Tina Charles brews her own history into hazy amber

Inside the dim hum of the taproom, the air hangs thick with the scent of citrus zest and damp wood. Tina Charles stands beside a row of gleaming stainless steel tanks, her hands resting on the cool metal. A year ago, her world was the squeak of sneakers and the thud of a rebound; now, it is the slow, steady rise of yeast in a glass of amber. She has left the court behind to build a brewery, a place where the energy of the arena settles into the liquid clarity of a hazy IPA.

The transition was not a sudden drop but a gentle tilt. As a broadcaster for NBC Sports and TNT, she now watches the game from the other side of the glass, her voice calm and measured. In the quiet hours between broadcasts, she pours hops into the tanks, a tactile ritual that grounds her. This is 78 Brewing Co., a venture born from the same drive that once propelled her to become the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder. The number 78 is not just a label; it is a memory, a nod to the undefeated seasons she helped forge at UConn.

Smoothness in the finish

Charles designed her first brew, the 78-0 Hazy IPA, for those who shy away from bitterness. She wanted a drink that felt like a welcome, not a warning. The flavor profile leans into tropical notes and a crisp, smooth finish, avoiding the harsh bite that often keeps casual drinkers at arm’s length. It is a beer meant for conversation, for the easy laughter of friends gathering in a dimly lit corner. She sees it as a bridge, a way to bring communities together over a shared glass, far removed from the high-pressure intensity of the professional game.

The connection to UConn is personal and profound. It was there that she first discovered craft beer, a discovery that sparked a lifelong affinity for the craft. Now, her creation is available at bars and retail shops across Connecticut, including a special edition can served at Mohegan Sun Arena. The liquid is a tribute to the students rolling back onto campus, a tangible link between her past achievements and the future she is actively shaping. It is a story told through taste, a narrative of resilience and reinvention.

Finding a path forward

Breaking into the brewing industry required more than just passion; it required a mirror. Charles found that reflection in Alisa Bowens-Mercado, a pioneer who opened the first Black-owned brewery in Connecticut. Seeing someone who looked like her succeed in this space gave Charles the confidence to step into a room where she was the exception. It was a moment of recognition, a reminder that representation is not just symbolic but essential for building the courage to enter new territory. She saw a goal she could achieve, a path that seemed attainable rather than mythical.

Her journey is part of a broader, though still small, movement. According to the National Black Brewers Association, fewer than one percent of US breweries are Black-owned, with even fewer led by Black women. Charles is aware of this statistic, yet she does not let it define her limits. She is building her own space, one tank at a time. The brewery is not just a business; it is a statement of presence, a declaration that her story extends far beyond the statistics of a basketball career. It is a new chapter, written in hops and yeast.

Beyond the final whistle

Retirement did not feel like an end, but a release. Charles knew her playing days were winding down long before the final buzzer sounded. She had given everything she had to the game, watching a new generation step forward with the same fire she once carried. The decision to stop playing was a mental clarity that preceded the emotional release. She felt she had fully explored the space of basketball, and now she was ready to explore what lay beyond the court’s perimeter.

As reported by GN sports/basketball, Charles is balancing her brewing ventures with her broadcasting duties and her pursuit of a master’s degree in sports management from UConn. This academic path is not a retreat but a strategic move, aiming for a future role in a WNBA front office. She is building a career that is as layered and complex as the beer she brews. The glass in her hand is clear, the liquid hazy and golden, a perfect reflection of a life in full transition.