There are many stats that pitchers are scrutinized and measured by – wins, Strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, FIP, and even pitch speed. But Dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is looking to add a new metric to his career stats this season: ABV.
The eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young award-winning lefty has teamed-up with Buzzrock Brewing Co., a brewery based in Torrance California, to create a signature craft beer in the citrus wheat beer (Weisse) style.
The new brew is being made available on-tap at Buzzrock’s Brew House restaurant on Del Amo Circle in Torrance and several partnered restaurants throughout Southern California, as well as seeing limited canned distribution through grocer chain Gelson’s Markets.
The brew, dubbed ‘Kershaw’s Wicked Curve,’ is a 5.3% ABV (alcohol by volume) ale, flavored with hops and grapefruit, and is stated as being “light and warm-weather friendly, but appropriately refreshing all year round.”
In the contemporary era of brand-building and mass media, Kershaw is no stranger to public-facing endeavors. He and wife Ellen excel in making philanthropic displays for the betterment of the community, such as Kershaw’s Challenge and PingPong4aPurpose, which serves vulnerable and at-risk children in Los Angeles and abroad.
In 2012, Kershaw won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, an honor bestowed by MLB in recognition of humanitarian service and community involvement. Befitting his philanthropy, 100 percent of sales of Kershaw’s Wicked Curve ale will go to his charity foundation to directly benefit the community.
The ways in which athletes build their legacy inside and outside of the sport they play is an interesting study. Kershaw has endeavored to build a charitable foundation that will serve the community throughout his lifetime and leave positive change well beyond. Partnering with a craft brewer to catch the attention of beer enthusiasts certainly helps his legacy too. But whether or not Clayton Kershaw will one day rival the Titan of athlete-branded beverages, Arnold Palmer, remains to be seen.