Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is one of the best catchers in Texas Rangers history, and for his next play, the Hall of Famer is betting on beer.
13 Gold is a 4.3-percent, easy drinking lager named for the number of Rawlings Gold Glove Awards Rodriguez won in his career. Ten of those came consecutive years from 1992 to 2001 during his stint with the Texas Rangers.
The beer, brewed by Nine Band Brewing in Allen, is currently available in cans and on draft throughout Dallas-Fort Worth — including at Globe Life Park in Arlington. According to Keith Ashley, owner of Nine Band Brewing, brewers worked through several recipes, including an India pale ale and Mexican lager, before Pudge decided on the current style. Pudge was involved in sampling the various recipes, as well as 13 Gold's inaugural brew day and canning, Ashley says.
Why a beer?
"Believe me, I love other spirits, too — and I actually endorse Mayor Tequila," Rodriguez says, "but when it comes down to doing my own, I wanted to come up with a beer that is refreshing, that connects with baseball, and where my fans can enjoy and drink responsibly."
Ashley expects to start distributing 13 Gold to Rodriguez's native Puerto Rico in the next month.
This isn't Rodriguez's first foray into food and beverage. Last summer, he opened Pudge's Pizza at the Texas Live complex in Arlington near the ballpark.