A brew that scores
Former UConn women’s basketball star Tina Charles unveiled her first craft beer, 78‑0 Hazy IPA, at East Rock Brewing in New Haven, turning a personal milestone into a commercial venture.
The brew commemorates Charles’s flawless college record — three straight national championships and a 39‑0 run — while also marking her retirement from professional basketball earlier this year.
Charles, who is also the WNBA’s all‑time leader in rebounds and second in scoring, announced that proceeds from the beer will be split among her former teammates and the UConn Foundation, underscoring a collaborative spirit that extends beyond the court.
Born to a Jamaican mother and a Trinidadian father, Charles brings a Caribbean heritage to the project, a detail she says influences the beer’s flavor profile and branding.
The 78‑0 Hazy IPA will roll out in select retail outlets across Connecticut, at UConn home games, and during Connecticut Sun matches, even as the Sun prepare to relocate to Houston after the 2026 season.
Reflecting on her next chapter, Charles noted that mentorship from Alisa Bowens‑Mercado, founder of Rhythm Brewing Co., shaped her approach to brewing, and she plans to expand her footprint in the industry while staying connected to the basketball community.
Prominent figures from the UConn basketball family, including head coach Geno Auriemma and former teammates Jen Rizzotti, Heather Buck, Kalana Greene, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Jessica Moore, Maya Moore and Jamelle Elliott, attended the launch, highlighting the strong network that surrounds the new beverage.