Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Partners with Torrance Brewery on Wicked Curve Ale
Yes, you read the headline right. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw — 8-time All-Star, 3-time Cy Young award winner, 2014 NL MVP — is partnering with a local brewing company on a new wheat ale just in time for October. Kershaw and BuzzRock Brewing Co. out of Torrance, Calif. announced the partnership in a press release on Wednesday.
So, what is there to know about “Kershaw’s Wicked Curve” grapefruit wheat ale? Thankfully that’s covered below… at least until I’m able to get my hands on a brew.
Kershaw’s Wicked Curve is a citrus forward wheat ale made with fresh grapefruit. It has a 5.3 percent ABV and 18 IBUs. Cascade hops gives it subtle pine and citrus aromas and wheat barley malt makes for a soft and creamy mouthfeel. It is light and warm weather friendly, but appropriately refreshing all year round.
Ale 4 Purpose
The most important part of this ale, crafted by Michael Zislis, is what it means for Clayton and wife Ellen’s charity Kershaw’s Challenge. 100% of royalties from sales will benefit vulnerable and at-risk children through Kershaw’s Challenge.
While Clayton wasn’t able to drink and “let it burn” with his teammates as the Dodgers clinched the NL West crown for the 8th straight season earlier this week, the release of his own brew has to ease the sting a bit.
Kersh had this to say about the announcement.
“I am so proud of Kershaw’s Wicked Curve and excited that a passion project like this will ultimately help children in need through Kershaw’s Challenge. Working with Michael Zislis and his team has been a cool experience and I’m excited to see Wicked Curve grow for years to come.”
So where can you pick it up?
Kershaw’s Wicked Curve is a craft beer developed in partnership with Master Brewer Michael Zislis and his BuzzRock Brewing Co. in Torrance. The smooth, full bodied, refreshing grapefruit wheat ale is currently available in 19.2 oz. tall stadium cans exclusively at BuzzRock Brewing Co. at The Brews Hall in Torrance, Calif., and in four packs of tall stadium cans at Gelson’s grocery stores throughout Southern California for $13.99 each.
In addition to serving Kershaw’s Wicked Curve, fans can purchase limited edition t-shirts and Kershaw-signed crowlers at The Brews Hall with 100% of proceeds from sales benefitting Kershaw’s Challenge.
“It was an exciting challenge to craft a beer that would have Clayton’s name on it,” said Zislis. “As a legacy project for the Kershaw family, and one of the many ways they work to raise funds to help children who desperately need help, it had to be exceptional. And, it is.”
Zislis brewed his first beer at the age of 13 for a middle school science project — or at least that’s what he told his parents — was a master brewer by the time he was a student at USC. He and his brother David opened Manhattan Beach Brewing (now BREWCO) in the late 80’s, which was one of the first craft breweries in southern California.
Kershaw’s Wicked Curve will also soon be available on draft at The Brews Hall, Shade Hotels, Rock & Brews restaurant locations throughout Southern California, and at Rock’N Fish, The Strand House restaurant and BREWCO in Manhattan Beach.
Fans can learn about events, offers, and follow developments on Instagram @thebrewshall and @buzzrockbrewingco.