A Brew Steeped in History
Tina Charles, the UConn women's basketball icon who dominated the college game before a 14‑year WNBA career, is adding a new chapter to her story with the launch of 'Sunset' Hazy IPA. The citrus‑forward brew, crafted with Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops at 6.5% ABV, follows her debut beer '78‑0', released earlier this year to honor the back‑to‑back undefeated national championships she helped the Huskies achieve.
The latest offering is more than a beverage; it is a visual and symbolic homage to the Connecticut Sun. The can’s orange and yellow palette mirrors the franchise’s colors, while the flavor profile — bright citrus and tropical fruit notes — evokes the energy of the team’s fan base. Charles says the beer is dedicated to the Sun’s supporters, players and the community that cheered her rise from college phenom to WNBA star.
The debut will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena on August 25, 2026, during the Sun’s matchup against Chicago. That night also marks Charles’s induction into the Connecticut Sun Legends, a ceremony that caps a career that began with a Rookie of the Year award in 2010 and culminated in a 2012 WNBA MVP season. The arena, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, will host the event before the franchise relocates to Houston later that year.
For Charles, the beer launch is a natural extension of her lifelong connection to basketball and to the region that shaped her. The 'Sunset' IPA not only celebrates her on‑court achievements but also underscores her ongoing influence off the court, as she continues to blend sport, entrepreneurship and community engagement. As the Sun prepare for their final season in Connecticut, the brew serves as a toast to a legacy that will endure in both the hardwood and the glass.