Retired WNBA & UConn Star Tina Charles Launches 78 Brewing Co. Beer Brand
Retired WNBA star and UConn legend Tina Charles is hopping in the beer business with her new 78 Brewing Co. brand.
Black News 
Tina Charles was part of one of collegiate basketball’s greatest championship runs as a member of the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s team. Tina Charles is embarking upon a new endeavor harkening back to her basketball days via a new beer brand, 78 Brewing Co.
Tina Charles spoke with USA Today to share wider details about 78 Brewing Co., with the name of the brand inspired by UConn’s historic 78-0 back-to-back NCAA championship run. Charles, who was teammates at the university with retired basketball star and activist Maya Moore, is now looking to score in another arena that doesn’t routinely see Black ownership, much less women.
“I’m just trying to tell stories through beer and just trying to bring communities together,” Charles told USA TODAY Sports and referencing her brand’s Hazy IPA. “The students are rolling back in for UConn, and I really hope it’s a beer that’s very attractive to them.”
As a junior and senior at UConn, Charles was instrumental in helping coach Geno Auriemma record the amazing feat of two straight undefeated seasons. Charles, who went on to have a successful WNBA career as an eight-time All-Star, the 2010 Rookie Of The Year honor, and named to the All-WNBA First Team five times, is now placing her focus on the beer world after discovering a love for beer after she turned 21.
“I love a good hazy IPA. I love the citrus and tropical notes. It was always a beverage that I would gravitate towards when I was with friends or family or just hanging out. It was always around for celebratory moments,” Charles said. “I wanted to make a beer that was for non-beer lovers and non-IPA lovers. It’s very approachable, it’s very crushable, and it doesn’t have that bitterness bite. I just wanted a beer that’s more on the smooth finish and crisp side, which is what 78-0 is.”
Charles is in rare company as less than 1% of breweries are Black-owned and even less than that owned by Black women. The beer is available across Connecticut and at Mohegan Sun Arena, the home arena of Charles’ former team the Connecticut Sun, where it’s served in a special edition can.
Learn more about 78 Brewing Co. here.
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Photo: Screenshot / @78brewingco
