NBA star Chris Bosh has a passion for beer

When Chris Bosh hosted a block party for his birthday, he included a growler of beer with every invitation.

While basketball is the passion and profession for the 6-foot-11 Miami Heat forward, homebrewing and craft beer has become a hobby for the two-time former NBA champion. Bosh said he even has a portion of his house dedicated to his craft beer collection and homebrew equipment — he’s currently carbonating an Oktoberfest-style beer.

“I actually got Dwyane (Wade) to drink a sip,” Bosh said over the phone after a Saturday practice. “That’s big time right there.”

While Bosh said he’s long been a beer appreciator, his passion for the fermented drink grew during the 2013 holidays when he was gifted a homebrew kit.

His wife ended up making bottle labels for his first brew.

“It blew my mind — I didn’t even know you could homebrew,” Bosh said. “I was very fascinated by the instructions and the whole process.”

But his initial beer didn’t turn out too well.

“It was terrible,” Bosh admits. “I didn’t know about temperature control. But I’m competitive and kind of a perfectionist. It sparked my curiosity to learn more about beer.”

Bosh continued to homebrew, improving the craft with each batch. He’s made India pale ales and porters.

He vacationed in Belgium and Germany to try out European beer halls. He also started picking the brains of professional brewers whenever he stopped in a taproom.

“I like to hear the mistakes they make and things they wish they hadn’t done,” Bosh said. “You get better by learning from mistakes."

Bosh recently got to pick the brain of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery founder Sam Calagione when filming an episode of the Web series “That’s Odd, Let’s Drink It.” Together they brewed a special barbecue-inspired stout in the back of a limousine in Los Angeles traffic. Bosh named the beer Daddy Jack Stout.

Bosh got to taste the beer’s wort — he said it’s the best he’s ever tasted — but is waiting to taste the finish product.

Beer, after all, has become one of his passions.

“When I first met my wife she didn’t know anything about basketball or beer,” Bosh said. “She now knows a lot about both and she loves that I found things I’m passionate about.”

CHRIS BOSH’S ULTIMATE SIX PACK

Here’s what the Miami Heat star, homebrewer and craft beer aficionado said is his ideal six pack:

60 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head of Milton, Delaware.

Pop’s Porter from Wynwood Brewing Co. of Miami.

La Rubia American blonde ale from Wynwood.

Double Chocolate Stout from Rogue Ales of Newport, Oregon.

Last Snow Porter from Funky Buddha Brewery of Oakland Park, Florida.

Altbairisch Dunkel lager from Ayinger Brewery of Aying, Germany.

About this series

The #Beer Insider is a series that looks at brewery trends and news around the country.

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