Tina Charles, a former UConn women's basketball standout and WNBA MVP, has turned her passion for basketball into a craft beverage, introducing her second beer, "Sunset" Hazy IPA, to the market.
The new brew is a bright, citrus‑forward hazy IPA with tropical fruit notes and a 6.5% ABV, its design echoing the Connecticut Sun's color palette. Charles described the flavor as a tribute to the team's vibrant spirit and the fans who have supported her throughout her career.
Launch Event at Mohegan Sun Arena
Charles will unveil "Sunset" on August 25, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena, where she will be inducted into the Sun Legends alongside a game against the Chicago Sky. The ceremony marks both the beer's debut and the final season of the Connecticut Sun before the franchise relocates to Houston.
The timing is symbolic: the Sun's last home game before the move will serve as a backdrop for the beer's release, reinforcing the connection between Charles' athletic legacy and the community she helped build.
The launch also celebrates the broader story of 78 Brewing Co., the brewery Charles founded in July 2026. Its first offering, "78‑0," commemorates UConn's back‑to‑back undefeated national championships during Charles' junior and senior years.
After its debut, "Sunset" will roll out to additional retailers across Connecticut later this fall, giving fans more opportunities to enjoy the brew that honors the Sun's past and its future.