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Tina Charles, the celebrated UConn women’s basketball star and 15-year WNBA veteran, has embarked on a new venture beyond the hardwood by launching 78 Brewing Co. this summer in Connecticut. This innovative step marks her transition from professional athlete to brewery owner, adding a fresh chapter to her accomplished career.
Named in honor of UConn’s remarkable 78-0 undefeated run during Charles’s final two seasons, the brewery pays tribute to a dominant era in women’s college basketball. During that period, Charles was instrumental in securing back-to-back national championships for the Huskies, setting the stage for her selection as the top pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.
Tina Charles’s Journey from Court to Craft
The brewery’s debut offering, the 78-0 Hazy IPA, was released statewide in July, capturing the spirit of those undefeated seasons. Shortly after, Charles introduced SUNSET, a tropical and hop-forward IPA that honors her tenure with the Connecticut Sun. This latest brew was unveiled during the emotional ceremony retiring her jersey at Mohegan Sun Arena, symbolizing both a celebration of her basketball legacy and a toast to her future in brewing.
Through her venture, Charles aims to connect communities and share meaningful stories, stating her intent to “tell stories through beer.” Her entrance into the craft brewing industry is particularly notable as less than 1% of US craft breweries are Black-owned, positioning her as a trailblazer off the court as well.
Throughout her WNBA career, Charles established herself as one of the league’s most dominant players, earning the MVP award in 2012 and leading the league in rebounds four times. She retired holding the all-time records for rebounds and field goals made. This summer, the Connecticut Sun honored her enduring impact by raising her No. 31 jersey to the rafters, closing an illustrious chapter and signaling the start of her new journey as a brewery founder.
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