At a watch party for their opening game of the 2021-22 regular season, the Rockets unveiled “Clutch City Lager” — a new team-themed beer developed in collaboration with Houston’s Karbach Brewing.
Clutch City, of course, is a reference to Houston’s championship teams in 1994 and 1995. As a result, the beer’s branding includes the classic Rockets logo and ketchup-and-mustard coloring. Karbach also offers team-themed beers for the Houston Astros (Crawford Bock) and the Texas A&M University Aggies (12th Man Lager).
The beer was officially released to the public at Wednesday’s watch party at Karbach, where fans were able to sip on the new lager while watching Houston’s season opener at Minnesota. Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Rockets, was on hand to deliver the announcement, while former players Robert Horry and Vernon Maxwell also offered on-stage commentary and signed autographs for fans.
“I actually do like this beer, it’s really good,” said Horry, a seven-time NBA champion. “I’m not just saying that because I’m sitting up here. I told them, ‘They better ship some to my house monthly, or I’m going to have to come back over here and see somebody.’ But when you have two great partners come together, you can make something great.”
The beer can be purchased during upcoming Rockets home games at Toyota Center, and it will be released to bars, restaurants, and stores throughout the Houston area over the coming weeks. Partial proceeds from sales of the beer will benefit the team’s Clutch City Foundation.
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Meet Clutch City Lager. Robert Horry and Vernon Maxwell are here with #Rockets president Gretchen Sheirr (@GSheirr) for the release and tonight’s watch party. pic.twitter.com/4a3P66ql7e
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 20, 2021
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