We make up less than one percent of it."
Tim Wilson, co-owner and brewmaster at East Rock Brewing Company, said working with Charles on the inaugural beer reflected her attention to detail and commitment to creating a brand rooted in Connecticut.
Auriemma said the brewery's first beer honors a defining chapter in Charles' career at UConn.
"We are really happy that Tina chose to model her company's initial beer offering after an impactful time in her life playing at UConn," Auriemma said in a statement.
That's stellar praise from a wine guy.
The brewery also plans to support charitable and athletic initiatives.
Charles said a portion of proceeds from 78-0 Hazy IPA will be donated to UConn's name, image and likeness fund to benefit current and future student-athletes. She also plans to share a portion of the beer's revenue with her teammates from the undefeated championship teams.
UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict said the donation reflects Charles' continued commitment to the university and its student-athletes.
The beer is expected to be distributed across Connecticut this summer by West Haven-based Star Distributors and will be sold at select retailers, as well as at Mohegan Sun Arena and Gampel Pavilion. The company said additional beer releases inspired by other notable stories are planned.
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